By Tom, PMP-certified since 2004. Last updated: July 2026.
If you’re planning to sit the PMP exam this year, the price is about to change. PMI is raising the non-member exam fee starting August 6, 2026, a few weeks after the updated PMP exam launched on July 9, 2026. Here’s what’s actually changing, and what it means for your timeline.
The new fees
According to figures published by PMI Authorized Training Partners, the non-member PMP exam fee changes as follows, effective August 6, 2026:
| Region | Current fee | New fee (from Aug 6, 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| United States (non-member) | $595 | $675 |
| Selected other countries (non-member) | $575 | $655 |
| PMI members | No change | No change |
The fee for PMI members stays where it is. Only the non-member price goes up. PMI has not published a standalone press release with these figures at the time of writing; the numbers above come from PMI-affiliated training providers reporting on the change. If you’re booking close to the deadline, confirm the exact fee for your country on PMI’s own registration page before you pay.
Why this matters for your timeline
If you’re already eligible and just haven’t scheduled yet, booking before August 6 locks in the current, lower fee. If you’re still working through the 35 training hours or your application, the fee increase is a secondary concern next to the bigger change that already happened on July 9: PMI’s exam domain weighting shifted (People 42% → 33%, Process 50% → 41%, Business Environment 8% → 26%), and the content now leans harder on AI, sustainability and business-impact scenarios, in line with PMBOK 8th edition.
Does PMI membership pay off?
With the new non-member fee, the math shifts further in favor of joining PMI before you book:
- PMI membership: roughly $139–$164/year depending on region
- Member exam fee: roughly $405–$425 (unchanged)
- Non-member exam fee: $675 in the US from August 6
Even after paying for membership, most US candidates come out a little ahead by joining first, on top of getting member access to the PMBOK Guide and other resources. Run the numbers for your own country’s pricing before deciding, since membership and exam costs both vary outside the US.
What to do now
If your exam date is flexible, decide before August 6 whether you’re booking now at the current fee or joining PMI first. If you’ve already paid or scheduled, this change doesn’t affect you. Either way, the underlying exam content and preparation path are the same regardless of which side of August 6 you register on.
FAQ
When does the new PMP exam fee take effect?
August 6, 2026, for non-members. PMI members are not affected.
Does the fee increase change the exam content?
No. The content and domain-weighting changes took effect separately on July 9, 2026, when the updated PMP exam launched.
Is PMI membership worth it before I book?
For most US candidates, yes: the combined cost of membership plus the member exam fee is lower than the non-member fee alone. Check your own country’s pricing, since the gap varies.
Where can I confirm the exact fee for my country?
On PMI’s own certification registration pages, since regional pricing outside the US and the “selected other countries” tier varies and PMI is the only authoritative source for the exact number you’ll be charged.
