Before you book the PMP, PMI checks your application. You need a mix of education, project experience and project management training. Here are the rules in plain words. Always confirm the current details on PMI's website before applying, because PMI updates them from time to time.
The three routes
| Your education | Project experience needed | Training needed |
|---|---|---|
| Four-year degree (bachelor's or global equivalent) | 36 months leading projects in the last 8 years | 35 contact hours, or CAPM |
| High school diploma or associate degree | 60 months leading projects in the last 8 years | 35 contact hours, or CAPM |
| Degree from a GAC-accredited programme | 24 months leading projects in the last 8 years | 35 contact hours, or CAPM |
What counts as "leading projects"?
- You don't need the title "project manager". What counts is leading and directing project work: planning, coordinating the team, managing scope, schedule, budget or risk.
- Months only count once. Two overlapping projects in the same month count as one month.
- Agile, predictive and hybrid projects all count.
How the 35 contact hours work
You need 35 hours of project management education. Most people get them from a course by a PMI Authorized Training Partner, or from another provider that issues a certificate of completion. Holding the CAPM also covers this requirement. For more detail, see PMP 35 contact hours explained.
Keep your certificates. PMI audits a percentage of applications and may ask for proof of both your training and your experience.
Writing your experience descriptions
- Write a short description for each project: the objective, your role, and what you did.
- Use PMI's language: initiating, planning, executing, monitoring and controlling, closing.
- Be honest and specific. Your manager or a colleague may need to confirm it in an audit.
Not eligible yet?
If you don't have enough experience, the CAPM is PMI's entry-level certification and needs no project experience. It's a good first step, and it also covers the 35-hour requirement later. Compare them in CAPM vs PMP.
Either way, you can start studying today. The 26 free PMP chapters and the free full mock exam on Adnan Khalid Prep follow PMI's 2026 outline.