TOPIC: CAPM Renewal vs PMP Exam – Do I Need to Renew?

Hi all,

I passed the CAPM in March 2021, and it’s now expired. I’m eligible to renew for $170 (I’ve completed my PDUs).

I applied for the PMP in January, got approved, and I’m studying at my own pace—planning to pay for and schedule the exam around April ($595). I haven’t scheduled yet because I want to review the course material thoroughly.

Since I applied for the PMP while my CAPM was still active, does anyone know if I actually need to renew the CAPM to schedule the PMP? It would be great to save the $170 if it’s not required.

Hey Kevin,

Great question, to my knowledge you should be fine to apply for and take your PMP without your CAPM being active. Many applicants take the PMP without any prior certifications (myself included).

Great luck on your journey!

No, you do not need to renew the CAPM to schedule or take the PMP exam. They are completely independent credentials with separate eligibility tracks. Your PMP application
was already approved based on its own requirements (experience, education hours). The CAPM status has no bearing on that approval or on your ability to schedule the exam at Pearson VUE.

Save your $170. Once you pass the PMP, the CAPM becomes irrelevant anyway, since the PMP supersedes it in every practical sense.

One thing to keep in mind with your timeline: your PMP eligibility window is one year from the date of approval. If you got approved in January 2025, you have until roughly January 2026 to pass. If you got approved in January 2026, you have until January 2027. Make sure you know your exact window so you can plan your attempts accordingly.