The Project Management Professional (PMP) is the best-known project management credential in the world, with more than 1.2 million holders. Here is what it takes in 2026: who qualifies, what it costs, what changed on the exam this year, and a training rule that changes later this quarter.
Who qualifies
PMI’s certification page sets two routes. With a four-year degree you need 36 months of experience leading projects within the past eight years. With a high school diploma or associate degree you need 60 months. Both routes also need 35 hours of project management education, or an active CAPM in place of the training.
PMI’s July 2026 exam content outline describes a more detailed ladder, counting experience over the past 10 years: 60 months with secondary school, 48 months with an associate-level program, 36 months with a bachelor’s degree, and 24 months with a degree from a program accredited by PMI’s Global Accreditation Center (GAC). It also says books and practice exams alone do not count as training. Check PMI’s current handbook when you apply, because the two documents differ.
What it costs
PMI lists the exam at $405 for members and $555 for non-members. New PMI members in Canada pay US$169 plus tax a year, which since February 2025 includes membership in a home chapter. At first sitting, joining costs slightly more than paying the non-member fee. Members get more value over time, through renewal pricing, chapter events and PMI resources.
View the data
| Cost item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Non-member exam fee | $555 |
| Member exam fee | $405 |
| PMI membership (new, Canada) | US$169 |
| Membership + member exam | $574 |
Add the cost of your 35 hours of training. That ranges from self-paced online courses to college certificates; part 5 of this series compares Ontario programs.
The exam in 2026
The current exam follows PMI’s July 2026 content outline. It has 180 questions (170 scored and 10 unscored pretest items) in 240 minutes, including two 10-minute breaks. The domains are People (33%), Process (41%) and Business Environment (26%). About 40% of questions cover predictive (traditional) approaches; the rest cover agile and hybrid approaches. You can sit it online with a remote proctor or at a test centre.
A training rule changing in late 2026
PMI announced in May 2026 that, from late in the fourth quarter of 2026, live instructor-led training will count toward the 35 hours only if it is delivered by a PMI Authorized Training Partner or an eligible accredited university, including GAC-accredited programs. Self-paced on-demand training is not affected, and training completed before the change stays eligible.
If you are about to enrol in a live course, ask the provider directly whether it is an Authorized Training Partner. Some colleges describe themselves as PMI “Registered Education Providers”, a different status.
Keeping it
The PMP runs on a three-year cycle. You need 60 professional development units (PDUs) per cycle, earned through courses, work and giving back to the profession, plus a renewal fee that depends on membership.
Is it worth it?
PMI’s 14th salary survey (November 2025), covering 21 countries, found PMP holders earn a median salary 17% higher than non-holders. Canada-specific figures are in the full report, which is for PMI members. Treat the premium as a correlation: PMP holders also tend to have more experience.
Your next steps
- Log your project experience by month and role now, while you still remember the details.
- Choose training from an Authorized Training Partner if it is live and you will finish after the PMI change.
- Decide on PMI membership based on renewal and chapter value, not the first exam fee.
- Book the exam once you score consistently well on full-length practice tests.
Frequently asked questions
Can I write the PMP exam from home in Canada?
Yes. PMI offers online proctored exams as well as test centre appointments.
Does a CAPM count toward the PMP?
An active CAPM replaces the 35 hours of training. It does not reduce the experience requirement.
What happens if I reschedule late?
PMI’s handbook lists a US$70 fee (plus tax) to reschedule or cancel within 30 days of the exam.
Project Management Careers in Canada: the series
- PM certifications recognized in Canada
- PMP in Canada: requirements, cost and exam (you are here)
- CAPM vs PMP: which first
- Construction credentials: Gold Seal, PQS, AACE
- PM certificates at Ontario colleges and universities
- Graduate degrees in project management
- The PM career path and wages
- Construction career paths by role
- How to become a project scheduler
- Internationally trained PMs: getting recognized
Sources: PMI: PMP certification (eligibility and fees); PMI: PMP Examination Content Outline, July 2026; PMI blog: Why train for the PMP with a PMI Authorized Training Partner (May 4, 2026); PMI Ottawa Valley Outaouais Chapter: New membership model; PMI: Continuing Certification Requirements Handbook (April 2026); PMI: Salary survey press release (November 13, 2025); PMI: Certification Handbook (June 2026). Chart and cover: Benjamin R. Consulting.