The PMP is an investment, so it helps to know the full cost before you start. Here are the main pieces and some honest ways to keep the total down. Prices below are PMI's published fees at the time of writing, in US dollars. PMI can change them, so check pmi.org before you pay.
The exam fee
| PMI member | Non-member | |
|---|---|---|
| PMP exam | about $405 | about $575 |
| Retake (each) | about $275 | about $375 |
You can take the exam up to three times within your one-year eligibility period.
Should you join PMI first?
PMI membership costs roughly $139 a year plus a one-time joining fee. Because members save about $170 on the exam fee, joining usually pays for itself, and you also get a digital copy of PMI's standards and guides. Many people join just before applying.
The other costs
- 35 hours of training: required for eligibility (unless you hold the CAPM). Prices vary from low-cost online courses to expensive bootcamps.
- Study material: books, courses and practice questions.
- Practice exams: worth paying for if you need more full-length exams than you can find for free.
- Renewal: 60 professional development units (PDUs) every three years, plus a renewal fee.
Ways to save
- Join PMI before booking if the membership saving is bigger than the cost.
- Ask your employer. Many companies pay for the exam or training.
- Pass first time. A retake costs $275–$375, so the cheapest exam is the one you only take once. Don't book until your full-length mock scores are consistently strong.
- Use free study material first and pay only for what's missing.
Free and low-cost prep on Adnan Khalid Prep
You can do most of your studying for free: 26 chapters with slides and videos, practice questions, flashcards, the formulas sheet and EVM calculator, and a full 180-question mock exam in the 2026 format. If you want more full-length exams, PMP Mock Tests 1–5 are a one-time US$50 for 90 days of access (see pricing).