CAPM Training
Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) Certification Requirements & Eligibility Criteria in 2026
Discover the detailed requirements and eligibility criteria for CAPM certification.
- Clear CAPM Requirements Explained:
Learn the full PMI-defined CAPM eligibility criteria, including education requirements and the mandatory 23 contact hours of project management training. - Simple CAPM Eligibility Checklist:
Understand exactly what you need to qualify for the CAPM exam—no project experience required, making it ideal for students and early-career professionals. - Step-by-Step Guidance to Meet CAPM Requirements:
PMTI provides the training, documentation support, and guidance you need to satisfy all CAPM requirements and submit a successful exam application.
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What is Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)
The CAPM is a popular entry-level project management certification from PMI (Project Management Institute). It covers all the same principles as its counterpart (PMP), but it’s designed for people who need more experience leading projects. CAPM certification is ideal for demonstrating knowledge of project management methodologies and best practices.
Need More Information?
Still confused if you qualify for the CAPM exam? Get a call back and we’ll answer all your questions!
Is a CAPM Certification right for you?
Because those planning to earn a CAPM certification are not required to have project management or a four-year degree, it is ideal for high school and community college graduates as well as current college students who want to obtain a credential that demonstrates a commitment to a career in project management before graduation.
CAPM is ideal for:
- Those are just starting their career in project management.
- Existing project managers who don't meet PMP requirements,
- Team members with less project management experience.
- Those who desire a PMP certification in the future.
CAPM Certification Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for CAPM Certification you must have the following:
- High school diploma, GED, associate degree, bachelor's degree, or higher
- 23 hours of project management education with a PMI Authorized Training Provider.
To simplify the entire process of the CAPM application, as an option, you can use the PMTI CAPM Application Exam Prep Tool after you register for one of PMTI’s CAPM Exam Prep classes to help facilitate your application documentation.
Tip: All the information in your application must be accurate. That means no falsifying any documentation. If PMI finds out that an applicant has submitted false data or misleading claims during an audit (which happens randomly). In that case, this person will never have another opportunity to receive any PMI certification.
CAPM Online Course Schedule
| 3 Day Boot Camp 11/16/2026 - 11/18/2026 8:30AM - 5:30PM Virtual Instructor Led Live CAPM Training Location: Online | 22% OFF $1,395.00 $1,795.00 Split payments available | Hurry, only 5 seats left! Enroll Now |
| 3 Day Boot Camp 01/11/2027 - 01/14/2027 8:30AM - 5:30PM Virtual Instructor Led Live CAPM Training Location: Online | 22% OFF $1,395.00 $1,795.00 Split payments available | Hurry, only 10 seats left! Enroll Now |
CAPM Application Process
The world’s best CAPM certification training course is here! We’ve refined our training model based on over 19 years of experience preparing more than 80,000 professionals to pass the PMP & CAPM certification exams.
- Contact Address
- Home Address
- Work Address
- Contact Information
- Email Address
- Phone Number
- Attained Education
- School or University
- Highest Level of Education Attained
- Year Degree Awarded
- Requirements
- Project Management Education - 23hrs
- Certificate
- Full Name for Certificate
CAPM Test Fee
| Cost Category | PMI® Member | Non-Member |
|---|---|---|
| PMI® Membership Fee | $164 + tax | N/A |
| CAPM Exam Fee | $225 | $300 |
| CAPM Re-Examination Fee | $150 | $200 |
Application Approval & Eligibility Period
PMI usually approves CAPM applications instantly, but occasionally it can take 3-5 days as all applications are subject to an audit. Once your application is approved, you will receive an invitation to pay the exam fee and schedule your exam. Once PMI approves your application, you have one (1) year to pass the exam before you must reapply. During that period, you may take the exam up to 3 times.
Exams are proctored at Pearson VUE testing centers. To find a center closest to you, please click here: http://www.pearsonvue.com/pmi. Applicants may opt to take the test at home through a proctored online environment; however, some candidates have reported glitches or other difficulties that prevented them from completing the exam. We recommend finding a testing center to prevent any potential roadblocks during your exam.
Why are Some CAPM Applications Audited?
PMI conducts random audits of the CAPM exam applications. This is done to maintain the integrity of the certification and the credibility of those who hold it. Although PMI does not publish what percentage gets audited, our 22+ years of experience show that about one in four or five of the applications get audited.
Audit Notification?
If you are randomly selected for an audit, you will be informed immediately upon submitting your application to applying PMI. The notification is usually sent to your email.
If you receive an email with an approval code or an approval code appears in your PMI application portal, you have not been audited and can schedule your CAPM exam at your convenience. If you are a PMTI student, you can use our CAPM diagnostic test that you receive when you sign-up to determine your initial readiness for the exam.
If PMI Audits Your Application — Here's What You Do
The auditing process may seem intimidating initially, but it does not have to stress you out if you follow the steps outlined by PMI. In addition, our prep tool assistance provides tips that will help to simplify the audit process.
Once PMI informs you of your audit, you can access their audit package. The entire audit process is digitized and must be completed within 90 days. All your documents can now be uploaded to the PMI audit dashboard. Uploaded files must be in PDF format. PMI will require you to provide proof of the following:
1. Academic Education: this could be a copy of completed education credentials (usually your diploma) that matches the education stated in your application. PMI also accepts transcripts if you do not have a copy of your graduation certificate, or if it is not available digitally. Most schools and universities are happy to provide alternative means of verification upon request should neither transcripts nor a diploma be accessible; contact your institution’s registrar or student services office for more assistance.
2. Project Management Education: this refers to the 23 contact hours of training you have included in your CAPM exam application. PMTI provides a certificate to all candidates that successfully complete a training course. This certificate will satisfy the PMI audit requirements.
If you completed your training hours elsewhere and did not receive a certificate, a letter from the program manager or training group containing details about their training will be required to satisfy the audit process. When requesting this document, please ensure that it clearly states the number of hours you spent in training. All training hours must contain content relevant to project management’s five (5) process groups.
Tip: if you have used PMTI’s CAPM exam prep training for the 23-contact hours required by PMI, simply reach out to us if you are audited. We are happy to send additional copies of your certificate for PMI to verify.
How Long is the Audit Approval Process?
PMI must receive all reference verifications before they can approve an audit. On their website, PMI states that it can take anywhere from 5-7 days from the time they receive your documentation to approve your application. Often though, we see applicants that are prompt in providing all necessary audit paperwork get approved in just a few days.
CAPM Examination Process
You’ve worked hard to reach this point and are almost there! The final step in earning your Certified Associate in Project Management is taking the certification exam. PMTI is unable to schedule or approve exams for candidates. Fortunately, the process of scheduling and taking the test is straightforward.
Once you have been approved to take the exam, you can schedule it on Pearson VUE’s website; many people that call have given me feedback that they have difficulty in finding the right page for Pearson Testing Locations. Let’s help them out!) Testing can be done as a computer-based test (CBT) at home or in-person at a Pearson VUE testing center. Available spots may fill up quickly since Pearson VUE proctors many professional exams every day; plan ahead if you want to take your exam at a certain location or time.
When scheduling your exam, make sure to provide the testing approval code from PMI. This can be found in your application acceptance email or application portal. If you are having difficulty finding your testing code, please contact PMI directly.
To register for your CAPM exam, you will need to provide your name, contact information, and choose the location and time that you prefer based on each center’s availability. You will also need to pay Pearson VUE’s exam fees. Whether you choose to take your test in a testing center or at home, it will be monitored and proctored by Pearson VUE personnel and is subject to all integrity controls.
CAPM Language Aids
The exam is only administered in English. However, fourteen languages (listed below) are supported via (free) language aids.
Arabic
Brazilian Portuguese
Chinese (Simplified)
Chinese (Traditional)
French
German
Hebrew
Italian
Japanese
Korean
Polish
Russian
Spanish
Turkish
CAPM Exam Format
The exam is 150 questions with a 3-hour time limit. One hundred thirty-five (135) questions are scored, while fifteen questions are pretest questions. Pretest questions are questions that PMI uses to evaluate and test the validity of future exam questions. The table below breaks down the question pool.
Question Breakdown by PMBOK® Guide Chapter
| Domain | Percentage of Items on Test |
|---|---|
| Project Management Fundamentals and Core Concepts | 36% |
| Predictive, Plan-Based Methodologies | 17% |
| Agile Frameworks/Methodologies | 20% |
| Business Analysis Frameworks | 27% |
| Total | 100% |
One of the advantages of the computer-based exam is that you receive your score immediately! If your score is passing, you may immediately begin to leverage your CAPM credential on your resume, social media, and job applications. Your CAPM certification is good for up to three (3) years. In order to renew it, you must earn fifteen (15) PDUs under certain categories. If your certification expires, you must retake the CAPM exam to renew your certification.
If you do not pass the exam, you may retake it up to 3 times within your 1-year eligibility period. If you do not succeed in those 3 attempts, you must wait a year before you can reapply. Candidates that attend PMTI’s CAPM Boot Camp receive a personalized study plan and exam planning assistance if they do not pass on the first try.
How can I Renew my CAPM Certification
Your initial CAPM certification is valid for three (3) years. Collecting and reporting professional development units (PDUs) under PMI’s Continuing Certification Requirements (CCR) program allows you to renew the CAPM certification for three more years.
The minimum PDU requirement for CAPM recertification is 15 PDUs. You can claim a maximum of 6 PDUs under the giving back category and 9 PDUs towards continued education.
The following is a further breakdown of the minimum continuing education hours for each category:
Ways of Working – 2 PDUs
Power Skills – 2 PDUs
Business Acumen – 2 PDUs
Why Choose PMTI CAPM Certification Training
PMTI’s CAPM Training offers a comprehensive, flexible, and proven approach to preparing for the CAPM exam. Led by expert instructors, our PMI-authorized course combines personalized learning, up-to-date materials, and a 100% money-back guarantee to ensure your success.
Key benefits include:
- Expert-led training by instructors with 100+ years of combined project management experience.
- Access to comprehensive study materials including the CAPM Blue, Brown, and Orange Books and hundreds of mock exam practice questions.
- 100% true money-back guarantee for exam success.
- Personalized learning with assessments to identify strengths and areas for improvement.
- Flexible 3-day live online format for busy professionals.
- Updated curriculum aligned with the latest CAPM Exam Content Outline (ECO) and PMI standards.
- Trusted PMI Authorized Training Provider with nearly two decades of proven success.
Prepare for your CAPM certification with confidence through PMTI’s proven training approach.
How PMTI Money Back Guarantee Works?
PMTI’s Online PMP certification classes come with a solid money-back guarantee. Here’s how our guarantee works:
- Analyze your PMI exam (PMP, CAPM, & ACP) results.
- Provide you with a custom study plan.
Provide coaching through:
- Online group tutoring.
- Phone & virtual conferencing support.
- Email communications with your instructor and our head of training.
- Analyze your PMI exam (PMP, CAPM, & ACP) results.
- Provide you with a custom study plan.
Provide coaching through:
- Online group tutoring.
- Phone & virtual conferencing support.
- Email communications with your instructor and our head of training.
- You may attend our course at no charge for one calendar year from the date of your third exam. Provide you with a custom study plan.
- You may receive a refund of your enrollment fees minus any refunds or discounts.
You must take all three exams within ninety (90) calendar days from the course completion date.
Get a free counseling session:
Still confused if you qualify for the CAPM exam? Get a call back and we’ll answer all your questions!
CAPM Requirements and Eligibility – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What are the official CAPM requirements?
The CAPM requirements include a secondary degree (high school diploma, associate degree, or global equivalent) and completion of 23 contact hours of project management education before you take the exam.
Do I need project management experience to meet CAPM eligibility?
No. The CAPM certification does not require any project management experience, making it ideal for students, early-career professionals, and those transitioning into project management.
What counts toward the 23 contact hours of project management education?
Any structured project management training that covers key topics aligned with PMI’s exam outline qualifies. PMTI’s CAPM course provides all 23 PMI-approved contact hours needed for eligibility.
Can college or university courses satisfy CAPM training requirements?
Yes—if the course includes project management topics, it may count toward the 23 contact hours required for CAPM eligibility.
Does PMI require documentation for CAPM eligibility?
You must document your educational background and your 23 contact hours during the application process. PMI may request additional verification if your application is selected for audit.
Is a bachelor’s degree required for CAPM eligibility?
No. A secondary degree is sufficient, making the CAPM accessible to high school graduates, associate degree holders, and students still completing their bachelor’s program.
Can I take CAPM training before applying for the CAPM exam?
Yes. Most candidates complete CAPM training first because it fulfills the 23-hour requirement and prepares them for the exam at the same time.
Are the CAPM eligibility requirements the same worldwide?
Yes. PMI uses the same global standard for CAPM requirements across all countries and industries.
How long does it take to meet all CAPM requirements?
Most candidates can meet CAPM requirements within a few days by completing the 23-hour CAPM training, then applying for the exam through PMI.
Do CAPM requirements change over time?
PMI periodically updates certification standards and exam content. It’s a good idea to check the latest CAPM requirements on PMI’s website before applying.
How long is the CAPM certification valid?
The CAPM certification is valid for three years from the date you pass the exam.
What are the CAPM renewal requirements?
To renew your CAPM certification, you must earn 15 Professional Development Units (PDUs) every three years and submit a renewal application to PMI.
Do I need to retake the CAPM exam to renew?
No, as long as you complete the required 15 PDUs and follow PMI’s renewal procedures before your certification cycle ends, you do not need to retake the exam. However, please note that if your certification expires because the PDU requirements were not met, you will be required to retake and pass the exam to become certified again.
What types of PDUs count toward CAPM renewal?
PDUs can be earned through project management training, webinars, professional development courses, and work experience related to project management.
Where can I take the CAPM exam?
There are two standard ways to sit for the CAPM exam – Online proctored exam from your own computer and center-based exam (CBT). Although paper-based tests (PBT) are also available, they are not recommended.
