PMP® Training Requirements Are Changing in December 2026: What You Need to Know

2 hours ago

4 min read

Planning to get your PMP® certification in 2027? There's an important change coming to the way you qualify for the exam.

From 1 December 2026, the Project Management Institute (PMI) is introducing new requirements for live, instructor-led PMP® training.

If you're considering taking a PMP preparation course, it's worth understanding these changes before choosing your training provider.

And if you've already completed your 35 hours of project management education, don't worry! There's some good news for you, too.

What's Changing on 1 December 2026?

To apply for the Project Management Professional (PMP)® certification, candidates generally need to demonstrate two things:

Relevant experience leading and managing projects.
35 hours of formal project management education, often referred to as contact hours.

An active CAPM® certification can also satisfy the education requirement.

Until now, candidates have been able to complete their 35 hours through a wide range of qualifying training providers.

However, from 1 December 2026, PMI is changing the requirements for live, instructor-led training.

If you attend a live PMP preparation course, whether online or in person, it must be delivered by one of the following to count towards your 35 hours:

A PMI Authorized Training Partner (ATP).
An eligible accredited academic programme, including PMI GAC-accredited programmes.
A China Registered Education Provider (REP), where applicable.

This means that not every organisation advertising live PMP exam preparation will necessarily be able to provide qualifying training hours.

My advice? Before booking a live PMP course, check that your training provider meets PMI's requirements.

What Is a PMI Authorized Training Partner?

A PMI Authorized Training Partner (ATP) is a training organisation authorised by PMI to deliver official PMI-developed certification preparation courses.

ATP courses use PMI's official learning materials and are delivered by instructors who meet PMI's requirements.

For students, this offers reassurance that their training follows an approved framework and provides the required education hours.

However, the quality of your learning experience also depends on your instructor.

A great PMP course should do more than take you through presentation slides.

It should help you understand project management concepts, apply them to real-world situations and develop the confidence to tackle scenario-based exam questions.

After all, passing the PMP exam requires more than memorising terminology!

What If You've Already Completed Your 35 Hours?

Here's the good news!

If you've already completed qualifying PMP training before 1 December 2026, your education hours can still count towards your application, even if your course wasn't delivered by a PMI Authorized Training Partner.

You do not automatically need to repeat your training.

In fact, PMI confirms that qualifying project management education hours do not expire.

However, you should keep your course completion certificate and ensure your training meets PMI's eligibility requirements.

A Friendly Tip: Don't Keep Putting Off Your PMP Application!

I've worked with many PMP students who complete their training, fully intend to take the exam and then find that life gets in the way.

Sound familiar?

Here's something worth knowing:

Once PMI approves your PMP application, you have one year to take the exam.

And you don't need to pay the exam fee when you first submit your application.

Payment comes after approval, before you schedule your exam.

So, if you've already completed your education hours and have the required project experience, why not get your application submitted?

You can continue preparing for the exam afterwards.

It's one more important step towards earning those three letters after your name!

Can You Still Take a Self-Paced PMP Course?

Yes!

The December changes specifically affect live, instructor-led training.

Self-paced, on-demand courses can still qualify when delivered by organisations that are not PMI Authorized Training Partners, provided the courses meet PMI's requirements.

So, if you prefer to study independently, that remains an option.

However, there are some advantages to learning with an experienced instructor.

Why Choose Live Online PMP Training?

Everyone learns differently.

Some people are perfectly happy studying independently, working through videos and reading course materials at their own pace.

Others benefit enormously from being able to ask questions, discuss scenarios and learn alongside other project professionals.

Personally, I believe project management is best understood through practical examples, discussion and application.

That's why my PMP courses focus on:

Interactive learning: Understanding concepts through discussion, questions and real-world scenarios.

Practical experience: Connecting PMI's principles and frameworks to situations that project professionals actually encounter.

Exam preparation: Developing the ability to analyse scenario-based questions and identify the most appropriate response.

A supportive learning environment: Encouraging questions, participation and a little humour along the way.

Because let's face it, 35 hours of project management training shouldn't feel like 35 hours of watching someone read PowerPoint slides!

Why I've Become a PMI Authorized Training Partner

I've spent more than 15 years delivering professional training, helping people develop their skills, confidence and careers.

As a PMP®, PMI-ACP®, CAPM®, PRINCE2® and PSM I certified professional, I understand both the challenges of preparing for professional certification exams and the importance of making training practical and engaging.

Becoming a PMI Authorized Training Partner allows me to deliver official PMI course materials while continuing to use the interactive, practical teaching approach that has shaped my career.

My aim isn't simply to help students complete 35 hours of education.

It's to help them understand project management, feel confident about their exam preparation and apply what they've learned long after the course has finished.

Planning to Take Your PMP Exam in 2027?

If you're considering PMP certification, now is an excellent time to start planning your training and exam preparation.

I offer live online PMP exam preparation courses, suitable for project professionals across Europe and international time zones.

My courses include:

35 contact hours of instructor-led training.
Official PMI course materials.
Interactive discussions, exercises and exam-style questions.
Practical examples drawn from real project environments.
Guidance on preparing for the PMP certification exam.

Whether you're taking the next step in your project management career or working towards a long-standing professional goal, I'd love to help you get there.