An online PMP training course helps you prepare for the Project Management Professional exam, and it can meet the 35-hour training requirement when the course qualifies. Finishing a course does not make you certified. You still need the right project experience and a passing exam score.
This guide compares five online options, from self-paced exam prep to university programs, with their format, length and price. It also explains PMI’s requirements, including a December 1, 2026 change for live classes.
Use the free builder below the course list to create your own PMP preparation plan: choose your education and training format, then edit the plan and print or copy it.
5 Online PMP Certification Training Courses
Course details change often, so confirm price, schedule and eligibility with the provider before you register.
| Course | Format | Length | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. PMI on-demand | Self-paced | 35 hours | See PMI |
| 2. Penn State | Live online | 35 hours | $1,050 |
| 3. UC Irvine | University program | About 9 months | About $5,150 |
| 4. Skillbook | Live online | 35 hours | $895* |
| 5. Boston University | Graduate certificate | 8 months | $13,070 |
Prices are published figures and are not directly comparable, because the programs differ in length and content. *Not re-checked on the provider’s own site. The exam fee is separate.
Quick jump: PMIPenn StateUC IrvineSkillbookBoston University
1. PMI: Official On-Demand PMP Exam Prep
- Format: Self-paced, so you set your own schedule
- Hours: 35 training hours, which PMI says satisfies the 35-hour requirement
- Price: PMI’s exam-prep page does not list one. Check PMI’s store for current and member pricing
Best for: self-motivated learners who want flexibility and the official source.
2. Penn State: PMP Exam Preparation
- Format: Live online classes on Zoom, 10 sessions
- Hours: 35 hours
- Schedule: Thursdays, 5:30 to 9:00 PM, January 7 to March 11, 2027
- Price: $1,050, with a $50 discount for registering by December 31 and $200 off for Penn State Project Management Certificate holders
Best for: people who want a live class on a set schedule. Because the class starts after December 1, 2026, ask Penn State to confirm in writing that it qualifies under PMI’s rule for live instructor-led classes.
3. University of California, Irvine: Project Management Program
- Format: Online, cohort-based, asynchronous with a weekly live session
- Length: About nine months, eight courses of 4 to 5 weeks each
- Price: About $5,150, not including material fees
- 35 hours: UC Irvine says the program meets the 35-hour education requirement
Best for: people who want a broader project management education. UC Irvine also recommends a separate PMP exam prep course and extra study time.
4. Skillbook: Live Online PMP Exam Preparation
- Format: Live, instructor-led, with weekday or weekend sessions
- Hours: 35 hours
- Price: $895 in a PMI catalog listing when this page was researched. Confirm the current price
- Includes: Practice exams, a question bank, study materials and trainer support, according to the listing
Best for: people who want live classes with practice exams. Confirm that the provider qualifies under PMI’s December 1, 2026 rule before you register.
5. Boston University: Online Graduate Certificate in Project Management
- Format: Online, four required courses, 16 credits
- Length: 8 months
- Price: $13,070 part-time, based on 2026 to 2027 tuition and fees
- PMP prep: BU says the program offers complimentary PMP and PMI-ACP exam prep courses. Its page does not mention the 35-hour requirement
Best for: people who want a graduate-level credential. Do not assume it meets the 35-hour requirement; ask the school.
Free PMP Preparation Plan Builder
Step 1. What is your highest education?
Step 2. Which kind of training will you take?
Step 3. Tap the steps to keep in your plan. Untick any you have done.
Step 4. Click any text in the plan and type to make it yours.
Fill in your own names, dates and projects. PMI can change its rules, so confirm them at pmi.org.
My PMP Preparation Plan
[Your Full Name] | Target exam date: [month, year] | [Email]
Eligibility
Education: High school diploma. PMI asks for 60 months (5 years) of project leading experience, gained in a professional setting within the last 10 years. Overlapping project time counts once.
Education: Associate degree or trade diploma. PMI asks for 48 months (4 years) of project leading experience, gained in a professional setting within the last 10 years. Overlapping project time counts once.
Education: Bachelor’s degree or higher. PMI asks for 36 months (3 years) of project leading experience, gained in a professional setting within the last 10 years. Overlapping project time counts once.
Education: Bachelor’s or higher from a PMI GAC program. PMI asks for 24 months (2 years) of project leading experience, gained in a professional setting within the last 10 years. Overlapping project time counts once.
An active CAPM certification can replace the 35-hour training requirement.
Training
Training: I will complete a self-paced online course of at least 35 hours: [course name and provider]. PMI says self-paced courses from any organization count. I will save my completion certificate.
Training: I will take a live instructor-led class of 35 hours: [course name and provider]. From December 1, 2026, PMI counts live classes only from a PMI Authorized Training Partner or an eligible accredited program, so I will confirm the provider’s status before I pay.
Training: I will complete [program name] at [school]. Before I enroll, I will ask the school in writing whether it meets PMI’s 35-hour training requirement, and whether it qualifies under PMI’s rules for live classes.
My steps
- Confirm my eligibility on pmi.org
- Complete 35 hours of training and save the certificate
- List my projects and months of experience
- Study PMI’s exam content outline: People 33%, Process 41%, Business Environment 26%
- Take full-length timed practice exams and review every miss
- Apply and schedule the exam (180 questions, 240 minutes)
Project experience log
[Project name] | [Start to end dates] | [My role] | [Months]
[Project name] | [Start to end dates] | [My role] | [Months]
[Project name] | [Start to end dates] | [My role] | [Months]
Weekly study schedule
[Day and time]: [topic or practice test]
[Day and time]: [topic or practice test]
[Day and time]: [topic or practice test]
To save: press Ctrl+P (Windows) or Cmd+P (Mac) and choose Save as PDF. Only the plan prints. To copy part of it, select the text and press Ctrl+C or Cmd+C.
PMP Certification Requirements
PMI asks for a mix of education, project experience and training. The experience you need depends on your education.
| Your education | Project leading experience PMI asks for |
|---|---|
| High school diploma or equivalent | 60 months (5 years) |
| Associate degree or vocational trade diploma | 48 months (4 years) |
| Bachelor’s degree or higher | 36 months (3 years) |
| Bachelor’s or postgraduate degree from a PMI GAC program | 24 months (2 years) |
- Experience window: experience must be gained in a professional setting within the last 10 years, and overlapping project time counts once.
- Training: 35 hours of project management education, or an active CAPM certification.
- Exam: 180 questions in 240 minutes, with People 33%, Process 41% and Business Environment 26%.
Important Change for Live Instructor-Led Training
Starting December 1, 2026, PMI counts live instructor-led classes toward the 35 hours only when they are delivered by a PMI Authorized Training Partner, a China Registered Education Provider or an eligible accredited higher education program, including PMI GAC programs. Online on-demand courses, including self-paced courses from any organization, are covered by separate rules. Always confirm the provider’s status and ask for written proof.
How to Choose an Online PMP Training Course
- Check that it provides 35 hours and that the provider can document completion.
- Pick a format that suits you. Self-paced is flexible, live classes add structure, and university programs are broader and costlier.
- Compare the total cost. See what the fee includes, such as practice exams, and remember the exam fee is separate.
- Verify the provider. For a live class, check its status under PMI’s rule.
- Check the content. It should match PMI’s current exam content outline.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Paying before checking eligibility. Ask for written proof that the course meets PMI’s requirement.
- Assuming a course gives you the credential.
- Using an outdated study guide. The exam content outline changed in 2026.
- Ignoring the experience requirement. Start your project log early.
- Skipping timed practice exams.
- Typos on your application. Proofread twice.
PMP Training Checklist
Tick each item as you finish. You are ready to enroll when the counter reaches 10.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I earn the PMP certification entirely online?
You can take your training online, and PMI lets you take the exam at a Pearson VUE test center or securely online. You must still meet PMI’s education and project experience requirements and pass the exam.
Is a 35-hour course enough to qualify for the PMP exam?
No. The 35 hours of training or an active CAPM certification is one requirement. You also need the project leading experience that goes with your education level, as shown in the table on this page.
Does finishing a PMP course make me PMP certified?
No. A course helps you prepare and can meet the training requirement. PMI awards the credential only after you meet all requirements and pass the exam.
Do live instructor-led classes still count after December 1, 2026?
Yes, but only if they come from a PMI Authorized Training Partner, a China Registered Education Provider or an eligible accredited higher education program, including PMI GAC programs. Online on-demand courses, including self-paced courses from any organization, are covered by separate rules.
Can CAPM replace the 35 hours of training?
Yes. PMI says an active CAPM certification satisfies the training requirement.
How much project experience do I need?
It depends on your education: 60 months with a high school diploma, 48 months with an associate degree or trade diploma, 36 months with a bachelor’s degree or higher, and 24 months with a bachelor’s or postgraduate degree from a PMI GAC-accredited program. Experience must be from a professional setting within the last 10 years, and overlapping project time counts once.
How many times can I take the exam?
PMI allows up to three attempts in one year. Check pmi.org for the current retake rules and fees.
How much does the exam cost?
PMI prices the exam by membership and region, so check PMI’s registration page for the current fee. Course prices on this page do not include the exam fee.
How long does the certification last?
You must earn 60 professional development units (PDUs) in each three-year renewal cycle. One PDU is one hour of activities such as learning, teaching or volunteering.
Is PMI’s official course better than a university course?
Neither is automatically better. Compare the content, schedule, support, price and whether the provider can document that it meets PMI’s rules for the type of training you choose.
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Sources: PMI, Project Management Professional certification; PMI, PMP exam prep; Penn State, PMP Exam Prep (35 hour); UC Irvine Division of Continuing Education; Boston University, Online Project Management Graduate Certificate. Prices and schedules change; confirm with each provider. PMP is a registered mark of PMI.