Certification Guide
Compare eligibility, exam steps and renewal requirements for 13 Project Management Institute credentials.
Last verified . Check the official credential page before applying. GAC means Global Accreditation Center.
CAPM® Certified Associate in Project Management
Who can apply
- Be at least 18 and hold a secondary diploma or equivalent. Complete 23 hours of project management education before the exam. No project experience is required.
How to earn it
Apply through PMI. After approval, pay for, schedule and pass the exam.
How to maintain it
Earn and report 15 professional development units (PDUs) per three-year cycle and pay the renewal fee. Check PMI for the required PDU mix.
PMP® Project Management Professional
Who can apply
- Secondary diploma: 60 months managing projects.
- Associate degree or vocational trade diploma: 48 months.
- Bachelor’s degree or higher: 36 months. A qualifying degree from a PMI Global Accreditation Center (GAC) program reduces this to 24 months.
- Count nonoverlapping professional experience within the past 10 years. Complete 35 hours of qualifying training or hold an active CAPM® certification. PMI changes its rules for live training providers on December 1, 2026.
How to earn it
Apply through PMI. After approval, pay for, schedule and pass the exam.
How to maintain it
Earn and report 60 professional development units (PDUs) per three-year cycle and pay the renewal fee. Check PMI for the required PDU mix.
PgMP® Program Management Professional
Who can apply
- Secondary diploma: 48 months managing projects or a PMP®, plus 84 months managing programs.
- Bachelor’s degree or higher: 48 months managing projects or a PMP®, plus 48 months managing programs.
- Qualifying GAC degree: 36 months managing projects or a PMP®, plus 36 months managing programs. The experience window is 15 years.
How to earn it
Pass PMI’s panel assessment, then schedule and pass the exam.
How to maintain it
Earn and report 60 professional development units (PDUs) per three-year cycle and pay the renewal fee. Check PMI for the required PDU mix.
PfMP® Portfolio Management Professional
Who can apply
- All pathways require 96 months of professional business experience. Portfolio management experience required: 84 months with a secondary credential, 48 with a four-year degree, or 36 with a qualifying GAC degree. Check PMI’s rules on recency and overlapping experience.
How to earn it
Pass PMI’s panel assessment, then schedule and pass the exam.
How to maintain it
Earn and report 60 professional development units (PDUs) per three-year cycle and pay the renewal fee. Check PMI for the required PDU mix.
APL™ Advanced Project Leader
Who can apply
- Hold an active PMP®, PgMP® or PfMP® in good standing and complete an evaluation through an organization accredited for APL™.
How to earn it
After the organization’s evaluation, register for and pass the APL™ exam.
How to maintain it
Check the official APL™ page for current maintenance instructions.
PMI-ACP® PMI Agile Certified Practitioner
Who can apply
- Hold a secondary diploma or equivalent and complete 21 hours of formal Agile training.
- Meet one experience route: two years of Agile experience in the past five years, one year plus a GAC degree, one year plus a qualifying third-party Agile credential, or PMP® certification.
How to earn it
Apply through PMI. After approval, pay for, schedule and pass the exam.
How to maintain it
Earn and report 30 professional development units (PDUs) per three-year cycle and pay the renewal fee. Check PMI for the required PDU mix.
PMI-RMP® PMI Risk Management Professional
Who can apply
- Secondary diploma: 36 months of project risk experience and 40 hours of risk education.
- Bachelor’s degree or higher: 24 months and 30 hours.
- Qualifying GAC degree: 12 months and 30 hours. Count experience within the past five years.
How to earn it
Apply through PMI. After approval, pay for, schedule and pass the exam.
How to maintain it
Earn and report 30 professional development units (PDUs) per three-year cycle and pay the renewal fee. Check PMI for the required PDU mix.
PMI-PMOCP™ PMI PMO Certified Professional
Who can apply
- Hold a secondary diploma or equivalent and complete 10 hours of formal PMO education. Show 36 months in a project-related profession within the past eight years or hold a PMP® in good standing.
How to earn it
Apply through PMI. After approval, pay for, schedule and pass the exam.
How to maintain it
Earn and report 30 professional development units (PDUs) per three-year cycle and pay the renewal fee. Check PMI for the required PDU mix.
PMI-PBA® PMI Professional in Business Analysis
Who can apply
- Secondary diploma: 60 months of business analysis experience. Bachelor’s degree or higher: 36 months. For these routes, count experience from the past eight years.
- Qualifying GAC degree: 24 months of nonoverlapping business analysis experience. Complete 35 hours of business analysis education for any route.
How to earn it
Apply through PMI. After approval, pay for, schedule and pass the exam.
How to maintain it
Earn and report 60 professional development units (PDUs) per three-year cycle and pay the renewal fee. Check PMI for the required PDU mix.
PMI-SP® PMI Scheduling Professional
Who can apply
- Secondary diploma: 40 months of scheduling experience and 40 hours of scheduling education.
- Four-year degree: 24 months and 30 hours.
- Qualifying GAC degree: 12 months and 30 hours. Count experience within the past five years.
How to earn it
Apply through PMI. After approval, pay for, schedule and pass the exam.
How to maintain it
Earn and report 30 professional development units (PDUs) per three-year cycle and pay the renewal fee. Check PMI for the required PDU mix.
PMI-CP™ PMI Construction Professional
Who can apply
- Complete PMI’s four required training modules and have three years of experience on construction or built-environment projects within the past 10 years.
How to earn it
Apply through PMI. After approval, pay for, schedule and pass the exam.
How to maintain it
Earn and report 30 professional development units (PDUs) per three-year cycle and pay the renewal fee. Check PMI for the required PDU mix.
PMI-CPMAI™ PMI Certified Professional in Managing AI
Who can apply
- You can enroll without prior AI, technical or project management experience. Finish the required PMI-CPMAI™ exam prep course before scheduling the exam.
How to earn it
Complete the required course, then schedule and pass the exam.
How to maintain it
Earn and report 30 professional development units (PDUs) per three-year cycle and pay the renewal fee. Check PMI for the required PDU mix.
CSPP™ Certified Sustainable Project Professional
Who can apply
- Certified practitioner route: complete 12 hours of formal sustainability training and qualify with a listed active credential plus a secondary diploma or higher, or a qualifying master’s degree in project or program management.
- Other applicants: hold a secondary diploma or equivalent and complete 20 hours of formal sustainability training. Check PMI’s exam outline for the approved training and credential list.
How to earn it
Complete approved training, then schedule and pass the exam for your pathway.
How to maintain it
Earn and report 30 professional development units (PDUs) per three-year cycle and pay the renewal fee. Check PMI for the required PDU mix.
PMI certification directory · PMI renewal requirements
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