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PMP · Requirements

PMP requirements — education, experience, training

In short

PMI lists four education paths: 5 years of experience managing projects with a high school diploma, 4 with an associate's degree or trade school diploma, 3 with a bachelor's degree or higher, or 2 with a degree from a PMI GAC program.

Only experience inside the last 10 years counts, overlapping projects are not double-counted, and each project is listed separately.

You also need 35 hours of project management training — or an active CAPM. If a live class is your route, the rule tightens on Dec 1, 2026.

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.

The four education paths

PMP education and experience paths — PMI, checked Oct 19, 2026
EducationYears managing projects
High school diploma (or GED, secondary/upper school certificate)5 years
Associate's degree or vocational trade school diploma4 years
Bachelor's degree or higher3 years
Bachelor's or post-graduate degree from a PMI Global Accreditation Center (GAC) program2 years

Counting your years

  • Experience counts only within the last 10 years.
  • Overlapping projects are not double-counted — count overlapping time once.
  • Each project is listed separately on the application.
  • PMI describes the experience as managing projects in a professional setting — taking responsibility for planning, decisions, delivery and outcomes.

Training: 35 hours or an active CAPM

PMI asks for 35 hours of project management training, through one of these routes:

  • An online on-demand (self-paced) course from any organization.
  • A live instructor-led class, in person or online. From Dec 1, 2026, live classes count only if delivered by a PMI Authorized Training Partner (ATP), a China Registered Education Provider (REP), or an eligible accredited higher-education program (including PMI GAC programs).
  • An active CAPM certification — it covers the training requirement only; the experience years still apply.

Check your years against the published counts

Three questions, answered from PMI's published numbers. Nothing is stored or sent anywhere.

You entered 3 years. This path lists 3 years in the last 10 years.

Your answers meet PMI's published year count and training rule.

  • PMI decides whether your experience counts — this page can't approve an application.

What PMI decides

PMI reviews every application itself and decides whether the experience you list counts. This page can't approve an application — it only compares your numbers with PMI's published counts.

If PMI accepts the application, you pay the exam fee when you're ready to schedule, and you can attempt the exam up to 3 times within the one-year eligibility period after the application is approved.

Questions

Do overlapping projects double my years?
No. Overlapping projects are not double-counted — count overlapping time once. Each project is listed separately on the application. If two projects ran at the same time, count that stretch once before you enter a number above.
What training counts toward the 35 hours?
An online on-demand (self-paced) course from any organization; a live instructor-led class, in person or online; or an active capm certification. From Dec 1, 2026, live classes count only if delivered by a PMI Authorized Training Partner (ATP), a China Registered Education Provider (REP), or an eligible accredited higher-education program (including PMI GAC programs).
Does an active CAPM replace the experience years?
No. An active CAPM fulfils the 35-hour training requirement only — the experience years of your education path still apply.
Can this page tell me whether PMI will accept my application?
No. PMI reviews every application and decides whether your experience counts. This page compares your years and training with PMI's published counts — it can't approve or pre-approve anything.
How far back can my experience go?
Experience counts only within the last 10 years. Older projects don't add to your count.

Keep going

Sources