New PMP® Exam 2026: Key Changes and How to Prepare
When does the PMP® exam change?
With the publication of the eighth edition of the PMBOK®, the Project Management Institute (PMI) has confirmed a significant update to the PMP® (Project Management Professional) certification.
The new PMP® exam will come into effect in July 2026, together with the publication of the new Certification Exam Content Outline (ECO), the document that defines the official content and structure of the exam.
Main announced changes
New content aligned with the evolution of Project Management
Although the PMP® exam is not directly based on the PMBOK®, PMI has incorporated new strategic topics, including:
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Artificial intelligence applied to project management
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Sustainability and organizational responsibility
These contents reinforce the role of the project manager as an agent of change and business alignment.
Rebalancing of the PMP® exam domains
The weight of the evaluated domains changes significantly, giving greater relevance to the business environment:
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Process: from 50% to 41%
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People: from 42% to 33%
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Business Environment: from 8% to 26%
This change responds to the need for professionals capable of connecting projects with corporate strategy.
Greater prominence of agile and hybrid approaches
The new PMP® exam increases the weight of agile and hybrid approaches, which will represent approximately 60% of the questions, compared to the current 50%.
This reflects the reality of today’s projects, developed in complex, changing, and highly uncertain environments.
Changes in PMP® eligibility requirements
PMI has expanded the access criteria for the certification, incorporating a new educational level and extending valid professional experience up to a maximum of 10 years.
Experience requirements by educational level
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High school diploma or intermediate vocational training: 60 months of experience (min. 5 – max. 10 years)
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Advanced vocational training: 48 months of experience (min. 4 – max. 10 years)
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Bachelor’s degree: 36 months of experience (min. 3 – max. 10 years)
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GAC-accredited university master’s degree: 24 months of experience (min. 2 – max. 10 years)
In addition, students enrolled in a GAC master’s program can directly accredit the 35 hours of training required by PMI.
Changes in the PMP® exam experience
The exam format remains unchanged:
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180 questions
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240 minutes duration
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20 minutes of break time
However, PMI is introducing more interactive questions based on real scenarios, increasing the level of analysis, professional judgment, and decision-making.
How do these changes affect PMP® candidates?
Although the changes are aligned with PMI’s strategy and market evolution, the trend is clear: each new version of the PMP® exam increases its level of difficulty.
From here, we recommend getting certified under the current version rather than waiting for the next change, which appears to be even more demanding.
At La Salle-URL, leaders in Project Management and pioneers in Spain, we are preparing to have all our courses adapted to the new requirements starting in April 2026, which is the date from which the official ATP preparation material for certification will be available.
As a GAC- and ATP-accredited center by PMI, we are committed to offering you the best up-to-date training.
PROJECT MANAGEMENT AT | LA SALLE-URL