Quick facts
CAPM eligibility requirements
PMI publishes the definitive CAPM eligibility criteria. Use PMI’s CAPM page as your primary source and apply exactly as stated there.
Eligibility checklist
- Education prerequisite: Meet PMI’s stated minimum education requirement for CAPM (confirm the exact wording on PMI’s CAPM page).
- Project management training hours: Complete the required number of hours of project management education/training as specified by PMI.
CAPM cost breakdown
CAPM costs depend on whether you hold Request a quotePMI membership , whether you need training, and whether you require a retake. Prices change, so use this as a planning guide and confirm live pricing on PMI’s CAPM page before purchase.
See:[email protected] PMI CAPM certification (fees and policies) +44 (0)207 148 5985
| Cost itemCourses | What to expectPROJECT MANAGEMENT | NotesPRINCE2 |
|---|---|---|
| PMI membership (optional)® | Annual membership fee set by PMIFoundation | Membership may reduce exam fees and provides access to PMI resources. Confirm current UK pricing on PMI.Learn the fundamentals of the PRINCE2 method. |
| CAPM exam feePractitioner | Different member vs non member pricingIncludes Foundation & Practitioner combined option. | Check current fees on PMI (pricing varies by membership status).Association for Project Management (APM) |
| Retake fee (if applicable)Project Fundamentals Qualification (PFQ) | Set by PMIStart your APM project management career. | Retake rules and fees are defined by PMI policy for the current exam cycle.Project Management Qualification (PMQ) |
| Training courseAdvance your APM project management expertise. | Varies widely by provider and formatProject Risk Single Certificate Level 1 | Expect a range based on live vs online, tutor support, and included practice exams. Ensure the course counts towards PMI’s required training hours.Enhance your project risk management skills. |
Study planAgilePM
Use the ®CAPM Exam Content Outline (ECO) – Agile Project Management as your study map, then reinforce with Foundation PMBOK GuideLearn the key principles of Agile Project Management. aligned learning. The plans below assume you will practise timed questions and regularly revisit weak areas such as risk management, schedule management, cost management, quality management, and stakeholder management.Practitioner
Fast track plan (2 to 6 weeks)Includes Foundation & Practitioner combined option.
- Week 1PRINCE2: Read the ECO end to end. Build notes on project lifecycle, roles, and key documents. Start light practice questions.®
- Week 2 Agile: Predictive (waterfall) methodologies focus: schedule management, cost management, quality management. Do 2 timed practice sets.Foundation
- Week 3Learn the fundamentals of the PRINCE2 Agile method.: Agile project management focus: agile roles, planning cadence, and delivery concepts. Add stakeholder management scenarios.Practitioner
- Week 4Includes Foundation & Practitioner combined option.: Business analysis fundamentals: requirements, traceability, and change control linkages. Add risk management and issue handling questions.AI Project Governance Framework (AIPGF)
- Week 5Foundation : Mixed review by ECO domains. Take 1 full mock exam under time pressure and analyse errors.Learn the fundamentals of the governance framework.
- Week 6Practitioner : Final revision: formulae and terminology refresh, targeted drills for weak topics, then one final timed set 48 to 72 hours before exam day.Includes Foundation & Practitioner combined option.
Steady plan (8 to 12 weeks)Better Business Cases
- Weeks 1 to 2™: Foundations. Learn project management fundamentals and the project lifecycle. Create a glossary and flashcards.Foundation
- Weeks 3 to 4Learn the fundamentals of Better Business cases.: Predictive focus. Deepen schedule management and cost management, then quality management and stakeholder management. Weekly quiz and review log.Practitioner
- Weeks 5 to 6: Risk management and communications related scenarios. Build a one page summary per ECO domain.Includes Foundation & Practitioner combined option.
- Weeks 7 to 8P3O: Agile project management. Compare agile vs predictive (waterfall) approaches and practise situational questions.®
- Weeks 9 to 10Foundation : Business analysis fundamentals. Requirements concepts, validation, and change impacts. Add mixed domain practice sets.Learn the fundamentals of the P3O project management office.
- Weeks 11 to 12Practitioner : Exam readiness. Take 2 full mock exams, review wrong answers by domain, and finalise test day plan for Pearson VUE (test centre or online proctored exam).Includes Foundation & Practitioner combined option.
CAPM vs PMP vs PRINCE2Workshops
If you are comparing credentials, choose based on your experience level, the methodologies used in your organisation, and role expectations. CAPM is usually positioned before PMP because PMP requires substantial project management experience.Introduction to Project Management
| Credential1-day workshop to learn the basics of project management. | Best fit audienceProject Management Essentials | Typical prerequisites2-day workshop to learn how to manage projects without getting certified. | Difficulty (relative)Writing Business Cases | Typical rolesHalf-day workshop to learn to write robust business cases. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAPM (PMI)AI in Project Management | Entry level and early careerLearn how to use AI tools in everyday project work. | Education plus PMI required project management training hoursARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) | Foundational to intermediateBCS AI | Project coordinator, junior project manager, PMO analystFoundation |
| Project Management Professional (PMP) (PMI)Learn the fundamentals of artificial intellegence. | Experienced project managersAI Project Governance Framework (AIPGF) | Significant project leadership experience plus training (per PMI)Foundation | AdvancedLearn the fundamentals of the governance framework. | Project manager, senior project manager, programme rolesPractitioner |
| PRINCE2Includes Foundation & Practitioner combined option. | Project professionals in WorkshopsPRINCE2AI in Project Management environmentsLearn how to use AI tools in everyday project work. | Varies by level (AGILEFoundationAgilePM vs ®Practitioner – Agile Project Management)Foundation | Foundational to intermediateLearn the key principles of Agile Project Management. | Project support, project manager, project assurance rolesPractitioner |
Official linksIncludes Foundation & Practitioner combined option.
FAQsLearn the fundamentals of the PRINCE2 Agile method.
What is CAPM certification?Practitioner
CAPM stands for Certified Associate in Project Management and it is issued by the Project Management Institute (PMI). It validates project management fundamentals aligned to the CAPM Exam Content Outline (ECO). CAPM is most commonly aimed at entry level or early career professionals who work on projects or support a PMO.Includes Foundation & Practitioner combined option.
Who is eligible for CAPM?Scrum
Eligibility is set by PMI and is based on meeting the published education requirement plus completing PMI’s required project management training hours. Because PMI can update criteria, check the official CAPM page before applying. You will confirm your details through the PMI application (certification application) process.Scrum Essentials
How hard is the CAPM exam?Self-paced training course to learn the essentials of Scrum.
Difficulty depends on your familiarity with the project lifecycle, predictive (waterfall) methodologies, agile project management, and business analysis fundamentals. Candidates often find it manageable with a structured plan that follows the CAPM ECO and enough timed practice questions. Avoid relying on pass rate claims and focus on coverage, practice, and exam technique.Scrum Master
Is CAPM worth it?Choose Scrum Alliance or Scrum.org Scrum Master training courses.
CAPM can be worth it if you need a recognised baseline credential to support applications for junior project roles or PMO roles. It can also help create a pathway towards PMP by building vocabulary and structured understanding of risk management, schedule management, cost management, quality management, and stakeholder management. Value depends on your role goals, employer expectations, and whether PMI aligned certification is requested in your sector.Scrum Product Owner
CAPM vs PMP: what’s the difference?Choose Scrum Alliance or Scrum.org Product Owner training courses.
CAPM targets entry level professionals and focuses on project management fundamentals and ECO based knowledge. PMP is aimed at experienced project managers and typically requires substantial project leadership experience, with an exam that tests advanced judgement. If you are early in your career, CAPM is often the more accessible starting point before PMP.AgileBA
How much does CAPM cost?®
CAPM cost varies by PMI membership status, plus any training you purchase to meet the required training hours. PMI also sets retake fees if you need another attempt. For current prices, use PMI’s official CAPM page because fees can change. – Agile Business Analysis
How long does CAPM last / how do you renew?Foundation
CAPM renewal and continuing certification requirements are set by PMI and can change over time. Check PMI’s current CAPM policy pages to confirm validity periods and whether professional development reporting is required. Plan renewal early so your certification remains in good standing.Learn the fundamentals of Agile Business Analysis.
How many questions and how long is the exam?Practitioner
PMI states the CAPM exam includes 150 questions with a 3 hour time limit. The exam is delivered through Pearson VUE either at a test centre or via an online proctored exam where available. Always confirm current exam details on PMI’s CAPM page and the Pearson VUE programme page before exam day.4-day course including Foundation.