How to apply for the PMP exam: the PMP application step by step
Last checked October 23, 2026 · Sources: PMI’s PMP certification page and new exam page; exam fees as reported ($445 member, $675 non-member since August 6, 2026).
The PMP application is the longest part of the process. You describe your project experience and your 35 contact hours to PMI, wait for approval, then pay and schedule. Do the work in this order and the one-year clock only starts when you are ready.
What you need before you apply
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Experience with a four-year degree | 36 months leading projects within the last ten years |
| Experience without a four-year degree | 60 months leading projects within the last ten years |
| Education | 35 contact hours of project management education, or a current CAPM |
| Exam fee | About $445 for PMI members, $675 for non-members (reported) |
| After approval | One-year eligibility period with up to three attempts |
Eligibility from PMI; fees as reported.
The PMP application step by step
Create an account on pmi.org. Consider joining as a member first, because the reported member exam fee is $230 lower than the non-member fee ($445 against $675).
Finish your 35 contact hours, or hold a current CAPM, before you apply. Keep the certificate.
List the projects you led, your role, your dates and the project details. Experience is counted in months, within the last ten years.
Submit the application through PMI. PMI reviews it and notifies you. Some applications are selected for audit, so keep your supporting documents and contacts to hand.
Once approved, you pay the exam fee and receive an eligibility ID, which you use to schedule.
Book at a Pearson VUE test center or online with a proctor. Your one-year eligibility period and three attempts start from approval.
Tips that avoid delays
- Describe projects clearly. PMI wants experience leading and directing projects. Describe your role, not just the project’s goal.
- Track your dates precisely. Months of experience, and the ten-year window, are what PMI counts.
- Keep your 35-hour certificate. You will need it if PMI audits the application. If you used PM PrepCast, download it before all PrepCast access ends on December 4, 2026.
- Do not apply early. The one-year eligibility period starts at approval, so apply when you are ready to study.
Common questions about the PMP application
How long does approval take?
PMI does not state a fixed time in the sources we reviewed, and it can take longer if your application is audited. Check PMI’s site for the current estimate before you plan your study around it.
Do my past jobs need to say project manager?
No. PMI looks for experience leading and directing projects, regardless of title, so describe what you did rather than what you were called.
What happens in a PMI audit?
PMI may ask you to provide your 35-hour certificate, proof of your degree and confirmation from people who can vouch for your project experience. Keep them ready before you submit.
Should I join PMI before applying?
At the reported fees, yes: membership costs about $160 a year, and the member fee is $230 less than the non-member fee.