PMP exam fee in 2026: $405 or $655?
The PMP® exam fee depends on whether you are a PMI member, and the gap is bigger than many people expect. Here are PMI's current figures and a quick way to work out whether membership is worth it for you.
Quick Answer
PMI's PMP page lists $405 for members and $655 at full price, a $250 difference. In the US, individual membership is $164 a year, so joining first saves about $86 on your first attempt. Prices vary by country, so confirm yours in your PMI account.
The two prices
| Applicant | PMP exam fee (US$) |
|---|---|
| PMI member | $405 |
| Non-member (full price) | $655 |
PMI also notes that you only pay after your application has been accepted and you're ready to schedule. Its handbook says fees depend on membership and regional pricing, and that membership isn't required to take the exam.
Is membership worth it?
On PMI's US store, individual membership is listed at $164 a year and auto-renews, though you can cancel at any time. Put side by side:
| Non-member | Member | |
|---|---|---|
| PMP exam fee | $655 | $405 |
| Membership, first year | none | $164 |
| Total | $655 | $569 |
That is a saving of $86 on the exam alone, before you count the discount on renewal fees and the other member benefits PMI lists. Membership prices differ by country and by whether you add a local chapter, so treat these numbers as the US baseline. Our UAE cost guide and India cost guide cover local pricing.
Full-time students can use a student rate, according to PMI's membership page.
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What else to budget for
The exam fee is only part of the bill. You also need 35 contact hours of project management education before you apply, which is a separate cost (see what training counts). If you need a second attempt, PMI discounts retakes within your eligibility period. Rescheduling inside 30 days of your appointment costs US$70 plus taxes. And every three years you pay a renewal fee, covered in our PMP renewal guide.
Checking your exact price
Sign in to PMI.org, start your PMP application and look at the fee at payment, with and without membership, before you confirm. Our application walkthrough covers each step.
Where 3FOLD fits
Our course fee covers training, not the PMI exam fee, which you pay to PMI. You can see exactly what's included on the PMP exam fees page and in the course details.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the PMP exam?
Do I have to be a member?
Does the exam fee include training?
Is the price the same everywhere?
Keep reading
- PMP exam fees — Our fee overview.
- PMP certification cost in India 2026 — Local breakdown for India.
- PMP certification cost in the UAE 2026 — Local breakdown for the UAE.
- How to apply for the PMP® exam — 3FOLD's application guide.
- PMP® Certification Training — Our live online course, delivered as a PMI Authorized Training Partner.
Ready to get PMP certified?
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