If you’re planning to earn the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification, you need to budget for more than the exam itself. PMI charges separate fees for the exam, retakes, rescheduling, and certification renewal. You may also pay for PMI membership, training, practice exams, books, and travel.
This guide covers the main PMP exam fees and PMI costs for 2026. The figures are listed in USD; taxes, currency conversion, and regional pricing can affect the final amount.
Our PMP exam prep course includes 35 contact hours and the exam simulator, so those items are not separate Brain Sensei purchases.
PMP fees at a glance
| Fee type | PMI member price | Non-member price | When it applies | Important notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
PMP exam |
$405 |
$655 |
After your application is approved and you are ready to schedule |
Taxes, currency conversion, and regional pricing may apply |
|
PMP reexamination |
$275 |
$375 |
If you need another exam attempt |
You have a maximum of three total attempts during your eligibility period |
|
Exam rescheduling or cancellation |
$70 |
$70 |
When you change an appointment within 30 days, but before the final 48-hour period |
Missing the appointment can result in losing the full exam fee |
|
PMP certification renewal |
$60 |
$150 |
Every three years after you earn the certification |
You must also complete and report 60 PDUs |
|
PMI annual membership |
Varies by market |
Not applicable |
Optional, before or during your certification process |
Regional pricing, taxes, and chapter fees may affect the total |
The exam and renewal figures above apply to USD transactions. Taxes, regional pricing, and currency conversion can change the final payment.
What is the PMP exam fee in 2026?
The current PMP exam fee is:
- $405 for PMI members
- $655 for nonmembers
PMI membership is optional. You don’t have to join PMI to apply for or take the PMP exam.
You normally pay the exam fee after PMI approves your application and you are ready to schedule your exam. The payment process allows you to choose your exam delivery method and appointment.
The $405 member price applies only if your PMI membership is active when you pay for the exam. An expired membership won’t qualify you for the member rate.
Your PMP exam cost may be higher than the listed fee if PMI applies local taxes, currency conversion, or regional pricing. The amount shown during checkout is the amount you should use for your final budget.
Does the exam fee include PMP training?
No. The PMP exam fee only covers the exam appointment. It doesn’t include:
- The 35 hours of project management education
- Exam preparation books
- Practice tests
- Exam simulators
- PMI Study Hall
- Travel to a testing center
- PDU courses for certification renewal
PMP applicants must meet PMI’s eligibility requirements. Most need 35 hours of project management education unless an active CAPM certification satisfies the training component.
PMI membership cost and the member exam rate
PMI membership is optional and separate from PMP certification. PMI displays the current membership price in your account or checkout, and the total can vary by market, taxes, and optional chapter membership.
The U.S. PMP exam fee is $405 for PMI members and $655 at full price. To decide whether membership lowers your total, add the membership price shown to you to $405 and compare that result with $655.
Membership may also include access to standards, publications, communities, and member pricing. Consider both the financial comparison and the benefits you expect to use.
PMP retake fees and exam attempts
If you don’t pass the PMP exam, PMI allows a maximum of three total attempts during your one-year eligibility period. That means you get:
- One initial exam attempt
- Up to two additional attempts
You don’t receive three additional retakes.
The current reexamination fees are:
- $275 for PMI members
- $375 for nonmembers
The PMP retake fee applies after an unsuccessful attempt. Use the performance report to focus your preparation before scheduling another exam.
If you don’t pass after three attempts, you must follow PMI’s current waiting and reapplication rules before trying again. Review the PMP certification handbook and your PMI account for the requirements that apply to your situation.
A retake isn’t only another exam fee. You may also need to pay for additional study time, practice exams, training, travel, or a new testing appointment. Preparing thoroughly before your first attempt can help you avoid these extra costs.
PMP exam rescheduling and cancellation fees
Your exam appointment can be changed, but the timing matters.
Under PMI’s current appointment policy:
- More than 30 days before your exam, you can normally reschedule or cancel without a fee.
- Within 30 days of the exam, but before the final 48-hour period, a $70 fee generally applies.
- Within 48 hours of the appointment, you generally can’t reschedule or cancel.
- If you miss the appointment, you may forfeit the entire exam fee.
The exam day is not counted when PMI calculates the cancellation or rescheduling window. Moving an appointment too late can result in a higher fee or loss of the exam payment.
PMI may review documented extenuating circumstances individually. Examples can include a medical emergency, military deployment, a death in your immediate family, serious illness in your immediate family, or a natural disaster. Work scheduling problems usually don’t qualify.
If an emergency prevents you from attending, contact PMI Customer Care as soon as possible. Provide your PMI identification details, appointment information, an explanation of the circumstances, and supporting documentation when requested.
PMP certification renewal fee
PMP certification runs on a three-year cycle. To renew it, you must complete and report 60 PDUs during that cycle and submit the renewal payment.
The current PMP renewal fees are:
- $60 for PMI members
- $150 for nonmembers
The PMP renewal fee is not the same as the PMI membership renewal cost.
You may pay both during your professional development cycle, but they cover different things:
- PMI membership renewal keeps your membership active.
- PMP certification renewal keeps your PMP credential active.
You don’t have to maintain PMI membership to keep your PMP certification. If you renew as a nonmember, however, you pay the higher certification renewal fee.
PDU requirements for PMP renewal
You need 60 PDUs during each three-year certification cycle. PMI divides PDUs into two broad categories:
- Education PDUs help you build technical project management, leadership, and strategic and business management skills.
- Giving Back PDUs include activities such as working as a practitioner, volunteering, mentoring, or creating project management knowledge.
You need at least 35 Education PDUs. You can claim up to 25 Giving Back PDUs, but you don’t have to use all 25 if you earn enough Education PDUs.
Your education should cover the areas of PMI’s Talent Triangle:
- Ways of working, which includes technical project management skills
- Power skills, which includes leadership, communication, and collaboration
- Business acumen, which includes understanding how projects support organizational goals
PMP training and course costs
Your PMP certification cost will usually include preparation expenses. PMI requires 35 hours of eligible project management education unless you already hold an active CAPM certification.
Training prices vary based on the format you choose:
- Low-cost video courses
- Complete self-paced exam preparation
- Live virtual classes
- Instructor-led bootcamps
- Employer-sponsored training
A lower-priced course may cover the education requirement but offer limited exam practice. A more complete course may include lessons, quizzes, practice questions, study tools, and an exam simulator.
Our self-paced PMP exam prep course combines the required 35 contact hours with current lessons and an included exam simulator. Annual and monthly access options are available.
Training is not included in the PMI exam fee. You pay for it separately, whether you purchase a course yourself or your employer covers the expense.
Other PMP preparation expenses
Some costs are optional, while others depend on how and where you take the exam.
You may decide to purchase:
- PMP preparation books
- Practice exams
- An exam simulator
- PMI Study Hall
- Flashcards or other study tools
- Additional training if you don’t pass on your first attempt
You may also need to budget for:
- Travel and parking at a testing center
- A quiet workspace or equipment for an online proctored exam
- Local taxes
- Currency conversion fees
- Appointment rescheduling
- Additional PDUs after you earn the certification
The mandatory costs are usually the PMI exam fee, any required education, and the renewal payment when your three-year cycle ends. Books, practice tools, travel, PMI membership, and extra courses are optional, but they may make your preparation easier and more effective.
For the broader end-to-end budget, see the complete PMP certification cost guide. This article stays focused on the PMI fees and exam-related charges that are easiest to overlook.
Ways to reduce your PMP certification costs
You can control some of the cost by planning before you submit payment.
- Compare the PMI member total with the nonmember exam price. Use the actual membership and exam amounts shown in your region.
- Employer reimbursement may cover certification training, exam fees, professional memberships, or study materials.
- Choose a preparation course that includes both the 35 education hours and realistic exam practice.
- Use free course previews to assess the learning format before committing to a full course. We offer a preview of our PMP learning experience.
- Build a study schedule before booking your exam.
- Prepare well enough to reduce the chance of paying for another attempt.
- Schedule your exam only when you have enough time to study.
- Avoid last-minute changes that could result in a $70 rescheduling fee or the loss of your full exam payment.
- Employer benefits may also cover PMI membership or a local chapter fee.
- Use authorized study materials and legitimate practice resources. Don’t use exam dumps, copied books, shared accounts, or unauthorized materials.
If you want a flexible option that combines education hours and exam practice, review our self-paced PMP preparation course before making your training decision.
Frequently asked questions about PMP exam fees
How much is the PMP exam in 2026?
The exam fee is $405 for PMI members and $655 at the full nonmember price.
Is the PMP exam cheaper for PMI members?
Yes. Members receive the lower exam rate, although membership itself has a separate cost.
How much does it cost to retake the PMP exam?
A retake requires another examination fee. The applicable amount depends on membership status and PMI pricing.
How many times can you take the PMP exam?
Candidates may attempt the exam up to three times during the one-year eligibility period.
Is there a fee to reschedule the PMP exam?
A rescheduling or cancellation fee may apply within PMI and Pearson VUE policy windows.
What is the total cost of getting PMP certified?
The total includes the exam, training, and any optional resources. Use the PMP certification cost guide for a complete calculation.
Plan for the full cost, not just the exam
Build your budget around the exam fee, qualifying training, practice resources, and possible retake or rescheduling costs. After certification, include PDUs and the renewal fee in your longer-term plan.
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