Project Management guide · Careers and certification
35 Contact Hours for PMP: What Counts and How to Get Them
The 35 contact hours requirement is the formal project management education you must complete before applying for the PMP exam. Each contact hour is one hour of instruction in project management, and a current CAPM certification can be used instead.
Key takeaways
- The PMP requires 35 contact hours of project management education, or a CAPM.
- Online, university and employer courses can all count.
- Keep certificates in case of audit.
What counts
- Courses from PMI Authorized Training Partners.
- Courses from other training providers that cover project management topics.
- University or college courses with project management content.
- Employer-run project management training.
- Online self-paced courses with a completion record.
The education must cover project management topics, such as planning, scope, schedule, cost, risk, quality, stakeholders, Agile approaches and leadership.
What does not count
- PMI chapter meetings that are not structured education.
- Self-study with no course or provider, such as only reading a book.
- General business courses with no project management content.
- Hours spent on the exam itself.
How to earn and document the hours
- Choose a provider that issues a certificate showing hours completed.
- Complete the full course, including any assessments.
- Save your certificate and the course outline.
- Record provider, course name, dates and hours in your PMI application.
- Keep evidence safe in case your application is audited.
Contact hours vs PDUs
| Contact hours | PDUs | |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Qualify to sit the exam | Maintain the certification |
| When | Before applying | After you are certified |
| Number | 35 for PMP, 23 for CAPM | 60 for PMP, 15 for CAPM, per 3 years |
See PDUs.
Example
A candidate takes a 20-hour online PMP preparation course and a 15-hour university module on project planning. Together these give 35 qualifying contact hours. They save both certificates and enter them on the PMP application.
Frequently asked questions
What are the 35 contact hours for PMP?
35 hours of formal project management education required before you can apply for the PMP exam.
Can I get the 35 contact hours online?
Yes. Online courses count if they cover project management topics and provide a completion record.
Do the 35 contact hours expire?
PMI does not set an expiry date on contact hours, but always check the current PMP handbook.
Does the CAPM replace the 35 contact hours?
Yes. A current CAPM satisfies the PMP's education requirement.
Do the 35 contact hours have to come from a PMI provider?
No. Courses from other providers and universities can count if they cover project management.
Can I combine several courses to make up the 35 contact hours?
Yes, as long as the total reaches 35 qualifying hours.
Are the 35 contact hours the same as PDUs?
No. Contact hours qualify you for the exam; PDUs maintain the certification afterwards.
What evidence do I need for the 35 contact hours?
A certificate or transcript showing the provider, course, dates and hours.
What if my 35 contact hours are audited?
PMI will ask for evidence of your education and experience, so keep certificates ready.
Does Agile training count towards the 35 contact hours?
Yes. Agile and hybrid project management education counts towards the 35 hours.