PMP Certification Cost in 2026: Exam Fee, Membership and Total Budget

Updated 28 September 2026. PMI raised PMP exam fees on 6 August 2026. This guide uses the new prices. Fees can change again, so confirm the final amount at PMI.org checkout before you pay.

How much does PMP certification cost in 2026? The exam fee is $445 for PMI members and $675 for non-members. That is not your whole bill. You also pay for PMI membership, the required 35 contact hours of training, practice exams, and sometimes a retake.

Most candidates spend about $950 to $1,400 in total. This guide breaks down every line so you can budget once and avoid surprises.

PMP Certification Cost at a Glance

What Changed on 6 August 2026

PMI raised the PMP exam fee on 6 August 2026. Members now pay $445, up from $405. Non-members pay $675, up from $555.

The non-member jump matters most. The gap between the two prices grew from $150 to $230. That gap is now larger than the cost of membership.

If you paid your exam fee before 6 August, you kept the older price. If you register today, you pay the new one. Many online guides still quote the old $405 and $555 figures, so check the date on any cost guide before you trust it.

Cost 1: PMI Membership

Membership is optional, but the maths favours it. It costs about $139 to $164 in the first year, depending on your region and the current price. It cuts the exam fee by $230.

Member route: about $604. Non-member route: $675.

Even at the top of that range, you come out about $65 ahead on the exam alone. Members also get free digital access to the PMBOK Guide and other PMI standards. Renewal costs less too: $60 instead of $150.

In India, PMI shows the membership price in rupees at checkout. GST at 18% applies on top.

Cost 2: The PMP Exam Fee

Exam fee in USD

Members pay $445. Non-members pay $675. Either fee covers one attempt. You pay it after PMI approves your application.

Exam fee in India (INR)

PMI shows a localised price for Indian billing addresses. Before the increase, members paid Rs. 24,708. Non-members paid Rs. 50,025 plus 18% GST, about Rs. 59,030. PMI repriced on 6 August, so open the checkout to see today’s exact figure.

Want the step-by-step payment walkthrough and GST breakdown? Read our PMP exam fee in India guide. For eligibility and the application steps, see PMP certification in India 2026.

Cost 3: The 35 Contact Hours of Training

PMI requires 35 contact hours of project management education before you can apply. For most candidates, this is the biggest cost.

Live bootcamps cost more. They also add mentor access, exam-style practice, and help with your PMI application. A cheap course that leaves you unprepared costs more if you fail and retake.

PMI updated the exam content outline in July 2026, so check that your course covers the current syllabus. Our guide on why the People domain dropped to 33% shows what changed.

Already hold the CAPM? You skip the 35-hour requirement. See CAPM certification requirements and salary for the details.

Cost 4: Practice Exams and Study Materials

Budget $0 to $100. Full-length mock exams show whether you are ready before you book. Many training providers include a simulator in the course fee, so check before you buy one separately.

You can test yourself first with our free mock test. Then build a schedule around your exam date with the study plan generator.

Costs People Forget

Retake fee

A retake costs $275 for members and $375 for non-members. You get three attempts within one year of application approval. If you miss the pass mark, our PMP exam recovery plan shows how to fix the gaps.

Rescheduling fee

Move your exam more than 30 days ahead and it costs nothing. Inside 30 days, a fee applies. One source reports about $70. Inside 48 hours, you cannot move it at all. Pick a date you can keep.

Renewal every three years

Renewal costs $60 for members and $150 for non-members. You also need 60 PDUs. Read our PMP renewal fee breakdown and our guide to earning PMI PDUs to plan ahead.

Your Total Budget: Three Realistic Scenarios

Here is how the pieces add up for a first-attempt pass.

Illustrative midpoints in USD. Live-cohort pricing varies by provider.

• Lean, member, self-paced: about $954.
• Standard, member, live cohort: about $1,404.
• Lean, no membership: about $1,025.

The no-membership route costs $71 more than the lean member route, and it skips the free PMBOK access. Add $275 if you retake as a member. One retake erases most of the saving from picking the cheapest course.

Is the PMP Worth the Cost?

Ask about payback time, not just price. PMP holders earn a pay premium in most markets, and the credential opens senior roles. We break down real salary numbers in is PMP certification still worth it. For roles and employers hiring in India, see jobs with PMP certification in India.

Seven Ways to Lower Your PMP Cost

1. Join PMI before you register. The $230 exam saving beats the membership price.
2. Ask your employer to sponsor you. Many companies reimburse certification costs.
3. Choose training that bundles simulators. You avoid paying twice.
4. Use the CAPM route if you qualify. It removes the 35-hour requirement.
5. Earn renewal PDUs for free. Webinars, volunteering and mentoring all count.
6. Book your date more than 30 days out. You avoid rescheduling fees.
7. Book only when you score well on full mocks. That protects you from a $275 retake.

Check This Before You Pay

• Confirm the current exam fee at PMI.org checkout.
• Check your billing country and the GST line.
• Compare training prices with simulators and application help included.
• Confirm your provider issues a completion certificate for the 35 hours.

Key Takeaways

• PMI raised exam fees on 6 August 2026: $445 for members, $675 for non-members.
• Membership now saves $230 on the exam, more than it costs.
• Training is the biggest and most flexible line in your budget.
• Most first-attempt candidates spend about $950 to $1,400 in total.
• A retake adds $275 for members, so prepare well before you book.

Watch our recent QnA session for further insights into how Agile and PMP professionals are navigating exam preparations and application doubts!

Ready to Get Certified Before the Syllabus Changes?

At ShriLearning, our comprehensive PMP bootcamps include your 35 Contact Hours, premium mock simulators, and step-by-step PMI application assistance so you never have to worry about a sudden audit.

Keep advancing in your PMP journey — explore our other in-depth guides

• Agile vs Waterfall: Which Methodology is Right for Your Project?
• The 5 Scrum Events Explained: Purpose, Attendees, and Effective Execution
• Why PMP Aspirants Fail? – And How to Avoid Them
• Confused Between Agile, Hybrid, and Predictive? Here’s a Clear Comparison
• Why You Should Track Your Errors — and How to Do It Right

Your first project is calling—will you answer? Join the ShriLearning Community Connect with fellow PMP aspirants and expert instructors. Crete your study plan for free from ShriLearning study-plan-generator.

Sign Up for PMP Training