Eligibility & Application
What are the 35 PMP contact hours?
The short answer
The 35 contact hours are a mandatory educational requirement of formal project management training. One hour of classroom or directed online instruction equals one contact hour.
Before sitting for the exam, PMI requires candidates to provide proof of formal project management education. These 35 hours must specifically address project management learning objectives (e.g., quality, scope, schedule, budget, communications, risk, procurement).
Training can be obtained through PMI Authorized Training Partners (ATPs), employer-sponsored programs, university courses, or distance-learning companies. Self-directed reading does not count; the education must include instruction or an assessment.
If a candidate currently holds an active CAPM certification, PMI waives this 35-hour training requirement completely.
Choose your PMP course
Compare the Virtual 4-Day Live PMP course and the 4-Week Online Sprint, then choose the schedule that fits you.