The PMP certification requirements changed with the PMP exam that PMI launched on 9 July 2026. There are now four eligibility paths based on your education, your project experience can come from the past 10 years instead of 8, and the exam has a new content outline. This guide explains what you need before you apply, how to apply, and what the updated exam looks like.
4eligibility paths, from 24 to 60 months of experience
10 yearswindow for your project experience
35 hoursof project management training, or an active CAPM®
60 PDUsevery 3 years to keep the PMP
What changed for 2026
PMI published a new Examination Content Outline that took effect on 9 July 2026. These are the changes that matter for your application and your preparation (PMI, PMP Examination Content Outline).
| Item |
Earlier outline |
Updated outline (from 9 July 2026) |
| Eligibility paths |
Three tracks |
Four paths, based on education level |
| Experience window |
Last 8 years |
Last 10 years |
| Exam questions |
175 scored and 5 unscored |
170 scored and 10 unscored (pretest) |
| Exam time |
230 minutes |
240 minutes, with two 10-minute breaks |
| People domain |
42% |
33% |
| Process domain |
50% |
41% |
| Business Environment domain |
8% |
26% |
| New question formats |
– |
Case or scenario questions and graphic-based questions |
Still the same
The 35 hours of project management training requirement is unchanged, and so is renewal: 60 professional development units (PDUs) every 3 years (PMI announcement summary).
The four PMP eligibility paths
You qualify through one path. Your education decides how many months of project leadership experience you need, and every path also needs the 35 hours of training described below.
| Your education |
Experience needed |
| Secondary school diploma, GED-type equivalent or school leaving certificate |
60 months (5 years) leading projects |
| Associate-level degree, higher certificate or an advanced technical or vocational programme |
48 months (4 years) leading projects |
| Bachelor’s degree or higher from a recognised institution |
36 months (3 years) leading projects |
| Bachelor’s or postgraduate degree from a programme accredited by PMI’s Global Accreditation Center (GAC) |
24 months (2 years) leading projects |
In every case the months must be non-overlapping and must fall within the 10 years before you submit your application. PMI notes that GAC accreditation is a programme quality designation and does not by itself change the degree level required (PMI, PMP Examination Content Outline).
What counts as project experience
Leading and directing projects
Your application must show that you led and directed projects in a professional setting. The work does not have to be paid, but it must be professional. Experience is counted in months, so if two projects overlap, the overlapping months count only once.
These do not count as qualifying project experience:
- School projects and academic research for a degree
- Planning personal events
- Home improvement projects
- Routine, operational or administrative tasks
If you work in construction, engineering or facilities, review your last 10 years and list each project with its dates and your role. Each entry should show that you led and directed the work.
The 35 hours of project management training
Every path requires at least 35 hours of commercial project management training that is aligned with the PMP Examination Content Outline.
- Live online, classroom and self-paced courses are all allowed, but self-paced courses need an end-of-course assessment
- Books and practice exams on their own do not count as training
- An active CAPM® certification waives the 35 hours
- Training is subject to audit, so keep your certificate of completion
Choose a course that is built on the updated outline. Green International’s PMP certification course in Qatar was updated for the July 2026 exam and covers the 35 hours, mock exams and scenario-based practice.
How to meet the requirements: step by step
1
Eligibility
Choose your path
Match your highest qualification to one of the four paths and work out whether your leadership experience meets the months required within the past 10 years.
2
Training
Complete the 35 hours
Enrol on a PMP course aligned with the current outline, or use an active CAPM® if you hold one. See the PMP course page for the course content and the PMP training schedule for the next batches.
3
Application
Record your experience
In the online application, enter each project individually with its dates, your role and what you led. PMI may audit your education and experience, so keep supporting documents ready.
4
Preparation
Prepare for the updated exam
Use the Examination Content Outline as your checklist, practise with scenario and graphic-based questions, and take full-length mock exams under timed conditions.
5
Exam
Pay, schedule and sit the exam
Once your application is approved, you pay PMI’s examination fee and schedule the exam. Check the PMI website for the current fee and delivery options.
180questions: 170 scored and 10 unscored
240 minexam time, plus two 10-minute breaks
33%People domain
41%Process domain
26%Business Environment domain
40 / 60About 40% of questions cover predictive approaches. The other 60% cover agile, adaptive or hybrid approaches, across all three domains.
The exam starts with a case-study section, followed by a break and then the independent questions. After you start a break, you cannot return to the previous section. The question formats include:
- Case or scenario (new)
- Graphic-based (new)
- Multiple-choice
- Multiple-response
- Matching
- Point and click
- Pull-down list
Some formats are available only at test centres. The details are in the PMI content outline.
PMBOK Guide 8th Edition
Our PMP preparation is based on the new outline and on the PMBOK® Guide, Eighth Edition, which has six principles, seven performance domains (Governance, Scope, Schedule, Finance, Stakeholders, Resources and Risk), five focus areas and 40 processes. The course page explains how we teach them alongside the three exam domains.
Keeping the PMP after you pass
You maintain the credential by completing and submitting 60 PDUs every 3 years and paying the renewal fee. Start recording your PDUs early so that renewal is straightforward.
How Green International helps
- 35 hours of PMP training aligned with the July 2026 outline
- Scenario-based learning and full-length mock exams
- Predictive, agile and hybrid approaches, with the PMBOK® Guide 8th Edition
- Online and in-class options with a dedicated LMS
Green International has trained more than 75,000 professionals since 2010 across 35+ courses. To compare options, read our guide to the best PMP certification exam training course, or see CFM vs PMP if you are choosing between certifications.
Frequently asked questions
What are the PMP certification requirements in 2026?
You need one of four education and experience combinations: 60 months with a secondary school diploma, 48 months with an associate-level or vocational qualification, 36 months with a bachelor’s degree or higher, or 24 months with a degree from a GAC-accredited programme. Every path also needs 35 hours of project management training or an active CAPM®.
How recent must my project experience be?
It must have been gained within the 10 years before you submit your application. This replaces the earlier 8-year window.
Do I need a degree to apply for the PMP?
No. With a secondary school diploma you need 60 months of experience leading projects, plus the 35 hours of training.
Can I count overlapping projects?
Experience is tracked in months. If two projects run at the same time, the overlapping months are counted once.
Do books or practice exams count towards the 35 hours?
No. PMI does not accept books or practice exams alone as commercial training. A course with an end-of-course assessment can be self-paced.
How many PDUs do I need to renew?
Start your PMP preparation with Green International
Choose a course built on the updated PMP outline and PMBOK® Guide 8th Edition. Our consultants can confirm which eligibility path suits you and the next batch dates.
Call or WhatsApp +974 5108 8145 | +974 6646 4941 | +974 3340 3359
Official references
PMI can update its requirements, fees and exam delivery options. Always confirm the current details on the PMI website before you apply.
Green International Institute, 146 Ibn Seena Street, Muntazah, Doha, Qatar
Website: www.greenintl.net
Email: training@greenintl.net
Phone: +974 5108 8145 | +974 6646 4941 | +974 3340 3359 | +974 3110 0686 | +974 5104 7648 | +974 4476 0135
