❓ Answer

CAPM Certification vs PMP

GM Giora Morein, CST
· Last updated July 2, 2026
📖 Quick answer

CAPM costs $300; PMP costs $405-$555. CAPM suits beginners; PMP is for experienced project leaders. Choose based on your career stage.

Answered by Giora Morein, Certified Scrum Trainer. ThinkLouder has trained 55,000+ practitioners since 2001.

CAPM certification costs around $300, while PMP certification costs between $405 and $555, depending on your membership status with PMI. The CAPM is designed for those new to project management, while the PMP is aimed at experienced project leaders.

Key Differences

  • Eligibility: CAPM requires a high school diploma and 23 hours of project management education, whereas PMP requires 36 months of project leadership experience with a bachelor’s degree.
  • Exam Structure: The CAPM exam consists of 150 questions, while the PMP exam has 180 questions.
  • Renewal Requirements: CAPM must be renewed every five years with 15 PDUs, while PMP requires 60 PDUs every three years.

Which One Should You Choose?

Choosing between CAPM and PMP depends on your career stage. If you’re just starting, the CAPM is a great stepping stone. If you have the experience, pursuing the PMP can significantly enhance your career prospects.

ThinkLouder has trained over 55,000 practitioners since 2001, offering courses that prepare you for both CAPM and PMP certifications. Our classes start at $349, providing a solid foundation for your project management journey.

For more information on certifications, check out our certification page. If you're considering project management without experience, read our post on how to become a project manager with no experience.

Get the practitioner newsletter

One short email, every other Friday. Real-world Scrum lessons, no fluff. Unsubscribe anytime.

Ready to learn from a CST?

Browse upcoming Scrum classes

CSM, CSPO, A-CSM, A-CSPO. Live classes from a Certified Scrum Trainer who's been doing this for 20+ years.

Next PMP classes

Take the next step on this topic — live with a Certified Scrum Trainer.

July 2026

3 classes
Project Management Professional certification badge
Jul 2 –
Aug 18
7 Weeks
Project Management Professional
Thurs / Tues Evenings (7 weeks)
8PM to 10PM Eastern
Joseph Tierney, PMP instructor
TAUGHT BY
Joseph Tierney
MS, PMP
$1595 $1095 Save $500
Project Management Professional certification badge
Jul 6 –
Aug 19
6 Weeks
Project Management Professional
Mon / Weds Evenings (6 weeks)
8PM to 10PM Eastern
Kaye McNulty, PMP instructor
TAUGHT BY
Kaye McNulty
PMP, CAPM
$1595 $1095 Save $500
Project Management Professional certification badge
Jul 6 –
Aug 19
6 Weeks
Project Management Professional
Mon / Weds Afternoons (6 weeks)
3PM to 5PM Eastern
Kaye McNulty, PMP instructor
TAUGHT BY
Kaye McNulty
PMP, CAPM
$1595 $1095 Save $500