PMP Cost 2026: $445 Member, $675 Non-Member + Full Breakdown

Quick Answer: The PMP exam fee in 2026 is $445 for PMI members and $675 for non-members, after PMI's increase on 6 August 2026. That fee covers one attempt and nothing else. On top of it you pay for PMI membership if you want the member rate, the 35 hours of required training, and any practice exams. Reported all-in budgets run from roughly $940 for a lean self-paced route to roughly $4,400 or more for a premium live route, before a possible $275 member retake. Membership pays for itself on the exam fee alone: the $230 fee gap is larger than any membership price reported, even with the one-time application fee.

PMP Cost at a Glance

Here is every line item in one place. The right-hand column tells you how reliable each number is, because not every figure comes straight from PMI.

Reading from Canada? Our PMP certification cost in Canada guide covers Canada-specific detail. Not sure you qualify yet? Check the

PMP eligibility requirements for 2026 before you pay for anything.

A pattern runs through the table. Fixed PMI fees are small compared with the training, and the training price is where candidates have the most control.

How Much Does the PMP Exam Cost in 2026?

PMI charges $445 to members and $675 to non-members for one attempt at the PMP exam. The $230 difference is the single biggest reason to consider membership.

PMI raised these fees on 6 August 2026, shortly after the July 2026 exam update. If you read an older article quoting $405 or $425 for members, that article is out of date. Several well-ranked cost guides still show those lower figures.

Three rules govern how the fee works:

• You pay the fee after PMI accepts your application, not when you submit it.
• After approval you have one year to take the exam, with up to three attempts in that year.
• The fee covers one attempt. A failed attempt means paying a retake fee.

After PMI accepts your application you pay the fee, so it helps to understand the PMP application process before you start.

The PMP exam has 180 questions and runs about four hours with two 10-minute breaks, so the fee buys a single, long sitting. That is worth knowing when you decide how ready to be before you book.

Is PMI Membership Worth It for the PMP? Price and Break-Even

Membership is optional for the PMP, and PMI says so in its own handbook. It is what unlocks the lower exam fee, a free digital PMBOK Guide and other PMI standards, discounts on renewals, and free eLearning courses that can earn PDUs.

What it costs is harder to pin down than most articles admit. PMI's public membership pages list the benefits but not the price, which only appears when you start the joining process. Training sites report figures between about $129 and $164 a year, plus a one-time $10 application fee. We use that range below and recommend you confirm your exact price and any tax at checkout.

The decision does not depend on the exact price, because the gap is large enough to cover the whole reported range.

Exam fee gap          = 675 - 445 = $230
Lowest membership     = 129 + 10 = $139   ->  you save 230 - 139 = $91
Highest membership    = 164 + 10 = $174   ->  you save 230 - 174 = $56
With one retake       = add 375 - 275 = $100 more saving
Saving incl. retake   = $156 to $191

So on the exam fee alone, joining saves between $56 and $91 in the first year, and more if you need a retake. You also get the free PMBOK Guide digital edition, which non-members would otherwise pay for.

When membership is not worth it

• If you plan to let it lapse and your employer already holds a PMI membership you can use.
• If you are joining only for the renewal discount. Renewal is $60 for members and $150 for non-members, a $90 saving, but three years of membership costs roughly $387 to $492 at the reported prices. Joining just for the renewal discount does not pay off unless you use the other benefits.

A fair rule: join before you pay for the exam, then decide at renewal whether the benefits are worth keeping.

Are Taxes or Extra Charges Added to PMP Fees?

This is the section most cost guides skip, and it is where surprises appear.

• Taxes. PMI does not publish tax rates on its public pages. One training site lists membership as the price plus tax, and another notes that taxes may apply in some countries. Whether sales tax, VAT, GST or HST is added depends on your billing country and region. We could not verify tax treatment, so we do not quote a rate. Read the total on the checkout page before you confirm.
• Currency. PMI prices in US dollars for candidates in the US and Canada. If you pay from a Canadian account, the final amount depends on the exchange rate that day.
• Card fees. Your bank or card issuer may add a foreign-transaction fee on US-dollar charges. Check your card terms. We do not quote a percentage because it varies by issuer.
• Training provider taxes. A training course priced in Canadian or US dollars may carry its own sales tax. Ask the provider whether the quoted price includes it.

A practical habit: screenshot each checkout page. If you are reimbursed by an employer, you will need the totals including any tax.

How Much Is a PMP Retake or Rescheduling Fee?

A retake costs $275 for PMI members and $375 for non-members, per attempt, according to the training providers that publish it. PMI does not list the amounts on its public pages, so confirm when you book. You can attempt the exam up to three times within one year of approval.

Rescheduling is a separate cost. One provider reports that moving your appointment is free if you do it at least 30 days ahead, carries a fee of about $70 if you change it between 2 and 30 days ahead, and forfeits the fee if you change it inside 48 hours. Treat those figures as indicative. Rules are set when you schedule, so read them on the booking page.

A failed attempt is the most expensive avoidable cost. At the member rate, one retake adds $275, which is more than the cost of many practice exam subscriptions. That is the strongest argument for paying for good practice questions up front.

How Much Does PMP Training Cost?

You must complete 35 hours of project management training before you can apply, unless you hold an active CAPM. This is the largest line in your budget and the most variable one. The same 35 hours can cost under $200 from a video marketplace or $4,000 and more in a classroom, a difference of 20 times or more. That gap is not random, and understanding it is the best way to avoid overpaying or buying training that does not count.

PMP training cost by format

Ranges are what training providers and cost guides report, not prices set by PMI. They move over time, and the top end is open: premium and corporate programs can cost more than the figures shown. Dividing by 35 gives a cost per training hour, a simple way to compare quotes of different sizes.

Why the price varies so much

Seven factors explain most of the spread. Two providers can both deliver 35 hours and still sit at opposite ends of the range.

Reviews deserve a plain explanation. A provider with hundreds of genuine reviews on an independent platform such as Trustpilot has earned them across many cohorts of real students, and it has more to lose if the training falls short, which is reflected in its price. Reviews are a better guide than a brand name or an advertisement because they come from people who took the class and sat the exam. Look for volume, recent dates, a mix of ratings, and detailed comments about the instructor, the practice exams and the support after class. Be cautious when reviews appear only on the provider's own website, or when they are vague and repetitive. A higher price does not guarantee you will pass, and PMI itself advises caution with providers that guarantee a pass. Ask who teaches the class and how recently the content was updated for the 2026 exam outline.

What a PMI Authorized Training Partner is, and why it affects the price

PMI says its Authorized Training Partners are vetted and approved by PMI to deliver official, instructor-led PMP training. That status is one of the biggest reasons for a higher price, and it brings specific differences.

• Official content. PMI states that only ATPs use PMI's official course content, which maps to the Exam Content Outline, so you spend your hours on what the exam tests.
• Qualified instructors. PMI says ATP instructors for the PMP hold the PMP and complete a PMI trainer course.
• Hours that count. ATP courses are designed to satisfy the 35-hour requirement.
• A verifiable badge. You can confirm a provider's status in PMI's Training Partner Directory, so you do not have to take a website's word for it.
• A deadline advantage. From 1 December 2026, live instructor-led training counts only when it comes from an ATP or an eligible accredited academic program.

None of this means every ATP is expensive or that a non-ATP course is a bad one. Self-paced courses from other providers can still count when they meet PMI's criteria. But for live classes after 1 December 2026, ATP status stops being a quality signal and becomes a requirement, so a cheap live class from a provider that is not an ATP can end up counting for nothing.

How to compare two quotes fairly

Do not compare headline prices. Compare what each quote leaves you still needing to buy.

Provider A: self-paced, $499, no practice exams or application help
   add a $200 simulator  ->  $499 + $200 = $699
Provider B: live ATP course, $899, practice exams and application help included
   $899
Real difference = 899 - 699 = $200, for a live instructor, application help and ATP status

The example is illustrative, but the method is general. Add what you would have to buy separately, then judge whether the extra is worth a live instructor, application help and a PMI-vetted provider.

• Check ATP status. Look for the PMI ATP badge and verify it in PMI's directory.
• Ask who teaches. The instructor should be named, PMP-certified and experienced.
• Ask when the content was last updated. It should reflect the July 2026 outline.
• List what is included. Practice exams, application help, certificate, post-class support.
• Read the refund terms. A guarantee is only as good as its conditions.
• Read genuine reviews. Check Trustpilot or a similar independent platform for volume, recent dates and detailed comments, not only testimonials on the provider's own site.

Where a premium ATP course fits

Our 35-hour live PMP certification course sits at the premium end of this spectrum on purpose. We are a PMI Authorized Training Partner with a PMP-certified instructor, 2,000+ practice questions and mock exams, application help and support after class, and students rate us 4.8 (Excellent) on Trustpilot across 900+ reviews. Please check our website for the current price.

Two rules affect which option is safe. Self-paced training can come from any organization if it meets PMI's alignment and quality criteria. Starting 1 December 2026, live instructor-led training counts only if it is delivered by a PMI Authorized Training Partner or an eligible accredited academic program. Training completed before that date stays eligible.

How Much Do PMP Study Materials and Practice Exams Cost?

Beyond the course itself, most candidates spend on practice questions. These are the typical reported ranges.

Many live courses include practice exams. If yours does, do not pay for a second subscription until you have finished the first.

How Much Does PMP Renewal Cost Every Three Years?

Earning the PMP is not the last cost. To keep it active you need 60 professional development units (PDUs) in each three-year cycle and a renewal fee. Training sites report $60 for members and $150 for non-members. PMI states that the amount depends on your membership status and region, so your dashboard shows the exact figure.

Our full PMP renewal and PDU guide explains how to earn the 60 PDUs.

PDUs themselves can often be earned at little or no cost through free webinars, volunteering, learning from work and PMI's free eLearning for members. Budget for the fee and treat paid PDU courses as optional.

Hidden Costs Most Guides Leave Out

• Time off work. A live bootcamp usually takes several days, and exam day takes about half a day with travel and check-in.
• Test-center travel. If you sit the exam at a center, add transport and possibly parking. Online proctoring avoids this but needs a quiet room and a working setup.
• Audit preparation. If PMI selects your application for audit, you will need to gather proof of education, training and references. The cost is mostly your time, but it can be delay if you are unprepared.
• A second attempt. Plan for the possibility. Budgeting $275 to $375 for a retake you do not need is cheap insurance compared with being surprised.

What Is the Total PMP Cost? Three Sample Budgets

These use the reported ranges above. Each assumes PMI membership at the $139 to $174 first-year cost (annual fee plus application fee) and the $445 member exam fee. Your total will land somewhere inside the range, and premium programs can push it higher.

Lean low   = 139 + 445 + 259 + 100 = 943
Lean high  = 174 + 445 + 1000 + 300 = 1,919
Mid low    = 139 + 445 + 850 + 0 = 1,434
Mid high   = 174 + 445 + 1500 + 300 = 2,419
Premium    = 139 + 445 + 2000 + 0 = 2,584  to  174 + 445 + 3500 + 300 = 4,419

The same lean route without membership costs $1,034 to $1,975 ($675 exam fee plus training and practice exams), so membership lowers the total in every scenario.

Why Choose a Premium PMI Authorized Training Partner Course

Training is where the PMP budget is won or lost, and it is where we focus. Gold Standard Certifications is a PMI Authorized Training Partner, and our live PMP course is built for candidates who want to pass on the first attempt, not just collect 35 hours.

What you get

• 35 hours of live online, instructor-led training, recognized as 35 PMI contact hours and taught by Stephen Mercer, PMP, a PMI ATP instructor.
• 2,000+ practice questions and realistic mock exams built around the current domain weighting, so you do not need to buy a separate simulator.
• Application assistance, so the experience, training and eligibility parts of your PMI application are handled correctly the first time.
• Support after the class ends, which matters in the weeks between finishing and sitting the exam.
• A 100% money-back guarantee. Read the refund policy for the exact terms before you enrol.
• A course that counts after 1 December 2026, when live classes must come from an ATP or an eligible accredited program.

What our students say

Reviews are the most honest signal in this category, so we encourage you to read ours. Gold Standard Certifications holds a 4.8 TrustScore, rated Excellent, across 900+ reviews on Trustpilot. Read the reviews for volume, recent dates and detail about the instructor, the practice exams and the support after class, and compare them with any other provider you are considering.

Why a premium course can protect your total cost

• Practice exams are already included. A separate simulator costs about $100 to $300.
• Application help reduces the risk of a delayed or rejected application.
• Passing on the first attempt avoids a retake fee, which is $275 for members and $375 for non-members as reported.
• A PMP-certified ATP instructor teaches PMI's official content mapped to the exam outline, so your hours go to what the exam tests.

Price

Prices and batch dates change, so please check our PMP course page for the current price, what is included, and any available discounts. The PMI exam fee and PMI membership are paid separately to PMI.

When a different route may suit you

• If you are disciplined and happy to study alone, a qualifying self-paced course can cost less.
• If your employer already pays for a specific provider, use that provider if it qualifies for the 35 hours.
• If you need training before 1 December 2026 and have no other option, any provider that meets PMI's quality requirements counts.

The question to ask is not which course is cheapest. It is which route gets you through the exam on the first attempt for the lowest total.

Is the PMP Worth the Cost?

PMI's 14th edition Earning Power survey, based on 14,628 respondents across 21 countries, reports a US median of $135,000 for PMP-certified respondents against $109,157 for non-certified respondents, a difference of nearly 24%. Those holding the PMP for more than ten years report a $173,000 median.

135,000 - 109,157 = $25,843 difference
25,843 / 12 = about $2,154 per month
Lean route high estimate $1,919 = about 0.9 months of that difference

Read that with care. It compares two groups of people, not one person before and after certifying, so it shows an association and not a guaranteed raise. It does suggest the certification cost is small relative to the salary gap reported across the profession.

How Can You Lower the PMP Cost? Seven Ways

• Join PMI before you pay the exam fee, to capture the $230 saving.
• Ask your employer to reimburse the exam fee, training or membership. Get approval in writing first.
• Choose a course that bundles practice exams, application help and a completion certificate. Bundling alone can save $100 to $300.
• Use the free digital PMBOK Guide that comes with membership instead of buying books.
• Do not pay for multiple practice exam subscriptions at once.
• Schedule only when you are scoring consistently well on full-length practice exams, so you do not pay for a retake.
• Earn renewal PDUs through free learning instead of paid courses.

Cost Mistakes to Avoid

• Trusting an old figure. Fees changed on 6 August 2026. Check the date on any cost guide.
• Comparing training prices without comparing what is included. A cheaper course with no practice exams or application help can cost more overall.
• Joining PMI only for the renewal discount. That saving is $90 against a membership that costs more over three years.
• Forgetting taxes and card fees. Look at the final checkout total.
• Booking the exam too early. A retake costs more than extra study time.

FAQ

How much does the PMP certification cost in 2026?

The exam fee alone is $445 for PMI members and $675 for non-members. Adding PMI membership, the 35 hours of required training and practice exams, most candidates spend roughly $940 to $4,400, and sometimes more, depending mainly on how they take the training.

What is the PMP exam fee in 2026?

$445 for PMI members and $675 for non-members, after the increase that took effect on 6 August 2026. Many older articles still show lower figures such as $405 or $425 for members.

Is PMI membership worth it for the PMP exam?

For most first-time candidates, yes. The non-member exam fee is $230 higher than the member fee. Even at the highest membership price reported ($164 a year plus a $10 application fee), joining saves about $56 on the exam alone and about $156 if you need one retake.

How much is the PMP retake fee?

Training providers consistently report $275 for members and $375 for non-members per retake. PMI does not list these amounts on its public pages, so confirm the figure when you book. You get up to three attempts within one year of your application being approved.

Are taxes added to the PMP exam fee or membership?

Possibly, depending on where you are billed. PMI does not publish tax rates on its public pages, and one training provider lists membership as plus tax. Check the total on your checkout page before you pay.

Is the training included in the exam fee?

No. The exam fee covers one attempt only. The 35 hours of project management training is a separate cost paid to a training provider, and you must complete it before you apply.

Is the PMP more expensive in Canada?

PMI prices the exam and membership in US dollars, so the amount you pay in Canadian dollars depends on the exchange rate and any card foreign-transaction fee. Training prices depend on the provider.

How much does it cost to renew the PMP?

Training sites report $60 for members and $150 for non-members every three years, alongside 60 PDUs. PMI states that the renewal fee depends on membership status and regional pricing, so check your dashboard for your exact amount.

What is the cheapest way to get PMP certified?

A PMI member taking a qualifying self-paced course and using free or low-cost practice questions. The reported all-in range for that route starts at roughly $940. It only works if the course is aligned to the current ECO and includes an assessment and a completion record.

Where can I find the price of the Gold Standard Certifications PMP course?

Please check our website for the current price and upcoming batch dates, because pricing and offers change. We are a PMI Authorized Training Partner, and the course is 35 hours of live online instruction with 2,000+ practice questions and mock exams, application assistance and post-class support. Students rate us 4.8 (Excellent) on Trustpilot across 900+ reviews. The PMI exam fee is paid separately to PMI.

Why does PMP training cost so much more at some providers?

Price reflects delivery format, how well the provider is reviewed by real students, whether it is a PMI Authorized Training Partner using PMI's official content, the quality of the instructors, and what is bundled in, such as practice exams, application help and support. Live ATP courses cost more than recorded courses, but they include more and, after 1 December 2026, live classes must come from an ATP to count.

Can my employer pay for the PMP?

Many employers reimburse exam fees, training or membership. Ask before you pay, because some require approval in advance and some reimburse only after you pass.

Related Reading

• PMP Certification Cost in Canada: 2026 Fee Breakdown: Canada-specific cost detail
• PMP Application Process 2026: A Step-by-Step Guide: what happens between paying and sitting the exam
• PMP Certification Renewal 2026: PDU and CCR Requirements Explained: the full renewal cycle
• New PMP Eligibility Requirements 2026: What Changed: confirm you qualify before you pay anything

Train With a PMI Authorized Training Partner

Gold Standard Certifications is a PMI Authorized Training Partner (ATP). The 35-hour live PMP bootcamp is aligned to PMBOK 8 and the current ECO. It is led by Stephen Mercer, PMP, a PMI ATP instructor with 10+ years of experience, 6,150+ professionals trained, and 205+ PMP bootcamps delivered, and includes 2,000+ practice questions and mock exams built around the current domain weighting. The PMI exam fee is paid separately to PMI.

• PMP® Certification Training: check our website for the current price, batch dates and what is included

Includes application assistance and post-class support, backed by a 100% money-back guarantee. Rated 4.8 (Excellent) by students across 900+ reviews on Trustpilot.