PMP Exam Cost 2026
All Fees & How to Save Money
Every fee you will pay to become PMP certified, application, exam, training and renewal, broken down clearly. Plus 7 proven strategies to reduce your total investment significantly, some of which save over $200 instantly.
The PMP exam fee is $555 (non-member) or $405 (PMI member). Total certification cost including a 35-hour course runs $560–$900 for most candidates. Join PMI for $139/year: it saves $150 on the exam, gives you free access to PMBOK 8 and the Agile Practice Guide, and pays for itself immediately. Use the calculator below for your personalised total.
Your fee may be different: PMI raised PMP exam fees on 6 August 2026, and it also sets prices by country. The figures on this page are PMI's standard US prices. See why your fee may differ and check your exact price in your PMI account before you pay.
PMP Cost at a Glance: 2026
Standard US prices. Your country's price may be lower.
Every PMP Cost Explained
The PMP certification involves five distinct cost categories. Here is every fee you need to budget for: nothing hidden, nothing missed.
| Cost Item | PMI Member | Non-Member | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| PMI Membership | $139/yr | $0 | Optional but recommended: saves more than it costs immediately |
| PMP Application Fee | $0 | $0 | No fee to submit your application: free for all candidates |
| PMP Exam Fee | $405 | $555 | Paid after application approval via Pearson VUE |
| 35-Hour PM Training | $20 – $2,000+ | Required for all candidates. Udemy courses from $19.99; classroom from $1,500+ | |
| Study Materials | $0 (with membership) | $0 – $150 | PMBOK 8 + Agile Practice Guide free with PMI membership |
| Practice Exam Simulator | $0 – $149 | Optional but strongly recommended. PM PrepCast from $149; free questions at Sikhana Seekho | |
| Exam Retake (if needed) | $375 | $275 | Up to 3 attempts within 1-year window. No reapplication needed. |
| PMP Renewal (every 3 yrs) | $60 | $150 | 60 PDUs required. Many PDU sources are free. |
| Minimum realistic total | ~$563 | ~$575 | Member: $139+$405+$19 course. Non-member: $555+$20 course |
Calculate Your Personalised PMP Cost
Select your options below for an instant personalised cost estimate.
PMP Cost Calculator 2026
Personalised estimate based on your choices
PMP Exam Cost by Country: Why Your Fee May Be Different
PMI does not charge every candidate the same amount. It sets exam and membership prices by the country in your PMI account, so candidates in some countries pay less than the standard US price shown on this page. Local taxes such as VAT or GST can also be added at checkout, and your bank converts the charge on the day you pay.
The US dollar figures on this page are PMI's standard prices and a sensible starting point for planning. The only price that counts is the one PMI shows you in your own account, so check it before you set a budget.
7 Proven Ways to Reduce Your PMP Cost
The difference between the most expensive and most affordable paths to PMP certification is over $2,000. Here are the seven highest-impact savings strategies: in order of impact.
35-Hour Training: What Does It Actually Cost?
The 35 contact hours of PM education is the most variable cost in your PMP journey. Here is a clear comparison of all available options so you can choose the best value for your situation.
| Option | Cost | PMI Accepted? | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Udemy PMP Prep (Joseph Phillips) | $19.99 | ✓ Yes | Budget-conscious candidates: best value |
| Udemy PMP Prep (Andrew Ramdayal) | $19.99 | ✓ Yes | Agile-focused preparation: highly rated |
| Coursera: Google PM Certificate | $49/mo | ✓ Yes | Structured learning with graded assessments |
| LinkedIn Learning PM Path | $39.99/mo | ✓ Yes | Professionals with existing LinkedIn Premium |
| PMI REP Online Bootcamp | $399–$799 | ✓ Yes | Intensive structured prep with live instruction |
| In-person classroom (PMI REP) | $1,500–$3,000 | ✓ Yes | Candidates who require in-person learning |
| University PM certificate | $500–$2,000 | ✓ Yes | Academic environment preference |
| CAPM certification (if held) | Existing cert | ✓ Satisfies all 35 hours | Candidates who already hold CAPM |
Recommended Courses
* Affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. All recommendations independently evaluated.
Retake Fees, Renewal Costs and What Happens If You Lapse
Retake Fees
If you do not pass the PMP exam on your first attempt, you have two further attempts within your one-year eligibility window at a reduced retake fee. You do not need to reapply or pay the application fee again.
| Attempt | PMI Member Fee | Non-Member Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st attempt (original exam) | $405 | $555 | Paid after application approval |
| 2nd attempt (1st retake) | $375 | $275 | Retake within 1-year eligibility window |
| 3rd attempt (2nd retake) | $375 | $275 | Final attempt. Must wait 1 year to re-apply if failed. |
Renewal Fees (Every 3 Years)
The PMP is valid for 3 years. To renew, you must earn 60 PDUs (Professional Development Units) and pay the renewal fee. PDU earnings are tracked through PMI's CCRS portal.
| Renewal Item | PMI Member | Non-Member |
|---|---|---|
| CCR renewal fee (every 3 years) | $60 | $150 |
| PDUs required | 60 PDUs (at least 35 in Education, max 25 in Giving Back) | |
| Free PDU sources | PMI webinars, chapter events, reading PM books, volunteering, writing articles | |
| If PMP lapses | Must retake full exam: no reinstatement option | |
PMP Return on Investment: The Numbers
The PMP consistently delivers one of the strongest returns on investment of any professional certification. Here is the financial case, based on PMI's 2023 Earning Power survey and current salary data.
| Country | Avg PMP Premium/Year | Total Cert Cost | Payback Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | +$23,000/yr | ~$700 | Less than 2 weeks |
| United Kingdom | +£14,000/yr | ~£600 | Less than 3 weeks |
| Australia | +A$20,000/yr | ~A$900 | Less than 3 weeks |
| Canada | +C$18,000/yr | ~C$750 | Less than 3 weeks |
| India | +₹6,00,000/yr | ~₹55,000 | Less than 5 weeks |
| UAE | +AED 36,000/yr | ~AED 2,200 | Less than 4 weeks |
Ready to Start? Here Is What to Do Next
Ask Your Employer to Pay: Email Template
The most common reason people do not get their PMP funded is that they never ask. The second is asking in a way that sounds like personal development rather than a business benefit. Adapt this email and send it to your line manager or HR.
Subject: PMP certification support request
Hi [Name],
I would like to request support for my PMP (Project Management Professional) certification, which I plan to complete in the next few months.
The PMP is the most widely recognised project management certification, issued by the Project Management Institute. It is directly relevant to my work on [describe your projects or team].
How it benefits the team: it formalises the planning, risk and stakeholder practices we use every day, helps me apply them consistently, and adds a recognised credential when we work with clients and senior stakeholders.
Costs I am asking you to cover: PMI membership [amount], the PMP exam fee at the member rate [amount], and a 35-hour online prep course [amount]. Total: [amount].
I will study mainly outside working hours, so the time needed during work is small, mostly the exam day itself.
Would you be open to approving this as a training and development expense? I am happy to discuss it.
Best regards,
[Your name]
Fill in the amounts from the cost table above, and remove any line that does not apply to you.