PMI-ACP Certification Cost Breakdown
- PMI Membership (Optional) — $139
- Exam Fee (Member or Non-Member) — $435 or $495
- PMI Registered Training Organization (RTO) Training – 21 Contact Hours (Required) — $200–$2,000
- Study Resources (Books & Simulators) — $50–$200
To avoid a PMI-ACP exam retake, complete a full-length, scenario-based mock exam that is 100% aligned with the real PMI-ACP exam. PMTI offers these mock exams.
Please note that costs are subject to change, so check costs before applying.
PMI-ACP Exam Cost 2026
The PMI-ACP exam costs $435 for members and $495 for non-members. One benefit of membership at $139 per year is that it costs $60 less. It also provides members with free access to the Agile Practice Guide and the PMBOK Guide, which makes the membership cost-positive for every single ACP candidate.
PMI-ACP Exam Fees — Complete Attribute Block
- Exam Fee (PMI Member): $435
- Exam Fee (Non-Member): $495
- Member Discount Value: $60
- Retake Fee (Member and Non-Member): $150
- PMI Annual Membership: $139
- PMI Student Membership: $32 (same exam discount applies)
- PMI Exam Delivery: Online proctored via Pearson VUE or an authorized testing center
- Duration: 3 hours
- Total Questions: 120
- Question Types: Multiple choice, multiple response, matching, and hotspot
- Eligibility Window: 12 months
The PMI reviews exam fees every year. The current $435/$495 fee structure has been consistent through several reviews, and may change at any time. To avoid surprises, check the fees at PMI.org before applying.
Should You Buy PMI Membership Before the PMI-ACP Exam?
By becoming a PMI member, PMI-ACP candidates experience a net financial benefit of $21, even if they do not factor in PMI’s community resources and standards. After a member discounts the exam fee by $60, they receive a free copy of the PMBOK Guide 7th Edition, valued at $60, and a free copy of the Agile Practice Guide, valued at $40. Joining PMI and becoming a member means they do not have to worry about having a gap in PMI community resources and standards, since they get access to those for free as well.
PMI Membership Benefits
If you are a member of PMI, you get a free, downloadable copy of the Agile Practice Guide, which is a reference for PMI-ACP exam prep. The Agile Practice Guide is co-created by PMI and the Agile Alliance, and covers the exam’s content, which includes various delivery frameworks, such as Scrum and Kanban. Non-PMI members who wish to purchase the Agile Practice Guide, have to spend $40–$50.
PMI Student Membership: Costs $32 annually, and members get the same access to the digital library and exam discounts as standard members. The membership gives a further benefit to students enrolled in accredited programs and who can substantiate their student status, as they pay $32, instead of $139.
What Is the Total Cost of PMI-ACP Certification in 2026?
Total PMI-ACP certification costs in 2026 are estimated to be between $700 and $2,500 based on 4 required and optional ways to spend money. Cost estimates are heavily influenced by the method of training selected. Typically, 21 contact hours of self-paced online training is estimated to cost between $200 and $600. In comparison, training courses that are led by instructors are estimated to cost between $800 and $2,000.
Total PMI-ACP Cost Breakdown 2026
| Cost Components | Lower Bound | Upper Bound | Comments |
| PMI Membership | $0 | $139 | Optional. Skipping membership costs $60 more on the exam. |
| Exam Fee | $435 (member) | $495 (non-member) | One-time fee, non-refundable once booked. |
| Agile Training (21 Contact Hours) | $200 | $2,000 | Self-paced online vs. live instructor-led. |
| Study Books | $0 | $100 | Free with membership vs. purchase. |
| Exam Simulator/Practice Tests | $0 | $150 | PMTI access is free vs. paid platform. |
| Retake Fee (if needed) | $0 | $150 | $150 flat fee, members and non-members. |
| TOTAL | ~$700 | ~$2,500 | Excludes costs to renew PDUs. |
Training costs are the most variable and are estimated to drive 80% of the total costs. If a candidate selects the $200 self-paced option and passes the exam on the first attempt, the total costs are estimated to be $700. Conversely, a candidate that selects the $2,000 live boot camp option is estimated to spend $2,500, but does eliminate the gaps in self-study that would otherwise be incurred through retake fees and extended preparation.
PMI-ACP Training Cost Breakdown
Expect PMI-ACP training costs to be around $200 to $2,000. The 3 delivery formats to receive the 21 contact hours PMI mandates as a prerequisite include: self-paced online $200–$600, live virtual instructor-led $800–$1,500, and in-person boot camp $1,200–$2,000. The delivery format selected stipulates the quality of in-application support, live Q&A opportunities and first-attempt pass rate.
Per PMI, 21 contact hours must be for formal training in agile project management and cannot be self-verified through books, YouTube videos or other informal study. The name of the provider, course and amount of hours will be documented in the PMI application and will be auditable.
3 Training Format Options — Cost and Attribute Breakdown
Self-Paced Online $200–$600
PMI’s 21 hour requirement is met; however, as training is completely automated, there is no opportunity to learn and apply the agile framework correctly.
Live Virtual Instructor-Led $800–$1,500
Because training is live, participants are able to learn the framework and correct any misunderstandings therein, prior to taking the exam. Typically, there is some form of application support included.
In-Person Boot Camp $1,200–$2,000
This format provides the most intensive and the most instructional training for the 21 contact hours. Additionally, participants receive training in examination technique and application support. First-attempt pass rates are the highest within this format.
PMTI provides instructor-led agile training by means of live online and in-person boot camps. Both training formats satisfy the 21 contact hours PMI stipulates as an unconditional eligibility requirement, and both formats are backed by a money-back pass guarantee.
What Are the PMI-ACP Eligibility Costs Beyond the Exam Fee?
The PMI-ACP has 4 eligibility requirements. Of these, only 1 has a direct monetary cost. This is the 21 contact hours of agile education, which costs between $200 and $2,000. The other 3 requirements (which comprise general project management experience, agile project experience, and a secondary education credential) have no direct cost, but do require a professional history, which may or may not be available.
PMI-ACP Eligibility Fulfillment — Total Requirement Attribute-Value Breakdown
| Requirement | Minimum Value | Direct Cost |
| Secondary Education Credential | High school diploma | $0 — existing |
| General Project Management Experience | 12 months in last 5 years | $0 — existing |
| Agile Project Management Experience | 8 months in last 3 years | $0 — existing |
| Agile Education Contact Hours | 21 hours from accredited provider | $200–$2,000 |
PMP certification holders fulfill the 12-month general project management experience requirement via their PMP eligibility documentation, thus streamlining the PMI-ACP application. However, the 21 contact hours still need to be completed. Both PMI and PMP require formal agile training to be documented.
PMI only accepts training from one of the PMI-designated organizations who have the authority to certify agile education contact hours for ACP eligibility. Thorough free or non-accredited agile courses are not accepted by PMI during the application review.
What Is the PMI-ACP Exam Retake Cost?
The retake fee is $150, regardless of PMI membership. During the 12-month eligibility window, candidates may take the PMI-ACP exam 3 times. Those who use up all 3 attempts must wait 1 year before being able to apply again, and must pay the full exam fee. Members may pay up to $885, and non-members up to $945, for 3 failed attempts and the reapplication.
PMI-ACP Retake Policy — Full Attribute Block
- Retake Fee: $150 USD
- Maximum Attempts Within Eligibility Window: 3
- Eligibility Window: 12 months from the approval of the PMI application
- Waiting Period After 3 Failed Attempts: 1 year
- Fee After the Waiting Period: Full exam fee ($435 for members, $495 for non-members) — retake fee does not apply
- Cost of 3 Failed Attempts (Member): $735
- Cost of 3 Failed Attempts (Non-Member): $795
- Cost of 3 Failed Attempts + Reapplication (Member): $1,170
The retake fee supports the PMI-ACP exam first attainment investment. Premium training is worth the investment, given the training and retake fee cost difference. Candidates who spend $800 more on live training vs. $200 on a self-paced training course, and who fail the PMI-ACP on the first attempt, will have spent $500 more, plus a second study cycle, unaccounted for yet.
How Much Does the PMI-ACP Certification Cost to Maintain?
The cost of maintaining PMI-ACP certification is $60 per 3-year cycle (for PMI members) and $150 (for non-members). In addition to the renewal fee, certificants are required to earn 30 PDUs within each 3-year cycle. The cost of PDUs is anywhere from free (for PMI webinars, chapter events, and self-directed learning reports) to $500 or more for professional development courses that are paid.
PMI-ACP Maintenance Cost Attributes — 3-Year Cycle
| Attribute | Value |
| PDUs Required per Cycle | 30 |
| Talent Triangle Distribution | Ways of Working + Power Skills + Business Acumen |
| Renewal Fee (PMI Member) | $60 per 3-year cycle ($20/year) |
| Renewal Fee (Non-Member) | $150 per 3-year cycle ($50/year) |
| Free PDU Sources | PMI webinars, chapter meetings, volunteering, self-directed learning |
| Paid PDU Cost Range | $50–$500+ per course |
| Suspension Timeline | Certification suspended until PDUs are earned |
| Reinstatement Fee | Additional fee for lapsed certification — check PMI.org |
The courses that fulfill the 30 continuing certification hours PMI requires every 3 years to keep PMI-ACP certification active focus on the latest in agile methodologies and project leadership and business acumen, and align with the Talent Triangle framework’s project leadership and business acumen category for PMI-ACP certification holders.
Using only free PDU sources, a PMI member pays $60 every 3 years ($20/year) to keep PMI-ACP certification — the cheapest of any PMI certification. Those who drop to non-member status to renew pay $150 every 3 years, which will make PMI membership cost-effective for those who hold multiple PMI certifications.
Is PMI-ACP More Expensive Than PMP Certification?
PMI members will find that taking the PMI-ACP exam ($435) is $30 more expensive than taking the PMP exam ($405). Non-PMI members will find that the PMI-ACP exam ($495) is $60 less than the PMP exam ($555). The PMI-ACP is more cost effective than the PMP because the PMI-ACP requires 21 contact hours and the PMP requires 35 contact hours. PMI-ACP exam prep is also less extensive.
PMI-ACP vs. PMP — Costs at a Glance
| Cost Component | PMI-ACP | PMP |
| Exam Fee (PMI Member) | $435 | $405 |
| Exam Fee (Non-Member) | $495 | $555 |
| Required Contact Hours | 21 | 35 |
| Retake Fee | $150 | $150 |
| Training Cost | $200–$2,000 | $400–$3,000 |
| Study Materials | $50–$200 | $100–$300 |
| Total Cost | $700–$2,500 | $900–$3,500 |
| PDUs for Renewal | 30 | 60 |
Those pursuing both certifications can expect to save 30–40% when doing so in a cost effective manner. The agile and hybrid methods that the PMP covers (which comprise 50% of PMP questions) also cover PMI-ACP content, and a combined agile course will fulfill the contact hours required for both certifications. The most cost-effective option for professionals wishing to earn both certifications within 24 months is a blended predictive and agile curriculum that provides contact hours for both the PMP and the PMI-ACP.
How Do You Reduce the Total Cost of PMI-ACP Certification?
4 ways to lower total PMI-ACP certification cost: buy PMI membership before applying ($121+ net value), align PMI-ACP prep post-PMP to combine study of agile concepts, use PMI’s PDU resources to fulfill the 30-PDU requirement at no cost, and ensure tested readiness prior to schedule to avoid the $150 exam retake.
4 Ways to Lower Cost — Attribution and Impact
Way 1 — Buy PMI Membership Prior to Application
Membership ($139) produces $60 decrease in exam cost + $40 Agile Practice Guide + $60 PMBOK Guide = $160 in exam preparation resources. Net value $21 without accounting for any PMI member-exclusive resources. Every candidate who purchases exam prep materials and does not become a PMI member leaves $100+ in exam prep resources unclaimed.
Way 2 — Align PMI-ACP Prep Post-PMP Training
Content of the Agile Practice Guide and the PMP exam prep agile framework (which makes up 50% of PMP exam questions, per the 2021 ECO update) directly aligns with PMI-ACP exam content. Candidates who complete PMP training prior to commencing PMI-ACP prep will have already studied Scrum, Kanban, hybrid delivery, and agile values/thinking — resulting in a 4–6 week considerable reduction of the PMI-ACP exam prep and avoidance of redundant study resources.
Way 3 — Utilize Free PDU Sources for the 30-PDU Maintenance Requirement
There are many free PDUs offered by PMI-sponsored chapter events, webinars, learning modules on the PMI.org website, and self-directed learning reports. A PMI member who earns 10 free PDUs in a single year fulfills the entire 30-PDU renewal requirement at $0 for PDU courses, which makes the 3-year maintenance cost solely the $60 member renewal fee.
Way 4 — Assess Readiness Before Booking the Exam
The $150 expense to retake the exam is a considerable financial loss when compared to the many PMI-ACP practice test subscriptions offered. A candidate who goes through comprehensive agile domain-scored practice tests that assess readiness before paying the $435 exam fee is serious about the exam date eliminates the most economically avoidable expense in a PMI-ACP investment, which is to sit for the exam and fail the first attempt.
Frequently Asked Questions: PMI-ACP Certification Fees
Are PMI-ACP Exam Fees Updated Annually?
The PMI-ACP exam fees are reviewed regularly, and have been updated several times since 2011 when the certification was first introduced. Nevertheless, they have not changed according to an annual cycle. Recent review periods have seen the same fee structure with PMI members paying $435 and Non-Members paying $495. Check PMI.org for the most up to date fees before making a submission, as changes in fees are done without prior notice.
Does PMI Offer PMI-ACP Exam Discounts for Students or Veterans?
The cost of PMI student membership is $32 annually compared to $139 for standard membership, and students pay a $60 exam fee discount. Students also get the Agile Practice Guide and the PMBOK Guide. PMI does not advertise a general exam discount for veterans. Instead, active U.S. service members and veterans can access exam fee assistance via the education benefit program of their respective service branches. Check the education office of your branch for current eligibility and the PMI military member page for additional eligibility before you apply.
Can PMI-ACP Training Costs Be Reimbursed by an Employer?
Yes — PMI-ACP training costs are routinely reimbursed by employers with professional development budgets. Additional reimbursement justification is provided by PMI’s recognition of the credential as an agile-specific professional certification. Corporate policies typically require a training invoice from an accredited provider, a certificate of completion that documents the hours and provider, and proof of a passing exam result. Candidates that are enrolled via a PMI Authorized Training Partner receive all of this documentation. Submit your reimbursement request before training, as required, in your target organization.
After Payment, Can I Get a Refund for the PMI-ACP Exam?
Refunds are only partial when PMI-ACP applications are cancelled and no exam appointment with Pearson VUE was scheduled yet. When an appointment exists, cancellation timing determines how much of the fee is refunded. Cancellation more than 2 business days before the appointment date will yield a partial refund, while cancellation within 2 business days and failure to show for the appointment will yield no refund. This is PMI’s refund and cancellation policy, and it may change. You may check the most recent terms by contacting PMI customer support directly before cancelling the appointment.
How Long Is PMI-ACP Certification Valid?
PMI-ACP certification is valid for 3 years from the date of initial certification. Maintaining active status requires earning 30 PDUs within the 3-year cycle and paying the renewal fee — $60 for PMI members or $150 for non-members. Candidates who miss the renewal deadline enter a 1-year grace period with a suspended certification status before the credential lapses permanently. Reinstatement after lapse requires a fee and re-documentation — verify current reinstatement requirements at PMI.org.
Does Holding a PMP Certification Reduce the Cost of PMI-ACP Preparation?
Yes — PMP holders reduce PMI-ACP preparation cost in 2 measurable ways. First, the 50% agile and hybrid content studied for the PMP exam (since PMI’s 2021 Exam Content Outline update) directly overlaps with PMI-ACP exam content, reducing effective study time and eliminating redundant study material purchases. Second, PMP holders satisfy the PMI-ACP’s 12-month general project management experience requirement through existing PMP documentation, reducing application drafting time. The 21 contact hours of agile-specific education still apply and require a separate accredited agile training program — they cannot be transferred from PMP training documentation.
What Happens After Failing the PMI-ACP Exam 3 Times?
Failing the PMI-ACP exam 3 times within the 12-month eligibility window triggers a mandatory 1-year waiting period before PMI accepts a new application. After the waiting period, a candidate submits a fresh application and pays the full exam fee — $435 for members or $495 for non-members. The total cost of 3 failed attempts plus reapplication reaches $1,170 for members and $1,245 for non-members, before additional training costs. This cost structure makes first-attempt preparation investment — specifically live instructor-led training and practice test readiness confirmation — the single highest financial return decision in the entire PMI-ACP process.
Can Free Online Courses Satisfy the 21 PMI-ACP Contact Hours?
Free online agile courses satisfy the 21 contact hours only if the provider issues a verifiable certificate documenting the course title, provider name, agile content scope, and total hours — and only if PMI accepts the provider’s documentation format during application review. PMI audits a percentage of applications and requests provider documentation. Free YouTube tutorials, informal webinars without attendance tracking, and self-directed book reading do not satisfy PMI’s contact hour standard regardless of hours invested. Courses completed through a PMI Authorized Training Partner carry the strongest audit-proof documentation standing because the provider’s PMI designation is verifiable on PMI’s public ATP registry.PMP Exam Update 2026: Who’s Affected and How to Successfully Pass the New Exam
