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PMI · CAPM vs PMP

CAPM vs PMP — requirements, cost, which fits

In short

The CAPM is PMI's entry-level certification: a secondary degree, age 18 or older, 23 hours of project management education, no work experience — $225 member / $300 full.

The PMP is for people already managing projects: 2 to 5 years of experience depending on your education (inside the last 10), 180 questions in 240 minutes — $425 member / $675 full.

US dollars, as shown on PMI's US pages.

Last verified Oct 19, 2026 · Sources below

This is a plain-English summary of PMI's published rules and US prices, checked by hand on the date shown. PMI can change prices and rules at any time. Confirm on pmi.org before you apply or pay.

Side by side

CAPM vs PMP — PMI's US pages, checked Oct 19, 2026
CAPMPMP
EducationA secondary degree (high school diploma, GED or global equivalent)One of four: high school diploma, associate's or trade school diploma, bachelor's or higher, or a PMI GAC degree
Experience managing projectsNone required2–5 years depending on the education path, counting only the last 10 years and never double-counting overlaps
Training before the exam23 hours of project management education35 hours of project management training — or an active CAPM
Minimum age18 or olderNo minimum stated on PMI's PMP page
Exam fee (member / full price)$225 / $300$425 / $675
One attempt + one year of membership ($164)$225 + $164 = $389 — $89 higher than full price$425 + $164 = $589 — $86 lower
Exam150 questions · 180 minutes180 questions · 240 minutes (4 hours) · two 10-minute breaks
Maintenance15 PDUs per 3-year cycle60 PDUs per three-year cycle

US dollars, as shown on PMI's US pages.

Member exam prices apply only if PMI membership is active before you pay the exam fee. Member math: break-even calculator.

When the CAPM helps

  • You don't have the experience years yet — the CAPM asks for none, while every PMP path starts at 2 years.
  • You want a PMI credential while you build experience: an active CAPM later covers the PMP's 35-hour training requirement.
  • Your education is a secondary degree and you'd rather sit a 150-question, 180-minute exam first.

When the CAPM doesn't help

  • It covers the training requirement only — the experience years still apply. If you already meet a PMP education path's years, the CAPM adds no experience credit.
  • If your only goal was the PMP's training requirement, any qualifying 35-hour course also covers it — a CAPM is not the only route.
  • Membership doesn't pay for itself on a lone CAPM attempt: it's $89 higher ($389 vs $300).

Questions

Is the CAPM a step toward the PMP?
It can be, but only one requirement carries over: an active CAPM fulfils the PMP's 35-hour training requirement. The PMP's experience years — 2 to 5 by education path, inside the last 10 — still apply in full.
Which is cheaper?
The CAPM: $300 full price or $225 for members, against the PMP at $675 / $425. With one year of membership ($164) added, a single attempt totals $389 for the CAPM ($89 higher than full price) and $589 for the PMP ($86 lower).
Do I need work experience for the CAPM?
No. The CAPM asks for a secondary degree, age 18 or older, and 23 hours of project management education before the exam.
How do renewals compare?
The PMP renews at 60 PDUs per three-year cycle; the CAPM at 15 PDUs per 3-year cycle. Renewal fees are not shown on PMI's public pages — check your PMI account.

Keep going

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