PMI Eligibility Guide

What is the PMP?

The PMP (Project Management Professional) is a certification given by PMI, the Project Management Institute. It shows that you have the skills and real-world experience to lead projects. There are three ways to qualify, depending on your education.

The three paths to eligibility

SET A

High school diploma

Education: High school or equivalent

Experience: 60 months (5 years)

+ 35 hrs PM training

SET B

Bachelor's degree

Education: Bachelor's or higher

Experience: 36 months (3 years)

+ 35 hrs PM training

SET C

GAC-accredited degree

Education: Bachelors from GAC school

Experience: 24 months (2 years)

+ 35 hrs PM training

Experience required at a glance

Important rule

All your project experience must come from the last 8 years. Work done before that cannot be counted, no matter how good it was.

What counts as project experience?

You do not need the job title "Project Manager". PMI wants to see that you have led and managed real projects. This includes:

Planning a project from start to finish
Leading a team or working with different groups of people
Managing budgets, timelines, or project goals
Making decisions and solving problems during a project

You can combine experience from different jobs and companies, as long as it all falls within the 8-year window.

The 35-hour training requirement

All three paths require 35 hours of formal project management training. This must be a structured course, not just learning on the job. Accepted sources include:

A university course in project management
An online course (such as Coursera, Udemy, or similar)
A workshop run by a PMI chapter
A training program by a PMI authorized training partner (ATP).

Set C tip: If your degree is from a GAC-accredited university, your core PM coursework may already count toward the 35-hour requirement. Check with your university.

How to apply? 4 steps

1	Pick your path: Set A, B, or C based on your education level.
2	Collect your project history: write down project names, dates, and your role.
3	Confirm your 35 hours of training are from an approved source.
4	Apply at pmi.org: create an account and submit your application.

At GTC we can help you confidently get PMP certified.