The real cost of Certified Associate in Project Management: exam, training, and renewal
The exam is the down payment; training and renewal are the rest of the cost. Below is what each piece actually costs, every figure sourced and dated. The exam, the training, and the renewal are separate — a course is not the certification.
What it costs
| Cost | Amount | As of | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Training (optional; across 3 providers) | $695–$2,785 | 2026-06-14 | provider |
| Renewal / maintenance | $60 per 3-year cycle (member (non-member $150)) | 2026-06-14 | official |
Keeping it current
This credential is valid for 3 years. Renewal model: Per-cycle renewal fee + earn PDUs. You must earn 15 continuing-education credits per PDUs per 3-year cycle. Continuing-education credits are something you earn (often through activities you'd do anyway); the renewal/maintenance fee above is the amount paid to the certifying body.
A transparent 3-year estimate
With a paid course ≈ $755 — add the lowest published training ($695–$2,785) to the exam and renewal.
These are illustrations from cited components, not quotes; they exclude retakes, study materials, and your time, and use the lowest published (commercial, non-discounted) training price. Your cost will differ.
Many certification vendors publish free self-paced training (for example AWS Skill Builder and Microsoft Learn), so the training line can be $0 if you self-study — see the training-options pages and the training providers hub.
Sources
- Training: https://www.onlc.com/outline.asp?ccode=gpmcep
- Renewal/maintenance: https://www.pmi.org/-/media/pmi/documents/public/pdf/certifications/maintaining-capm-faqs.pdf
Citation Ledger
| ID | Supports | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| CIT-01 | Training $695–$2,785 across 3 providers | Provider-published | link |
| CIT-02 | Renewal/maintenance $60 (as of 2026-06-14); CPE requirement 15 PDUs per 3-year cycle | Certifying-body page | link |