Introduction
The process of getting the PMP Certification consists of fulfilling the eligibility criteria, clearing the exam and then maintaining the certification. The certification validates your skills as a project manager and helps you boost your resume in the job market. To get PMP certified, you must meet education/experience criteria (e.g., degree + 3 years experience or diploma + 5 years experience), complete 35 contact hours of training, apply online via PMI's website with project details, pay fees, pass the rigorous exam (covering People, Process, Business Environment domains), and maintain it by earning Professional Development Units (PDUs). The process involves applying, preparing with study guides like the PMBOK® Guide, scheduling, and passing the test, taking several months.
Let us see how you can get your PMP Certification:
Let us see how you can get your PMP Certification:
How to Get PMP Certification: Requirements and Process
Getting the PMP Certification is a collective process of meeting the eligibility criteria, submitting the application and then cracking the exam. Let us see in detail the whole process:
Eligibility criteria for PMP Certification
The eligibility for the PMP Examination is based on these three factors:
- Educational background
- Project related work experience
- Formal project management education
Project management educational background and project related work experience are interlinked.
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| Educational Background | Project related work exp |
| If you have secondary degree (high school diploma or associate degree) | You require minimum five years/60 months non-overlapping experience in project management |
| If you have four year degree (bachelors or global equivalent) | You require three years/36 months non-overlapping experience in project management |
| If you have post graduate degree from GAC accredited program | You require 2 years/24 months non-overlapping experience in project management |
Moreover, to give the exam you need to pass the eligibility criteria with 35 hours of PMP Training from a recognised institution. This will count as formal education in project management. You can find more about the PMP Certification: Costs and Prerequisites for 2026 to better plan for your certification journey.
Also Read: Google Project Management Certificate vs PMP
Fill the application
After you have met the eligibility for PMP certification, you are required to submit your application for it. Make an account with PMI and get started. You will be required to fill in details like your educational background, your work experience. Once it is approved, you are required to pay the examination fee and schedule your exam. The examination fee for PMI members is: $425 and for non-members it is: $575.
Also Read: Lean Six Sigma vs PMP
Prepare
Now you are required to prepare for the exam and also earn hours in formal education in PMP. You have two methods to prepare for the exam: self-learning and training programs. By embracing a mindset based on the Zero Defect Concept, you can ensure that your preparation is thorough and error-free, leading to better results in the exam. You can prepare for the PMP exam through self-study or by joining a formal training program, but regardless of the approach, you must complete 35 hours of project management education. Depending on your background, it may also help to understand how PMP compares with other methodologies, especially Agile — which is increasingly integrated into the PMP exam content. For a broader perspective, check out our PgMP versus PMP guide, which also touches on Agile frameworks in relation to PMP. Proper preparation is essential to pass the PMP exam. Focus on the right study materials, understand the exam format, and give yourself adequate time to prepare.
Key Study Materials:
- PMBOK® Guide (7th edition): The official guide from PMI that outlines project management principles, standards, and best practices.
- PMI Agile Practice Guide: Covers agile methodologies and how to apply them in project management scenarios.
- Practice Exams & Mock Tests: Help you familiarise yourself with the exam format, identify weak areas, and build confidence before the actual test.
Study Focus:
- Predictive, Agile, and Hybrid Approaches: Understand when and how to apply different project management methodologies based on project requirements.
- Situational Questions: The exam emphasises real-world scenarios, so practice analysing situations and choosing the best course of action.
Typical Prep Time: Most candidates require 6–10 weeks of dedicated study to adequately prepare for the exam, depending on their prior experience and study schedule.
Give the exam
You can give your PMP Exam online or offline as well. The online exam is proctored in collaboration with Pearson Vue and for the offline exam, you need to visit the exam centre. The exam will be four hours comprising 200 questions. Out of 200 questions, 25 are not scored. and also know about the plan of work.
Download the certificate
Once you have cleared the PMP Exam, you can download your PMP Certificate in a few simple steps.
Visit the pmi.org website
Log in with your account
Navigate to the certificate page
Download the certificate you gained from PMI
Also Read: PMP Study Books
Moreover, you will get a digital badge too, within two weeks after gaining your PMP Certification. You will get an email with your badge, you can accept it and download it to share on different social media platforms.
Audit and approval
Some applicants are selected for audit, where documentation of education and experience is verified. If selected, provide the required documents within the allotted timeframe. PMI typically completes the audit review within a week or so after submission.
Validity and maintenance of PMP Certificate
The PMP certificate is valid for three years. You are required to gain 60 PDUs within this span in order to maintain your certification.
Exam scheduling and format
Once approved, pay the exam fee and schedule your exam with Pearson VUE. The PMP exam is a computer-based test with 180 questions to be completed in 230 minutes, covering domains such as People, Process, and Business Environment, aligned with the PMI Talent Framework. You usually have about a year from the date of application approval to schedule the exam, and you may attempt the exam up to three times within a year if needed
