The trick is that you can only count hours spent on project management training. So, if you take a general management course that covers organizational management, operations, and projects, then you need to count up how many hours were spent on just the project management part. If that adds up to 35 hours, you're set!

The Project Management Institute (PMI) requires 35 hours of formal project management education, or “contact hours,” before you sit for the Project Management Professional (PMP) exam. Every hour you sit in a class, training program, seminar, or another similar learning activity gives you one contact hour.

1. Training or Course from a Third Party

Instructor-led formal education courses or classes held in-person or online.

2. Global Educational Sessions

Local activities and events related to the profession. Include educational sessions, keynotes, and featured speakers.

3. Local Meetings

Events and activities that are local to the profession. These events are often held at PMI chapters and offer a great way to network.

4. Online Media or Digital Media

Online learning that is self-paced using various digital media.

35 Contact Hours

For the PMP certification exam, contact hours must be completed. PMI has established that to be eligible for the PMP certification exam, candidates must have completed 35 hours of training.

60 PDUs

Professional Development Units (60 PUDs)are time blocks that PMP-certified professionals must acquire through education, training, volunteering, and/or teaching in order to renew their certification. You will be able maintain your PMP certification by accumulating 60 PDUs in the span of three years.