Application to test day, in order
Step 1
Set up a pmi.org account
The application lives there. If you want the member rate, join first and wait for the confirmation before paying (CAPM ECO, checked October 30, 2026).
Step 2
Record your education
Enter the 23 hours in the project management education section. The coursework must be complete by your exam date; what qualifies is on the CAPM requirements page.
Step 3
Submit, and answer an audit if picked
PMI processes registrations in 24 hours or less unless the application is selected for audit (CAPM ECO, checked October 30, 2026). If it is, send the documents within 90 days; review takes about 5 to 7 business days, and failing the audit means a one-year suspension (PMI Certification Handbook, checked October 30, 2026).
Step 4
Pay the fee
$225 for members, $300 otherwise (PMI store, U.S. pricing, checked October 30, 2026). Retake prices are on the exam cost page.
Step 5
Book with Pearson VUE
Choose a test center, which PMI recommends, or an online proctored session. Online candidates see comic-strip items but no animations (CAPM ECO, checked October 30, 2026). Setup is covered on the online exam page.
Step 6
Sit it inside the eligibility year
Up to three attempts in one year (CAPM ECO, checked October 30, 2026). What happens after a missed attempt is on the retake policy page.
Changing or canceling the appointment
| When | What applies |
|---|---|
| More than 30 days before | Reschedule or cancel without a fee |
| Within 30 days | $70 plus tax per change |
| Within 48 hours | No rescheduling or canceling |
| Refund of the exam fee | Request within 30 days of purchase, if the exam has not been scheduled or taken |
Exam languages and test-center rules
PMI’s handbook lists the exam languages as English, Arabic, Brazilian Portuguese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Spanish, Chinese (Simplified) and Chinese (Traditional) (PMI Certification Handbook, checked October 30, 2026).
Online proctoring is not available to citizens of mainland China, Macau or Hong Kong, and the exam in mainland China is paper-based (PMI Certification Handbook, checked October 30, 2026).
Booking early costs nothing and moving early costs nothing either; the fee only applies to late changes. The exam itself, 150 questions in 3 hours with one 10-minute break, is described in how the exam is laid out.
Sources
- PMI CAPM Examination Content Outline, 2023 update www.pmi.org — processing, member rate, eligibility period, item types online
- PMI Certification Handbook www.pmi.org — audit, rescheduling, refunds, languages, China delivery
- PMI: CAPM certification page www.pmi.org — fee after acceptance, delivery options
- PMI store: CAPM exam www.pmi.org — fee, U.S. pricing
- Pearson VUE: PMI exams www.pearsonvue.com — booking portal