PMP Certification Requirements in Canada

In Canada, PMP certification eligibility requires candidates to meet specific PMI standards in education, project management experience, and formal training. 

Degree holders must document 36 months of project leadership experience, while those with a high school or associate's degree need 60 months. 

All applicants must complete 35 contact hours of formal project management education through recognized training providers, and their documented experience must align with PMI’s project lifecycle framework.

The Core Criteria for PMP Eligibility in Canada

All candidates for the PMP certification in Canada must meet specific, verifiable requirements in three foundational areas. 

These areas are: educational background, professional project management experience, and formal project management education. 

Each criterion has distinct stipulations that must be satisfied.

PMP Certification Requirements for Canadian Candidates with a Four-Year Degree

This section details the specific criteria for candidates in Canada who hold a bachelor’s degree or its global equivalent from an accredited institution. This pathway is the most common for professionals entering the certification process.

1. Professional Project Management Experience

The primary stipulation for this pathway is the successful completion of a minimum of 36 months of unique, non-overlapping professional project management experience. 

This experience must be accrued in a role where the candidate was leading and directing project tasks.

If you possess a Bachelor's degree or higher (or its global equivalent) from a GAC accredited program, you must have at least 24 months of experience leading and managing projects within the last eight years.

2. Formal Project Management Education

The secondary mandate for this pathway is the completion of 35 contact hours of formal project management education. This education must cover the full spectrum of project management knowledge areas.

Requirements for Canadian Candidates with a High School Diploma or Associate's Degree

This section outlines the specific criteria for candidates in Canada who hold a high school diploma, an associate’s degree, or its globally recognized equivalent.

1. Professional Project Management Experience

For this pathway, the required threshold for professional experience is higher. Candidates must have accumulated a minimum of 60 months of unique, non-overlapping professional project management experience where they were leading and directing projects.

2. Formal Project Management Education

The educational mandate for this pathway remains consistent with the first. A total of 35 contact hours of formal project management education is required for eligibility.

Verification and Documentation of Professional Experience

The documentation of professional experience is a critical component of the PMI application process. All submitted experience is subject to verification and audit.

1. Defining "Leading and Directing Projects"

For the purposes of the PMP application, "leading and directing projects" is defined as performing tasks associated with project leadership across the full project lifecycle. This is distinct from simply participating as a team member. 

Your documented experience must reflect your active role in initiating, planning, executing, monitoring, controlling, and closing projects.

2. The Protocol for Application Documentation

When documenting your experience on the PMI application, you must provide a concise, factual, and accurate description of your projects. 

The protocol requires that you summarize your project objectives, your specific role, your responsibilities, and the final outcomes for each project submitted. Clarity and adherence to PMI's terminology are essential for successful application review.

Fulfilling the 35-Hour Educational Mandate

The 35-contact-hour requirement is a mandatory prerequisite that ensures all candidates have a foundational level of formal project management knowledge.

1. Defining a "Contact Hour"

A contact hour is officially defined by PMI as one hour of classroom instruction, or its equivalent, in project management topics. Self-study does not typically qualify for contact hours unless it is part of a structured course with an end-of-course assessment.

2. Sources of Compliant Education

PMI accepts a range of educational sources to fulfill this mandate. These include courses offered by universities, colleges, corporate training programs, and professional training organizations. 

The most direct and assured path to compliance is through a course offered by a PMI Authorized Training Partner (ATP). ATPs are accredited by PMI and use official, pre-approved curriculum.

Bakkah Provides a Compliant Path to Meeting PMP Requirements

Bakkah is a PMI Authorized Training Partner (ATP). Our PMP course is formally designed and accredited by PMI to fully satisfy the 35-hour educational mandate for the PMP certification requirements Canada.

Enrolling in Bakkah's program ensures that this critical prerequisite is met with verifiable, high-quality instruction that is aligned with the current PMP Examination Content Outline. 

Our system provides a compliant and efficient solution for all Canadian professionals preparing for their certification.

How Bakkah's PMP Course Tackles Real-World Challenges

1. Excel in Project Management, from St. John's to Victoria

Managing projects in Canada presents a unique set of challenges—from vast geographical distances and diverse regional cultures to a complex regulatory landscape. 

Bakkah's PMP® curriculum is engineered specifically to address this reality, equipping you with practical competencies to lead projects successfully across any Canadian industry.

2. Laying the Groundwork: How to Launch Projects That Succeed 

How do you ensure a major initiative is set up for success from the very beginning? This course dives deep into the art of project initiation, teaching you to craft a robust project charter. 

You will develop the skills to define scope and gain formal authorization, a critical foundation for any significant undertaking in Canada's public or private sectors.

3. Navigating Diverse Stakeholder Interests 

Successfully managing a project in Canada means building bridges between diverse regional, cultural, and professional interests. We provide you with a powerful framework for stakeholder engagement. 

You’ll learn proven strategies to foster consensus, manage expectations, and roll out communication plans that resonate with everyone from local teams to national partners.

4. Mastering Logistics in a Coast-to-Coast Context 

What happens when your project team is in Ontario, your resources are in Alberta, and your clients are in British Columbia? This portion of the curriculum directly addresses the logistical complexities of managing resources across Canada's immense geography. 

These skills are especially vital for professionals leading projects in the national transportation, natural resources, and logistics industries.

5. Analyzing Canadian Risk & Opportunity 

True project leadership involves understanding the unique economic and regulatory currents that can influence a project's outcome. 

You will gain proficiency in performing systematic risk analysis through a distinctly Canadian lens. 

This includes learning to navigate the variables—from provincial regulations to national economic trends—that can create both challenges and opportunities for your projects.

5. Delivering World-Class Quality, Made in Canada 

In today's global market, meeting exacting quality standards is non-negotiable. This course instills the core principles of quality governance, ensuring the work you deliver stands up to both national and international benchmarks. 

For anyone working in Canada's vital export-oriented industries, this competency is essential for maintaining a competitive edge.

Elevate your career by enrolling in Bakkah's industry-leading PMP® Course today.

Join Bakkah's industry-leading PMP® Course

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Why Choose Bakkah for Project Management? 

We are a PMI Premier Authorized Training Partner. This means you train with official, PMI-approved content and the highest quality of instruction, ensuring you are perfectly aligned with global standards for certifications like the PMP® and ACP®.

What is the Project Manager Career Learning Path? 

It is your complete toolkit for leadership. This bundled program is designed to build you into a multi-skilled leader by combining technical training with essential soft skills. You will gain proficiency in:

• Methodologies: PMP® & Agile (ACP®)
• Tools: Budgeting, Forecasting & Resource Planning
• Leadership: Strategic Thinking, Communication & Problem-Solving

What is the outcome?

You will emerge fully prepared to pass key PMI certification exams, lead cross-functional teams, and drive project efficiency from start to finish. You won't just be qualified for the job—you'll be the top candidate.

Get up to 70% OFF the Project Manager Career Learning Path and fast-track your career.

Conclusion

To earn the PMP certification in Canada, candidates must meet strict requirements set by the Project Management Institute (PMI), focused on education, professional experience, and formal training. These standards apply regardless of the applicant’s industry or background.

Applicants with a four-year degree must document at least 36 months of leading and directing projects, plus complete 35 contact hours of formal project management education. This is the most common qualification route.

Those holding a high school diploma or associate’s degree must meet a higher threshold of 60 months of professional project leadership experience, in addition to the same 35 contact hours of formal education.

PMI emphasizes the importance of accurately documenting project experience. Applicants must clearly outline project objectives, their leadership role, responsibilities, and results, using PMI-approved terminology.

The 35 contact hours of training must come from recognized sources like universities or PMI-authorized training providers. Courses must include structured instruction and assessment, not just self-study.