I often receive emails from my blog visitors asking about the validity of their 35 contact hours, such as:
“I earned my 35 contact hours a few years back. Are they still valid?”
or
“I got my project management training based on the 5th edition of the PMBOK Guide. Now, the PMP exam is based on the 7th edition. Can I apply for the exam now based on my old contact hours, or are they expired?”
Many visitors ask me that they have completed the training many years back. Now, they wonder when their contact hours will expire so they can plan their PMP exam accordingly.
So, if you have the same doubts, do not worry.
Your 35 contact hours are never going to expire. They have lifelong validity. You can use it to apply for the PMP certification exam anytime.
However, you must earn these contact hours before submitting your PMP application form to the PMI.
I have consulted the PMP handbook several times and have not come across anything that says the contact hours will expire after a particular period.
Summary
Your project management training will never expire regardless of the version of the PMBOK Guide you used or how many years have passed. You must attend the PMP training program once before applying for the exam. You can apply for the PMP exam at any time in the future.
When did you attend your PMP training program? Please share your experience in the comments section.
If you have not attended any training programs, I recommend you join my 35 contact hours training program, which was approved by PMI and provides a unique learning experience.
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 am confused about following statement from PMI website FAQ:
Can you please help advise what is it mean by “your application is valid for one(1) year from date of approval?
“What happens if my eligibility expires and I have not taken the exam?
Answer from PMI
Your application is valid for one (1) year from the date of approval. If you allow your eligibility to lapse, you must re-apply.”
Hello,
I have completed PMP (5th edition) 35 hours of contact training in December 2017. Is this still valid as per the 2021 PMBOK edition? Please guide. Thanks.
Ajay Vikram
Bangalore, India
I finished my PMP (5th edition) 35 hours contact training in December 2013. Is this still valid?
Thanks,
Murli.
Yes, they are still valid.
Hi,
I have done in past six sigma green belt training and training was through class room face to face program….will this be considered in 35 PDU’s…..please advise.
You can count hours spend on the PMI exam content outlines. But I am sure that it will not be 35 hours.
I have added these 35 Contact hours from my Bachelor education as we had a separate subject about Project Management which covered more than 35 hours. Are they valid for PMP exam or I have to do a PMP certified course ? Thank you.
If they align with the PMBOK Guide, they are valid.
I had 35 hours contact hours for PMP in 2009, I cleared PMP exam in second attempt but never renewed or submitted PDU for renewal. After 3 years, my PMP certification expired.
Now I am planning to do PMP again, do I need to go for 35 contact hours again? or I can go directly for PMP examination?
There is no need to go for the training again. Your 35 contact hours will never expire.
Is it possible to use the 35 PDU toward getting my CAPM and PMP certification? Or would I need to take one series of hours for the CAPM, then another for the PMP?
Thanks,
It is contact hours, not PDU. If you get 35 contact hours for the PMP, you can use it for both exams.
I obtained my 35 hours PMBOK-based training in the year 2005. Is it still valid for me to use in 2018?
Yes, they are valid.
If I earned 35 hours for my CAPM and sat my CAPM exam, now that I’m working toward my PMP do I need to earn new hours?
i have done my 35 contact hrs in Jan 2014 its still valid till 2017 end .
They will never expire. They are still valid.
I did 35 hours CAPM training with a REP 2 yrs ago, I am planning on taking the CAPM late June date, Have my hours expired? Or can I count them as acquired Contact Education/Training still?
They are still valid.
i earned it 1 1/2 year back and appeared for exam but failed.Can I re use the same 35 hours certificate for re appearing for PMP
Yes.
Hi, since I do not possess sufficient project hours, however, I will soon have my contact hours for 35 hours completed. Do I need to engage again for the contact hours if I am going to take the exam a year later? Thanks for help!
Your 35 contact hours will be valid for ever. No need to take it again.
I earned my 35 contact hours in 2011 with PMBOK 4th edition, now can I use it as there is PMBOK 5th edition?
Yes, your 35 contact hours will never expire. You can use them.