Tools / PMP Eligibility Checker
PMP Eligibility Checker
PMP eligibility comes down to two things: enough months leading projects, and 35 contact hours of project management education. With a four-year degree PMI asks for 36 months of project leadership within the last 8 years. Without one, 60 months. Both paths need the same 35 contact hours. Answer three questions below and this tells you whether you qualify today and, if not, exactly what is missing.
The two PMP eligibility paths
| Your education | Months leading projects | Education hours |
|---|---|---|
| Four-year degree or global equivalent | 36 months | 35 contact hours |
| Bachelor's from a GAC-accredited programme | 24 months | 35 contact hours |
| Secondary diploma or associate degree | 60 months | 35 contact hours |
Experience has to fall inside the 8 years before you apply. An active CAPM certification substitutes for the 35 contact hours on every path.
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. PMI does not require the training provider to be a PMI partner, and the hours never expire. CISNET's PMP course is 35 hours of live, instructor-led training that meets the requirement in full, taught in weekend cohorts so you can complete it alongside the job that is building your experience months.
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 two main paths. With a four-year degree you need 36 months leading projects within the last 8 years plus 35 contact hours of project management education. With a secondary diploma or associate degree you need 60 months plus the same 35 contact hours. A bachelor's from a GAC-accredited programme lowers the experience requirement to 24 months. An active CAPM certification can stand in for the 35 contact hours.
What counts as the 35 contact hours for PMP?
Any formal instruction in project management counts, and PMI does not require the provider to be a PMI partner. The hours must be completed before you submit the application, and there is no expiry on them. CISNET's PMP course is 35 hours of live, instructor-led training, so it meets the requirement in full.
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. The experience must fall within the 8 years before you apply, so older project work does not count toward the 36 or 60 month requirement. The 35 contact hours of education 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.
Need the 35 contact hours PMI asks for?
CISNET's live PMP course is 35 instructor-led hours, taught in weekend cohorts.
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