PMI CAPM / EXAM REFERENCE Keep your credential current.
Know your renewal options.

Current exam and certification facts

CAPM has 150 questions and 180 minutes. PMI requires secondary education and 23 hours of project management education; no project work experience is required. PMI does not publish a fixed raw passing percentage. CAPM requires 15 PDUs in a three-year cycle: at least 9 Education PDUs, with at least 2 in each PMI Talent Triangle area; up to 6 may be Giving Back. Check your PMI account for current regional renewal fees.

Study schedules below are planning examples. Confirm current fees, exam delivery, and eligibility with the provider before booking.

Official capm reference · Official capmRenew reference

Plan your preparation

Planning your certification timeline? Knowing when PMI CAPM expires—and how to renew—helps you maintain your CAPM status without interruption.

With a 3 years validity period, proactive planning ensures your CAPM credential remains active. Whether you're newly certified or approaching renewal, understanding your options helps you stay prepared.

Yes, PMI CAPM certification expires every 3 years. To maintain your certification, you must earn and report 15 PDUs and complete PMI renewal. The renewal process ensures that certified professionals stay current with evolving technologies and best practices. Starting your renewal planning at least 6 months before expiration gives you adequate time to complete requirements without stress.

Validity

3 years

PDUs Required

15

Renewal Cost

$60-$150

Renewal Method

PDUs + renewal fee

PMI CAPM Certification Validity Period

Your PMI CAPM certification is valid for 3 years from the date you pass your exam. If renewal requirements are not met by the cycle end, your certification enters a one-year suspension period.

Key Dates to Track:

• Certification Date: The date you passed your exam (shown on your certificate)
• Expiration Date: Exactly 3 years after certification
• Renewal Window: Renew after PMI confirms you have met the cycle requirements

What "Expired" Means: When your certification expires, you can no longer claim active certification status. You cannot use the credential on your resume as current, and verification services will show your certification as inactive. However, expiration doesn't erase your achievement—you can still mention that you "previously held" the certification.

Suspension and Renewal Deadlines

PMI allows one year of suspended status to complete outstanding renewal requirements. You cannot claim active CAPM status during suspension. If you do not renew by its end, you must apply and take the exam again. Complete renewal before the cycle ends to avoid suspension.

How to Renew Your Certification

PMI offers multiple pathways to renew your PMI CAPM certification:

Primary Renewal Method: Professional Development Units (PDUs)

CAPM requires 15 PDUs per three-year cycle. Plan roughly five hours of eligible learning a year, and check the Education and Giving Back category limits.

Renewal Cost: $60-$150 renewal fee

Alternative Renewal Options: Courses, webinars, reading, giving presentations, or volunteer work

Most professionals combine multiple activities to meet their renewal requirements. For example, completing online courses, attending conferences, and reading industry publications can all contribute toward your required credits.

Complete Cost of Renewal

The total cost of renewing PMI CAPM includes both direct fees and the value of time invested in continuing education:

Direct Costs:

• Renewal/maintenance fee: $60-$150 renewal fee
• Optional training courses: $100-$500+ depending on choices

CAPM requires 15 PDUs per three-year cycle. Plan roughly five hours of eligible learning a year, and check the Education and Giving Back category limits.

Cost-Effective Strategies: 1. Many activities you already do count toward credits (reading, attending meetings, on-the-job training) 2. Free webinars and online resources often qualify for credits 3. Contributing to the community (blogging, mentoring, speaking) earns credits while building your reputation

Ways to Earn CEUs/Continuing Education

PMI accepts a variety of activities for continuing education credits:

Training and Education:

• Complete online courses or in-person training
• Attend conferences, seminars, or workshops
• Participate in webinars (live or recorded)
• Earn higher-level or related certifications

Professional Activities:

• Publish articles, blog posts, or white papers
• Present at conferences or user groups
• Teach courses or training sessions
• Mentor other professionals

Self-Study:

• Read industry books, magazines, or publications
• Complete vendor-provided learning paths
• Participate in study groups

Work Experience:

• Some on-the-job learning activities qualify
• Projects that expand your skills may count
• Leadership and management responsibilities

Track all activities throughout the year rather than scrambling before expiration. Most vendors provide online portals where you log activities and track progress toward requirements.

What Happens If Your Certification Expires

If your PMI CAPM certification expires, here's what to expect:

Immediate Impacts:

• Your certification status shows as "expired" or "inactive"
• You cannot claim current certification on applications or resumes
• Employers who verify credentials will see the expired status

Reinstatement Options: Depending on how long your certification has been expired, you may have options:

• PMI places an unmet credential into a one-year suspension period; you cannot claim active status during suspension. Complete outstanding requirements within that period. If suspension ends without renewal, the credential expires and a new application, fees, and exam are required. Review the current CCR handbook and your account deadlines.
• PMI places an unmet credential into a one-year suspension period; you cannot claim active status during suspension. Complete outstanding requirements within that period. If suspension ends without renewal, the credential expires and a new application, fees, and exam are required. Review the current CCR handbook and your account deadlines.
• PMI places an unmet credential into a one-year suspension period; you cannot claim active status during suspension. Complete outstanding requirements within that period. If suspension ends without renewal, the credential expires and a new application, fees, and exam are required. Review the current CCR handbook and your account deadlines.

Prevention Strategy: Set calendar reminders at 12, 6, and 3 months before expiration. Start accumulating credits early in your certification cycle rather than waiting until the end. Many professionals complete their requirements within the first 2 years, giving a full year of buffer.

Further study tips

Know the PMI Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct.

PMP questions often present complex scenarios requiring multi-step reasoning.

Agile principles are increasingly important in PMI certifications.

Set calendar reminders at 12, 6, and 3 months before expiration to track your CAPM renewal progress.

Log CEU activities immediately after completing them—don't rely on memory at renewal time.

When pursuing another PMI credential, check your CAPM renewal requirements separately.

Mistakes to check

Waiting until the last month before expiration to start accumulating CEUs.

Not tracking activities throughout the certification cycle and forgetting eligible credits.

Assuming all training automatically qualifies for CEUs without checking vendor requirements.

Letting the certification expire and then needing to retake the exam.

Assuming that another certification automatically renews CAPM without checking its CCR requirements.

Failing to budget for renewal costs and being surprised by fees.

Prepare for Your PMI CAPM Journey

Whether you're pursuing initial certification or preparing for renewal, practice questions help you stay sharp.

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