PMP Training Rule Change 2026: Live Training Must Come From a PMI Authorized Training Partner
Last updated: October 16, 2026
PMI changes where PMP applicants earn their 35 required training hours on December 1, 2026. Live instructor-led training counts only when a PMI Authorized Training Partner (ATP) or an eligible accredited academic program delivers it. I train PMP candidates at PMTI, an ATP since 2003, and this is the most consequential eligibility change since the 2026 exam update.
What is the PMP training rule change starting December 1, 2026
Beginning December 1, 2026, PMI accepts live PMP training hours only from PMI Authorized Training Partners and eligible accredited academic programs, such as GAC-accredited programs. Self-paced training keeps its current rules. The 35-hour requirement stays unchanged.
PMI published the rule on its own site in September 2026. Three facts define it:
- Effective date: December 1, 2026.
- Scope: live instructor-led training, in a classroom or online.
- Requirement: 35 training hours, where 1 classroom hour equals 1 training hour.
Training hours never expire. A candidate who completes a qualifying course keeps those hours for every future application.
Which training still counts toward the 35-hour PMP requirement?
Three pathways qualify after December 1, 2026: live training from a PMI ATP, live training from an eligible accredited academic program, and self-paced training that meets PMI’s criteria. Live courses from non-authorized providers stop counting.
Each pathway carries specific conditions:
| Pathway | Format | What qualifies |
| PMI Authorized Training Partner | Live instructor-led | Course delivered by an ATP |
| Accredited academic program | Live instructor-led | Eligible programs, including GAC-accredited degrees |
| Self-paced course | On-demand | PMI’s PMP Exam Prep Course, or a course aligned to the current exam content outline that states its hours, includes an end-of-course assessment, and issues a completion record |
The “Which provider delivered it?” question decides eligibility for live classes. A boot camp from a non-authorized provider fails that test.
Does training completed before December 1, 2026 still count?
Yes. PMI states that courses completed before December 1, 2026 remain eligible under the requirements in place at the time, even when the candidate applies after the rule takes effect.
Pre-December training that stays valid includes 4 types:
- College or university courses
- Employer-sponsored training
- Older PMP on-demand prep courses
- Qualifying self-paced courses
PMI does not publish an application-date cutoff. Candidates who finish a course in November 2026 hold eligible hours permanently.
Why does the PMI student kit matter for PMP learners?
The student kit contains PMI-approved content and a required knowledge check. Learners must complete the knowledge check to generate their certificate of completion in the LMS. The finished kit also proves ATP training if PMI audits the application.
PMI reminded every ATP of this requirement in its latest partner notice. The kit does 3 jobs:
- Reinforces key exam concepts with PMI-approved content.
- Generates the certificate of completion once the knowledge check is done.
- Verifies ATP training when PMI selects an application for audit.
A certificate without a completed kit leaves a documentation gap. After December 1, that gap sits on the single document that proves live training eligibility.
What documentation protects a PMP application from an audit?
PMI audits any application at random and requires proof of the 35 training hours on request. A completion certificate, a transcript, a syllabus or course description, and records of the hours form the standard evidence set.
The application form asks for 4 details per course: provider, title, hours, and format. PMI does not require uploads at submission. Proof is needed only when an audit notice arrives.
Build the file on the day the course ends:
- Save the certificate of completion as a PDF.
- Store the course description and schedule.
- Record the dates and hours for each course.
- Keep one folder per course when combining several.
Candidates who need a refresher on logging hours will find the breakdown in how to earn and record 35 PMP contact hours.
Why does an Authorized Training Partner like PMTI fit the new rule?
PMTI qualifies under the new rule because it is a PMI Authorized Training Partner. Every PMTI live class delivers 35 contact hours, and students earn a course completion certificate from a PMI Authorized Training Provider after completing them.
PMTI has held PMI authorized status since 2003. The institute has trained 80,000+ professionals from its Dallas, Texas base. The attributes that matter for the December 1 change:
- Status: PMI Authorized Training Partner.
- Live formats: in-person and live online, both 35 contact hours.
- Materials: the PMI Authorized PMP Exam Prep Guide, access to the PMI Choice student portal, and a 180-question diagnostic test.
- Documentation: a course completion certificate after the 35 hours.
A PMTI learner finishes with the training, the materials, and the paperwork in one place. No second provider and no hours to reconstruct.
What are the 5 steps to take before December 1, 2026?
Five steps protect eligibility: confirm the provider’s ATP status, choose a live class date, collect the student kit, complete the knowledge check, and file the certificate. The ATP status check comes first because it decides whether the hours count.
- Verify the provider appears in PMI’s Authorized Training Partner directory.
- Book a live class date that ends before your target application date.
- Confirm that the kit is assigned to you when you register.
- Complete the kit and the knowledge check during or right after class.
- Archive the certificate of completion in a folder you control.
The exam clock starts only after PMI approves the application. Approved candidates hold 1 year to take the exam, so the training plan sets the whole timeline. The PMP certification exam change guide covers the exam side of that timeline: the July 2026 launch, the 240-minute format, and the new domain weights.
Pick a live class with an Authorized Training Partner before the rule takes effect. PMTI runs 35-hour classes in person and live online: PMP Certification Training.
