PMP Exam Certification Fees - Complete Guide 2026

The PMP exam certification fee in 2026 is an important consideration for anyone planning to become a certified project manager. The exam typically costs around $405 for PMI members and $555 for non-members.

However, the total cost of certification can go higher, often ranging from about $555 to more than $1500, depending on training, membership, and application fees. These additional costs usually include the required 35-hour training, PMI membership charges, and a small application fee, which can sometimes help reduce the overall expense.

If you are planning to start your PMP journey, you can explore upGrad KnowledgeHut PMP Certification Training to get the right guidance and preparation support.

 

The Project Management Institute (PMI®) offers two options for registering for the PMP® certification exam: one with PMI® membership and one without. To be eligible for the PMP® exam, you must complete at least 35 hours of project management education. The PMP exam price varies based on PMI membership status.  

Overview of the PMP Exam 

The Project Management Professional (PMP)® exam, offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI)®, is one of the most recognized credentials for project managers worldwide. The exam consists of 180 questions to be completed in 230 minutes. These questions are a mix of multiple-choice, multiple responses, matching, hotspot, and fill-in-the-blank formats. 

Out of the 180 questions, 175 are scored, and 5 are unscored pretest questions used to evaluate future exam content. The exam is based on three performance domains: People (42%), Process (50%), and Business Environment (8%). 

You also get two 10-minute breaks, but only in the computer-based exam. The breaks occur after completing each of the first two sections. 

To qualify, candidates must have either: 

• A four-year degree, 36 months of project leadership experience, and 35 hours of project management education/training 
  OR 
• A high school diploma or associate degree, 60 months of experience, and 35 hours of education. 

The PMP exam is available online (proctored) and at test centers. Once you pass, your certification is valid for three years. 

Here’s a breakdown of the costs and PMP exam fees you can expect: 

PMP® Certification Training:

• Classroom Training: $500 to $2,000
• Online Training: $200 to $500

PMI Membership Fees (also referred to as PMI membership cost):  

• New Member Fee: $129
• One-Time Application Fee: $10
• Annual Renewal Fee: $164

PMP® Exam Fees:

Online Computer-Based Testing:

• PMI® Members: $405
• Non-Members: $555

Paper-Based Testing:

• PMI® Members: $400
• Non-Members: $250

Note: Paper-based testing is available only for candidates who live at least 300 km from the nearest Prometric center or have difficulty crossing their country's borders. Becoming a PMI® member can save you $11 on the PMP exam fee.

To prepare for the PMP® exam, the PMBOK Guide is essential:

• Hard Copy: $47.98
• Soft Copy: Free for PMI® members

For flexible learning, consider enrolling in our online PMP bootcamps, which offer comprehensive preparation for the certification exam.

Type	Exam Fee	Annual Membership Fee	One-time Application Fee	Total
PMI® Members	$405	$129	$10	$544
Non-PMI® Members	$555	-	-	$555

The table shows you can save $11 on PMP exam fees by becoming a PMI® member before applying. If you choose to become a PMI® member first and then apply for the PMP®  certification examination.

You can prepare for the PMP exam using several trusted study resources. One of the most important is the PMBOK Guide, published by the Project Management Institute, which covers most of the exam topics.

The guide is available as a paid hard copy, while PMI members can access it for free in digital format after joining. It is a key part of your exam preparation. For a more flexible learning experience, you can also explore online PMP bootcamps for structured exam training.

PMP Certification vs. Other Project Management Certifications Cost Breakdown 

Certification	Exam Fee (USD)	Training Cost (Approx.)	Renewal Cost (USD)	Validity Period	Offered By
PMP (Project Management Professional)	$405 (PMI Member) / $555 (Non-Member)	$200 – $2,000	$60 (Member) / $150 (Non-Member)	3 Years	PMI (Project Management Institute)
CAPM (Certified Associate in Project Management)	$225 (PMI Member) / $300 (Non-Member)	$150 – $1,000	$60 (Member) / $150 (Non-Member)	3 Years	PMI
PRINCE2 Foundation	~$300	$500 – $1,000	None (lifetime)	Lifetime	Axelos / PeopleCert
PRINCE2 Practitioner	~$400 – $500	$700 – $1,200	None (lifetime)	Lifetime*	Axelos / PeopleCert
PMI-ACP (Agile Certified Practitioner)	$435 (Member) / $495 (Non-Member)	$500 – $1,500	$60 (Member) / $150 (Non-Member)	3 Years	PMI
CSM (Certified ScrumMaster)	~$150 – $1,000 (incl. training)	Included in training	$100 every 2 years	2 Years	Scrum Alliance

How Long Does PMP Certification Take? 

The time needed to get your PMP certification usually ranges from 2 to 6 months, depending on your background, study routine, and how consistently you prepare. The journey begins with completing 35 hours of project management training, which many candidates finish through online courses, bootcamps, or flexible workshops. Some complete this step quickly in a couple of weeks, while others take a bit longer.

When it comes to studying for the exam, most learners spend about 8 to 12 weeks preparing seriously. This is the phase where you go through the PMBOK Guide, practice mock tests, and revise important concepts. If you are working full-time, setting aside 1 to 2 hours daily can make your preparation steady and manageable without stress.

After preparation, you apply through PMI, which takes around 5 to 10 business days for review. Once approved, you can schedule your exam. With consistency and a clear plan, many professionals successfully complete the PMP journey within 2 to 3 months.

Prepare effectively for your exam with upGrad KnowledgeHut PMP Certification Training designed to help you master key concepts and pass with confidence.

What Is the PMP Renewal Fees?

It will always be best for you the clear the examination in the first attempt and prepare accordingly. In case it happens that you fail to do so, then PMI® charges a fee, which is the re-examination fee only for retakes. The PMP exam retake fee for computer-based testing is stated as below:

• PMI® Members: $275
• Non-PMI® Members: $375

The various cost aspects related to PMP® certification can be summarized in the following chart:

Exam Type	Membership Status	Exam Cost
Computer-based exam	PMI® Member	$405
	Non-PMI® Member	$555
Paper-based exam	PMI® Member	$400
	Non-PMI® Member	$250
Retaking exam through	PMI® Member	$275
computer-based testing	Non-PMI® Member	$375

If you choose to take an online PMP® certification, it will cost you approximately $750 USD, which includes the exam fee PMP candidates must pay. 

The additional costs aligned with PMP® certification can be listed down as:

Sl. No.	PMP® Certification Fees (Different Cost Aspects)	Costs
1	PMI Membership fee along with joining fee	$139
2	PMI Membership renewal fee	$129 per year
3	PMBOK® handbook cost for members	Free
4	PMBOK® handbook cost for non-members	$50 on Amazon
5	Cost of study guides and resources	$40 to $100
6	Cost of practice tests	$60 to $100
7	PMP certification renewal cost for PMI members	$60
8	Renewal cost of PMP® certification for non-members	$150

Is there a refund policy? What is the process?

Yes, there is a refund policy that can be asked for. To avail a refund, a request has to be made to the Project Management Institute, PMI® at least 30 days prior to the date of exam eligibility expiration. An amount of $100 will be retained as a processing fee if the candidate has not taken the exam or not yet scheduled the exam. After this process, the application will be closed and the eligibility period will not be valid after the refund has been processed.

A candidate can ask for a refund if their application has been rejected or if they have not passed the audit.

Refund will not be provided by the PMI® in any of the following cases:

• The candidate’s eligibility period of one year has ended and he/she has not yet scheduled an examination. In that case, the whole fee amount will be charged. However, if the candidate wishes to obtain the certification, he/she will have to apply again and submit the fee once again.
• The candidate has scheduled the examination but has not taken it, nor has he/she provided PMI® with any necessary canceling or rescheduling notification. In such a case, the whole amount of fee will be forfeited.

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What is the application process for the PMP Exam?

After meeting all the eligibility requirements, fill the PMP application. PMI takes about 5 to 10 days to review your application once you have submitted your application. Once your application has been reviewed and processed, you will receive an e-mail from the PMI with a request for payment. You can choose your examination mode, computer-based or online-based, and complete the process of payment. Once PMI receives the payment that you have made, it sends your application for the process of audit.

What if my application goes for an audit?

For the process of audit, PMI randomly selects a few applications. You’ll be notified through an email if your application gets selected for the process of audit, asking you to submit the following documents for the process of audit:

• Copy of your 4-year degree certificates/secondary degree
• Copy of 35 contact hours certificate
• Signature copies from the manager or the supervisor for the project that you have recorded in the experience section of your application.

You get a total of 90 days to submit the above-mentioned documents. The audit process can take up to 7 days after PMI has received all the documents. After the audit process has successfully been completed, you’ll receive an email notification which will contain your PMI eligibility ID and examination scheduling instructions. You can schedule your examination within one year from this day.

What are the different aspects that can be included in the PMP certification cost?

Are there any different aspects other than training and exam fee for PMP®  certification cost? This question can come across any candidate who is preparing for the PMP®  certification examination. Read along to know about the various factors that are important other than the PMP certification fees and training, so that you can plan your financials accordingly.

Cost factor #1: 35 Hours of Project Management Training

As discussed, these 35 hours of training is required to meet the PMP®  Eligibility requirement list. One can opt for classroom-training or online-based training, as per their ease. The classroom-training prices vary between $500 USD to $2,000 USD while that of online training varies between $200 USD to $500 USD.

Cost factor #2: Time for Preparation 

The preparation time can be considered as PMP® certification cost. As busy professionals, you’ll have to spare time to take up this project management course. This is the major reason for online training being on high demand, as it is self-paced. The duration of the course and self-study depends on your dedication, background knowledge in project management and your professional experience.  

Cost factor #3: Guides and study materials

One needs to be well prepared for the complex exam pattern of the PMP®  certification exam. For this, you might have to take help from various reference books, which may be hardcopy or softcopy. It’ll help you gain knowledge and boost your courage for your PMP®  examination.

Cost factor #4: Practice and Mock Tests

Solving sample questions and sample exam plays an important role in preparation in any exam. It will help you test your readiness and knowledge on the topic, giving you a better grasp on the subject. Moreover, you will get to discover the topics where you need to improve. Moreover, you can get a better grip on time management, which is another very important factor to keep in mind while giving a PMP®  certification exam.

Cost factor #5: Renewal of Credentials 

The PMP®  certification that you will earn will be valid for three years. You’ll have to renew your credentials every three years before it becomes invalid, which will cost you $150 USD if you are not a PMI® member. But if you are a PMI® member, the renewal will cost you $60 USD.

Conclusion

The PMP certification fee in 2026 might feel like a big expense initially, but it is really an investment in your long-term career growth. When you understand all the costs involved, you can plan your budget more effectively and avoid any surprises later.

The key is to set a clear budget, select the right training option, and prepare with focus and consistency. With the right plan in place, earning your PMP certification becomes not only achievable but also highly rewarding for your professional future.

Contact our upGrad KnowledgeHut experts and get personalized guidance on choosing the right course, career path, and certification for your goals.