PMP Certification is one of the toughest tests, and aspirants need to be well prepared and meet the pmp eligibility criteria. The eligibility for PMP Certification depends on educational qualifications and work experience. A secondary degree is the minimum educational eligibility required to appear for the exams. However, since applying for exams does not guarantee success; education, experience and training also play a very important role. Since the certification deals with both theory and practical, there is also a requirement for practical projects as part of the training. 
What is PMP Certification?
The Project Management Professional (PMP) is a globally recognized certification awarded to professionals who have met the eligibility criteria and passed the PMP certification exam.
PMI, the leading professional association for project management, influences the career growth of project leaders in the industry. In this way, organizations get people who can execute projects well. The demand for project management professionals is on the rise. Research indicates that employers will need to fill about 2.2 million new project-oriented roles annually by 2027.
Since it is the most desirable and recognized certification in the project management industry worldwide, there is a strict PMP certification eligibility criteria.
There are two reasons for the PMP eligibility requirements. Firstly, project management is a serious profession; and, secondly, project management requires solid theoretical knowledge, and understanding of its techniques.
A PMP certification in a resume makes the employer more interested in the certified professional since they know that the certified professional has met the rigorous PMP certification eligibility criteria, and passed the exam.
Therefore, before applying for the PMP examination, one must make sure that they fulfil the requirements of the PMP exam and other basic PMP requirements. Ypu can prepare for PMP exam with PMP Exam Preparation course as there you can get a proper guidance and tips & tricks on how to pass your pmp exam eligibility.
Also Read: Lean Six Sigma vs PMP
PMP Certification Eligibility Requirements is as follows:
| PMP Eligibility Requirements | Secondary Degree | Four-year Degree |
| Hours Leading and Directing Projects | 7,500 hours | 4,500 hours |
| Hours of Project Management Education | 35 hours | 35 hours |
- A secondary degree
- 7,500 hours leading and directing projects OR 60 months of project management experience
- 35 hours of Project management education
Or, if the candidate holds a four-year bachelor’s degree:
- Four-year degree
- 4,500 hours leading and directing projects OR 36 months of project management experience
- 35 hours of project management education
Or, if the candidate holds a post graduate or master's degree:
- 24 months of project management experience
- 35 hours of project management education
What are 4500/7500 hours of project management experience, how is it counted, and how should one gain it?
When managing projects, it is crucial to understand the purpose of the project - knowing why the project is existing, benefit it carries to the organization and the goals it focuses to target. This helps not only manage the project effectively but also make decisions that are going along with the project’s theme.
What to do if one doesn't meet PMP Certification Requirements?
Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM®) is the more suitable certification for you at this point. Suppose a professional cannot meet the PMP certification requirements. In that case, they can enter a project management role with the CAPM certification and later opt for the PMP certification once the relevant experience is gained.
Also Read: Project Activities
PMP Certification Application Process
Acquiring a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification is a crucial step in advancing your project management career. If you've determined that you meet the requirements, the next step is to prepare and submit your application. Below is a comprehensive guide to simplify the application process.
Step 1: Get your Documents Ready
Collecting all relevant information about your educational background and work experience before beginning your application is crucial. Adequate preparation will ensure that the process proceeds more quickly and smoothly.
Document your training and experience in the following format:
Project Management Training
You must complete 35 formal project management education contact hours to qualify for PMP eligibility. Document the following:
- Training Provider Name(s): Mention the institution or training provider where you received the training.
- Course Title or Program Name: Specify the name of the course or certification program.
- Total Training Hours: Mention the number of hours the training covers (must total at least 35 hours).
Professional Project Experience
Include the details of the projects you’ve handled across various roles. Structure this section carefully:
- Name of Organizations with roles and responsibilities performed: List all companies or clients you have worked with. Clearly describe your role in each project, highlighting the tasks and responsibilities you managed.
- Duration of Projects: Mention each project's start and end dates (month and year format).
Step 2: Create Your Profile on the PMI website
Create your online profile on the official Project Management Institute (PMI) website. This is the first step to your certification.
- If you are already a PMI member, you will still need to create an online account using your email address.
- Once your profile is set up, you can access the PMP application portal and other member-specific resources.
Step 3: Complete the Application and Submit it.
After completing your application, you are ready to start filling out your application form:
- Log in to your PMI account and scroll to the PMP Certification page.
- Click “Apply for PMP” to begin filling out the application form.
- Enter your details carefully by understanding the checkboxes
- Use the 'Save as Draft' option for more time or to save additional documents. You can return to your application later without losing any entered data.
- Now cross-check and submit your application
- After submission, PMI will review your application. This typically takes 5 business days.
- Once your application is approved, you will be prompted to pay the examination fee.
- PMI members enjoy a discounted fee; consider joining before applying if you're not already a member.
Step 4: Complete Your PMP Exam
After your application has been approved and payment is complete, the final step is to schedule your PMP examination:
- Choose between a test centre-based exam or an online proctored exam based on your convenience.
- You can select the nearest test location and time slot or set up your home or office environment for the online version.
PMP Training Costs
The training cost varies from country to country, as well as the mode of training, like online classes or Instructor-led training.
The following chart will give an idea of the PMP Certification training costs across different countries.
| Country | Currency | Price of Instructor-led Training |
| India | INR | 10,000- 40,000 |
| South America | USD | 600-650 |
| UK | USD | 250 - 1500 |
| USA | USD | 400-1200 |
| Arabian Countries | USD | 1950-2,000 |
The above pricing varies depending on various factors, such as PMI members and non-PMI members, training cost, training cost with exam cost, mode of training, and training organization.
Also Read: What is A Project?
PMP Certification Exam Pattern
| Domain | Domain Weightage | Approx. no. of Questions | Focus Area |
| People | 42% | ~60 | Conflict resolution, Stakeholder engagement, team performance |
| Process | 50% | ~60 | Methodology application, Project lifecycle, Resource management, Project Cost Management, Quality Assurance, and techniques like the Zero Defect Concept play a pivotal role in delivering successful project outcomes. |
| Business Environment | 8% | ~60 | Organizational governance, business alignment, Compliance |
Also Read: CPM vs PMP
Frequently Asked Questions
1) Can I apply for the PMP Exam if I am not a project manager?
A project manager title is not mandatory, but your project management experience is. Apart from the required academic qualifications, you must also have project management experience, as detailed in the Eligibility for PMP 2025 section above.
Also Read: Associate Project Manager Salary
2) Can I use my projects in any industry for my PMP eligibility?
Yes, your project management experience can be in any industry sector within the techno-management function, including construction, IT, manufacturing, transportation, healthcare, etc.
Read More: Project Time Management
3) Can I apply for the PMP exam if I only have experience managing operations?
Project management differs from operations management, where operations are routine, while projects have a time frame and set start and end dates that PMI considers. However, managing various operations, process improvements, migrations, upgrades, or similar tasks that count across projects can count as your project management experience.
Related Article: Responsibility Assignment Matrix
4) How do I prove PMP experience?
The PMI conducts a random audit before the exam by conducting a verification check with a supervisor or stakeholder to validate the experience you have mentioned in your form.
Also Read: Stakeholder Expectations
5) How to get 35 contact hours to meet PMP Requirement?
You must undergo the required training course from a recognized professional PM Education Training Institute. If you've already done with training, collect and submit the necessary copies of certificates and letters from the training institute for the courses mentioned in your application.
You can check out our PMP Certification Training which is delivered by PMI® Authorized Training Partners (PMI® - ATP) with a 100% Money Back Guarantee and 24*7 support on each step.
The Continuing Certification Requirements (CCR) program renews PMI certification every three years. In addition to 35 hours of project management education and to work directly on projects, you must also pass a certification with at least 60 PDUs, (Professional Development Units) that require mentoring and training sought by PMI Registered Education Providers (REP) or non-REPs.
Fuel Your Research Journey – Dive Into the Latest Project Management Research Topics.
6) What are the ways to gather required experience for PMP Certification Requirements?
- Initiation into your routine work to manage tasks adds to your PM experience.
- Volunteer experience through volunteer opportunities to manage "project-like" efforts, including community development.
- Engaging in part-time side hustle hours to lead or assist in project management efforts.
- Change your job/role with project management responsibilities to planning, controlling, and monitoring functions without having a project manager title.
