The Project Management Professional (PMP®) certification is one of the most respected credentials for project managers worldwide. Offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI), it validates your ability to lead projects and manage teams across industries.

If you are planning to become PMP® certified, understanding the step-by-step process can make your journey smoother and more efficient.

Step-by-Step Guide to Getting PMP® Certification

1) Ensure Eligibility: Confirm that you meet the PMP® eligibility requirements before starting your training.
2) Enroll in PMP® Training: Register for a PMI-approved training program and complete the required 35 hours of project management training.
3) Submit Your Exam Application: Once ready, submit your PMP® exam application through your PMI account.
4) Wait for Application Approval: PMI typically reviews applications within five working days. If your application is selected for audit, additional documents may be required.
5) Pay the Exam Fee: After approval, pay the exam fee and PMI membership fee if applicable.
6) Receive Your Eligibility ID: Your PMI dashboard will show your Eligibility ID, confirming that you can schedule the exam.
7) Schedule Your Exam: Choose between an online proctored exam or a test center exam.
8) Take the PMP® Exam: Complete the exam. Your initial result will be displayed immediately after finishing the exam.
9) Receive Final Result and Certification: After completing the exam, you will be informed whether you have passed or failed. Your official PMP® certification status will be updated in your PMI account within approximately 48 hours.
10) Renew Your PMP® Certification: The PMP® certification is valid for three years. To maintain it, professionals must earn 60 Professional Development Units (PDUs) during this period. If the certification expires, you may need to apply and pass the PMP® exam again to regain the credential.

Detailed Process to Get PMP® Certification

1. Eligibility Assessment

The first step is determining whether you meet the eligibility requirements established by PMI. These requirements depend on your educational background and project management experience.

Eligibility Criteria

Set A – High School / Diploma Holders

Experience:
Minimum 60 months (5 years) of experience leading and managing projects within the past 8 years

Set B – Bachelor’s Degree or Higher

Experience:
Minimum 36 months (3 years) of experience leading and managing projects within the past 8 years

Set C – GAC Accredited Degree

Experience:
Minimum 24 months (2 years) of experience leading and managing projects within the past 8 years

If you graduated from a Global Accreditation Center (GAC) accredited project management program, your required project experience is reduced.

Source: https://www.pmi.org/certifications/project-management-pmp

2. Enroll and Complete the 35 Hours of PMP® Training

Once your eligibility is confirmed, the next step is to enroll in a PMP® Exam Preparation Course delivered by a PMI Authorized Training Partner (ATP).

ATP providers are approved by PMI to deliver official PMP® training programs. These courses help candidates understand:

• • PMP® exam structure
  • Project management concepts
  • PMI standards and best practices
  • Real-world project management scenarios

 

Verify 3FOLD Training in PMI ATP Directory

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Important Advisory from PMI on PMP® Training

PMI has clarified that instructor-led PMP® training hours will only be accepted if the course is delivered through an approved provider. Verifying the training provider in the PMI Authorized Training Partner directory ensures that your training hours are valid for the PMP® application.

Eligible providers include:

• • PMI Authorized Training Partner (ATP)

  • China Registered Education Provider (REP)

  • Accredited academic programs, including those accredited by the Global Accreditation Center (GAC)

Key Point for PMP® Candidates

Learners who complete instructor-led training through a PMI Authorized Training Partner (ATP) will have their full 35 training hours officially recognized toward PMP® certification requirements.

This means:

• • Your training hours are valid for the PMP® application
  • The course meets PMI learning standards
  • Your training certificate can be used when applying for the exam

After completing the training, you will receive a Certificate of Completion, which is required when submitting your PMP® application.

Sample PMP® Training Completion Certificate:

Certificate Verification

Once learners complete their PMP® training with 3FOLD Training, their Certificate of Completion can be verified online to confirm authenticity.

Verify your certificate here: Accredible Credential Verification

This allows learners, employers, and stakeholders to confirm that the training is genuine and recognized for PMP® exam eligibility.

Tip: Certificate verification strengthens your professional profile even before taking the PMP® exam.

3. Apply for the PMP® Exam

After completing the required training, submit your PMP® application through your PMI account.

The application requires the following information:

• • Educational background
  • PMP® training details (35 contact hours)
  • Project management experience
  • Personal information

It is important to clearly document your project role, responsibilities, and the duration of each project.

4. PMI Application Review

After submission, PMI reviews your application to verify the information provided.

Typical review time: approximately five working days

If Selected for Audit

PMI conducts random audits to maintain certification integrity.

If your application is selected:

You will have 90 days to submit supporting documents, including:

• • Education certificate
  • Training certificate
  • Experience verification

PMI typically completes the audit review within five working days.

Related Articles: Ensuring PMP Exam Application Audit Compliance     |   PMP Exam Application Audit

5. Pay the PMP® Exam Fees

Once your application is approved, you will be prompted to pay the exam fee.

Typical costs include:

• • PMI Membership + Chapter Fee: approximately $159 USD
  • PMP® Exam Fee (PMI Member): $405 USD
  • PMP® Exam Fee (Non-Member): $655 USD

Please note that VAT or local taxes may apply depending on your country.

Learn more: Total Cost of PMP Exam Certification

6. Receive Your Eligibility ID

After payment is completed:

• • PMI confirms your exam eligibility
  • Your Eligibility ID appears in your PMI dashboard

7. Schedule Your PMP® Exam

Using your Eligibility ID, you can schedule the exam through PMI’s exam provider.

You can choose between:

• • Online proctored exam (from home or office)
  • Test center exam via Pearson VUE

Select a date and time that best fits your schedule.

Learn more: How to Schedule the PMP® Exam Step by Step

8. Take the PMP® Exam

On the scheduled date, you will take the PMP® exam.

PMP® Exam Duration

Total time: 230 minutes (3 hours 50 minutes)
Questions: 180 questions
Breaks: Two optional 10-minute breaks

Question Types

The PMP® exam includes several question formats:

• • Multiple Choice
  • Multiple Responses
  • Matching
  • Hotspot
  • Fill-in-the-Blank or Formula-based questions

Exam Content Domains

Please note: The current PMP® exam follows the existing PMP Exam Content Outline and is expected to remain in place until June 2026.

Starting July 2026, the exam is expected to transition to an updated PMP Exam Content Outline reflecting evolving project management practices.

9. Final Results and Certification

After completing the exam:

• • Your PMP® certification status will be updated in your PMI account within approximately 48 hours
  • You can download your official PMP® certificate

You are now officially a PMP® certified professional.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10. Renew Your PMP® Certification

The PMP® certification remains valid for three years.

To maintain the credential, you must:

• • Earn 60 Professional Development Units (PDUs) during the three-year cycle
  • Submit PDUs through your PMI dashboard

 

PDUs can be earned through activities such as:

• • Training programs and courses
  • Industry events and conferences
  • Webinars and learning sessions
  • Teaching or creating project management content

Learn more: How to Renew PMP Certification

What happens if your PMP® certification expires?
If the certification expires because the required PDUs were not earned during the three-year cycle, the professional may need to apply and pass the PMP® exam again to regain the credential.

Start Your PMP® Certification Journey with 3FOLD Training

At 3FOLD Training, we provide everything you need to prepare for the PMP® certification. As a PMI Authorized Training Partner (ATP), our programs are aligned with PMI standards and designed to ensure that your 35 hours of instructor-led training are fully recognized for PMP® certification requirements.