The PMP certification is famous for project professionals, but getting this credential is not an easy process. You must spend a lot of time and money to attain the PMP title.
If you don’t plan well, you may be wasting your resources only to fail the exam, which costs around 555 USD.
So, have a proper plan for the PMP exam preparation and the process. After the preparation, an aspirant’s next big concern is the price tag. As it is a costly process, many will try to find ways to reduce expenses.
The PMI membership is the one factor that can affect your PMP exam process cost.
Many hopefuls wonder whether the benefits of a PMI membership are worth the price. The cost of a PMI membership is 139 USD, and that is only a waste of money if you are unaware of the advantages it gives you.
Therefore, aspirants avoid joining the PMI to save during the PMP exam application process.
However, they end up paying more, which is what I will discuss in this blog post. But first, I would like to give you a straight answer to your query.
No, it is not necessary to become a PMI member. You can apply for the PMP exam without having a PMI membership with no issues at all.
However, I strongly recommend getting a PMI membership before applying for the exam because it will save you money.
Let me explain how you will save money if you get a PMI membership.
The cost of the PMP exam for non-PMI members: 555 USD
The cost of the PMP exam for PMI members: 405 USD
The difference between these two = 555 – 405
= 150 USD
The cost of a PMI membership = 139 USD
Saving = 150 – 139
= 11 USD
Therefore, if you apply for the PMP exam after joining the PMI, you will pay 405 USD.
The above calculation shows that even if you add 139 USD to this cost, you will still save 11 USD.
Therefore, I advise that you sign up for a PMI membership before applying for the exam.
Another benefit of a PMI membership is free access to a digital copy of the PMBOK Guide. To prepare for the PMP exam, you must study the PMBOK Guide, which costs 59.62 USD (printed version).
So, it is an additional savings of 59.62 USD.
Therefore, the total monetary savings = 59.62 + 11
= 70.62 USD
There are many other benefits of the PMI which you will discover once you join.
If you are interested in learning more about the benefits of a PMI membership, go through my blog post about the benefits of a PMI membership.
Conclusion
Although it is not mandatory to get a PMI membership, signing up for one will only benefit you. The most tangible are the savings on the exam fee and the availability of the PMBOK Guide free of charge. It is a direct savings of 70 USD. Also, joining the PMI and your local chapter will allow you to participate in their meetings, where you can meet with many PMPs and learn from their experiences.
Therefore, I strongly recommend you join the PMI before applying for the exam.
Have you considered becoming a PMI member or already become one? Let me know in the comments section below.
I am Mohammad Fahad Usmani, B.E. PMP, PMI-RMP. I have been blogging on project management topics since 2011. To date, thousands of professionals have passed the PMP exam using my resources.
I have a career break between 2014 and 2022. I have the necessary Project Management Experience prior to 2014. Will those years qualify as I can take the PMP Exam?
Has membership fee to be paid annually?
is pmp relevant for non engineers???
I don’t have 8 consecutive years of PM since I took off a few years to take care of my kids. So I can’t join PMI but I can still sit for the PMP right?
If you are required experience in last ten years, you can apply for the PMP exam.
I’m transitioning careers and am thinking of getting PMP certified. I don’t know if I’ll qualify. Is there any way to check that without having to pay the membership fee?
Or if I become a member and then don’t qualify to take the exam, will I be able to receive a refund?
Please refer to the following blog post:
https://pmstudycircle.com/2012/01/what-is-the-pmp-eligibility-criteria/
Hello,
Thanks for the nice and to the point explanation. one question i have, i have completed few online courses and those are eligible for the PDUs claim. i am not able to see the Report PDU section in the CCRS left navigation. is this option only available for the members?
how can a non-PMI-member claim the PDUs
thanks in advance
Procedure is same. Login to PMI site, click on mypmi, then click on “Report PDUs on CCRS”.
I am unemployed and seeking a position as project manager. the better jobs require pmp certification. I decided to take the exam and completed a training course. then i went to the pmi site and was recognized as a past member (around 2004) and I believe I simply renewed my membership. In the PMP exam application my PM experience was rejected because it’s older than 8 years. I dont qualify for the exam and I’m out $164. PMI has a no refund policy (of course i dont recall seeing this policy or the 8 year rule). I’m 68 on social security and need additional income. I $164 was a bad investment and i could use the money the money for living expenses. Can you offer advice? I contacted customer service was told about the 8 year rule and no refund policy. i asked for to speak with a manager but got the brush off. Thanks
You can ask them that you dont want to renew your membership and want to join as a new member. In this way you will pay only for one year not for previous years.
If you can, I suggest you prepare now and pass the exam as it will take some time for publishers to update the content as per the new guidelines.
Membership duration is one year.
i am planning for PMP and i am thinking to get membership , having information in advance that PMBOK is going to release in new PMBOK 6 edition , so should i get membership now or after release of 6th Edition PMBOK.
also wants to know about membership duration.
The cost of a PMI membership is $129 USD + $10 Application Fee + $35 Chapter membership fee = $175.
The difference in the fee between non-members and members is $150 USD
Am I missing something?
is it mandatory to select a chapter membership?
Thanks in advance
The PMI membership cost is 139 USD.
Chapter membership is an optional choice.
I applied for the credentials and my Application is accepted. Now PMI has asked me to pay for Fee. Can I still become a member of PMI first and then Pay to get discount and PMI membership benefits.Thanks
As per my understanding now you will have to pay full amount. To get the discount, you should have become the PMI member before applying for the exam.
No. I have checked up with PMI helpdesk in India. They have informed me that if you become member before paying exam fees, you can get exam fees discount. In a nutshell, One need to be PMI member before paying exam fees and not before applying for PMI.
Thanks for correcting me Brij.
Iam about to start my application. So I can pay for membership once I reach my payment page?
As mentioned above, become a PMI member before making payment to get the discount.