PMP Exam Requirements, Eligibility, Exam Length, and How to Get PMP Certified

What Is PMP Certification?

The Project Management Professional (PMP)^® certification is a globally recognized credential for project managers, offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI). Earning your PMP certification signals your ability to lead teams, manage timelines, and deliver successful projects across industries. It’s one of the most respected certifications in the field and can open doors to higher salaries and career advancement.  Let’s discuss the PMP exam requirements in detail.

PMP Certification Requirements

To be eligible for the PMP exam, you must meet certain educational and professional experience requirements. Below are the two most common pathways:

• Four-Year Degree (Bachelor’s or Global Equivalent): At least 36 months leading projects in a professional setting.
• High School Diploma or Associate Degree: At least 60 months of professional experience leading projects.

In both cases, you must also complete 35 hours of formal project management education. This ensures you’re prepared to understand the project management framework and terminology tested on the exam.

How to Get PMP Certification

Have you met the PMP exam requirements and are ready to become a certified project manager? Here’s how to get PMP certified:

1. Create a PMI.org account: Start by creating a free account on the official Project Management Institute website.
2. Document your experience: Prepare a record of your education and professional project management experience.
3. Submit the application: Complete the online PMP application form.
4. Wait for approval: PMI typically reviews applications within 5 business days.
5. Schedule your exam: Once approved, you’ll receive an authorization code to schedule your exam with Pearson VUE.

PMP Certification Exam Fees

The cost of getting PMP certified varies depending on whether you are a PMI member.  Here is the fee component of the PMP exam requirements:

• PMI Members: $405 for the exam
• Non-Members: $555 for the exam
• PMI Membership: $139 per year (optional but includes discounts)
• Retake Fees: $275 for members, $375 for non-members
• Renewal Fee: $60 for members, $150 for non-members

PMP Exam Length and Format

The PMP test consists of 180 questions and has a duration of 230 minutes (approximately 3 hours and 50 minutes). The exam includes a variety of question types:

• Multiple choice
• Multiple responses
• Hotspot and drag-and-drop
• Limited fill-in-the-blank

The exam is structured around three domains:

• People: 42%
• Process: 50%
• Business Environment: 8%

How Long Does It Take to Get PMP Certification?

The time it takes to become PMP certified depends on your schedule and prep approach. On average:

• Application review takes ~5 business days
• Most candidates take 1–3 months to prepare, depending on study time and background
• After passing, you’ll be officially certified within a few days

How Long Does a PMP Certification Last?

Once you’ve met the PMP exam requirements and have successfully passed the PMP test.  The PMP certification is valid for three years. To maintain your credential, you must earn 60 Professional Development Units (PDUs) within each three-year cycle. You can earn PDUs through continuing education, webinars, volunteering, or purchasing PDU Bundles.  Note that you can start to earn and claim PDUs immediately after earning your PMP certification.  If you earn and then claim your 60 PDUs immediately after passing the exam, you don’t have to worry about your renewal for almost 6 years!

Why an Online, Self-Paced PMP Prep Course Is the Best Way to Prepare

Preparing for the PMP exam is a major commitment—and a self-paced, online PMP exam prep course is one of the most efficient and flexible ways to succeed. Here’s why it works so well:

• Earn the required 35 education hours:  A quality PMP exam prep course will provide a certification of completion to meet the 35 education hours PMP exam requirements.
• Study on your schedule: No need to attend live classes—learn when and where it’s convenient.
• Focus only on what you need: Personalize your study time based on your knowledge gaps.
• Save time and money: Avoid the cost and stress of exam retakes by preparing effectively the first time.
• Practice smarter: Use realistic practice exams to build your confidence and pinpoint weak areas.
• Track your progress: Know exactly how ready you are at each stage.

When choosing a PMP prep course, look for key features such as:

• Self-paced learning modules
• Engaging content and interactivity
• Full-length practice exams with detailed answer explanations
• Progress tracking and reporting
• Mobile-friendly access
• Updated content aligned with the current PMP exam
• Pass guarantee and/or money-back policy

Get Certified with Confidence: Brain Sensei’s PMP Exam Prep Course

If you’re serious about meeting the PMP exam requirements and passing the exam on your first try, consider Brain Sensei’s PMP Exam Prep Course. Our course includes all the best practices listed above—plus a 99.6% first-time pass rate.

Here’s what you get:

• PMI approved source of the required 35 education hours
• Self-paced, interactive modules
• Engaging storytelling approach to reinforce learning
• Unlimited access to PMP practice exams and quizzes, with over 1,500 realistic questions
• Mobile and desktop access anytime
• Full alignment with the latest PMP Exam Content Outline
• 99.6% of Brain Sensei students pass their PMP on the first try
• 30-day refund guarantee
• 100% pass guarantee

Take the first step toward becoming a certified PMP project management professional today:

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to finally check PMP certification off your list, Brain Sensei can help you succeed.