Tools / PMP Eligibility Checker
PMP Eligibility Checker
PMP eligibility comes down to two things: enough months leading projects, and 35 hours of project management training. With a bachelor's degree PMI asks for 36 months of project leadership within the last 10 years, with an associate degree 48 and with a secondary diploma 60. Every path needs the same 35 hours. Answer three questions below and this tells you whether you qualify today and, if not, exactly what is missing.
The four PMP eligibility paths
| Your education | Months leading projects | Education hours |
|---|---|---|
| Degree from a GAC-accredited program | 24 months | 35 hours |
| Bachelor's or postgraduate degree | 36 months | 35 hours |
| Associate degree or two-year college diploma | 48 months | 35 hours |
| Secondary school diploma | 60 months | 35 hours |
Experience has to fall inside the 10 years before you apply, counted without overlap. An active CAPM certification substitutes for the 35 hours on every path. Source: PMI's PMP Examination Content Outline, July 2026.
Where the 35 contact hours come from
This is the requirement most candidates are missing, and it is the only one you can close on a fixed timeline. The hours never expire. Which training counts depends on when you finish it:
- Finished before 1 December 2026: project management training from any provider counts, live or self-paced.
- From 1 December 2026: live classes count only from a PMI Authorized Training Partner, a China Registered Education Provider or an accredited academic program. Self-paced courses from any provider still count.
Books and practice exams alone never count. Check PMI's training notice before you book a course, and practise for the exam itself with the free PMP practice questions.
Still deciding between certifications? The PMP certification guide covers exam format, cost, and salary, and the certification finder maps your goal to a path if PMP is not obviously the right next step.
Frequently asked questions
What are the PMP eligibility requirements?
PMI sets four paths, all with 35 hours of project management training. A bachelor's or postgraduate degree needs 36 months leading projects within the last 10 years. A degree from a GAC-accredited program needs 24 months, an associate degree or two-year diploma needs 48, and a secondary diploma needs 60. An active CAPM certification stands in for the 35 hours.
What counts as the 35 contact hours for PMP?
Project management training aligned with the PMP exam outline, finished before you apply; books and practice exams alone do not count. Training completed before 1 December 2026 counts from any provider. From that date, live classes count only from a PMI Authorized Training Partner, a China Registered Education Provider or an accredited academic program, while self-paced courses from any provider still count.
Do I need the job title of project manager to qualify for PMP?
No. PMI asks for months spent leading and directing projects, not for a specific job title. Business analysts, team leads, engineers, and coordinators regularly qualify on the strength of the project work they actually led. What matters is that you can describe the work on the application.
Does project experience expire for the PMP application?
Yes. Since PMI's July 2026 update the experience must fall within the 10 years before you apply, so older project work does not count toward the 24 to 60 months your path requires. Months must not overlap: two projects run at once count once. The 35 training hours do not expire.
What happens if PMI audits my PMP application?
PMI audits a share of applications at random. If yours is selected you supply proof of your degree, signatures from supervisors or clients who can verify the projects you listed, and a certificate for your 35 contact hours. Keeping dates and contacts organised as you go makes an audit routine rather than disruptive.
Preparing for the PMP exam?
CISNET's live PMP course covers PMI's July 2026 exam outline in 35 instructor-led hours.
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