PRINCE2 Foundation: what the Version 7 exam involves and the cheapest way to buy it
As of November 2026, PeopleCert does not list the PRINCE2 Foundation exam on its own; the cheapest way to buy it is the $701 self-study bundle with the voucher, the official eBook and a learning kit. With an instructor, the Learning Tree class is $2,490, voucher included. A first attempt across the four options below costs $701 to $2,490. With some project experience, plan on 2 to 3 weeks of part-time study (our estimate).
Key facts
- PeopleCert lists PRINCE2 Foundation (Version 7) from $701 as an exam bundle with the voucher, official eBook and Learning Resource Kit. (PeopleCert, checked November 5, 2026)
- The Foundation exam has 60 multiple-choice questions in 60 minutes, closed book, with a 60% pass mark. (PeopleCert, checked November 5, 2026)
- PRINCE2 Practitioner (Version 7) accepts PRINCE2 Foundation or an earlier PRINCE2 certificate, the PMP or the CAPM as its prerequisite. (PeopleCert, checked November 5, 2026)
- PeopleCert exam vouchers are valid for 12 months, and exams can be taken online from home or the office. (PeopleCert, checked November 5, 2026)
- PRINCE2 certifications are renewed every three years, through CPD points, another exam in the suite or the same exam again. (PeopleCert, checked November 5, 2026)
Who PRINCE2 Foundation is for
PeopleCert describes Foundation as the "core module to get you started", suitable for any career stage. It shows that you know the PRINCE2 method: its seven principles, practices and processes, the project roles, and how to tailor the method to a project. Version 7 adds a people element and folds sustainability into project performance. Foundation tests knowledge of the method; applying it to a scenario is what Practitioner tests.
A good fit if
- Your organization, client or government contract uses PRINCE2 and you work on or support its projects
- You are moving into a project coordinator or PMO role and want a short, closed-book exam with no experience rule
- You plan to go on to PRINCE2 Practitioner and do not hold the PMP or CAPM
Think twice if
- You already hold the PMP or CAPM: PeopleCert accepts either for Practitioner, so Foundation can be skipped
- Your employers and job postings are US-based and name the PMP or CAPM rather than PRINCE2
- Your team works in Scrum sprints and you want a Scrum credential: PRINCE2 is a project method, not a Scrum role
Consider instead: For US-recognized project credentials, see the CAPM (no experience needed) or the PMP. For running IT services rather than projects, see ITIL 4 Foundation, also from PeopleCert. For Scrum, see PSM I or CSM.
The Version 7 Foundation exam, and what comes after it
PeopleCert lists no prerequisites and no experience requirement for Foundation. Version 7 is the edition PeopleCert sells today; its product pages name no successor or retirement date. Official results arrive in 2 business days, and the exam is offered in 14 languages.
| Fact | Foundation | Practitioner |
|---|---|---|
| Prerequisite | None | Foundation (Version 7), PRINCE2 5th or 6th Edition, PMP, CAPM or another listed certificate |
| Questions | 60 multiple choice | 56 questions and sub-questions worth 70 marks |
| Time | 60 minutes | 150 minutes |
| Book | Closed | Open |
| Pass mark | 60% | 60% |
| Cheapest PeopleCert bundle | $701 | $778 |
PeopleCert's product page does not publish a weighting by topic for the Foundation exam.
How you buy and sit the exam
There are two ways to get a voucher. You can buy a bundle from PeopleCert directly; every purchase option on the Foundation page includes the voucher, so there is no exam-only price to compare against. Or you take a course from an Accredited Training Organization, which supplies the voucher as part of the course. Either way the voucher lasts 12 months. PeopleCert says you can book as little as 4 hours ahead and sit the exam online at home or at work; Learning Tree says its students register with PeopleCert's web proctoring service after the class.
Retakes. PeopleCert's eLearning+ bundle includes a free re-take. Otherwise, PeopleCert's Take2 re-sit add-on has to be bought before your exam (up to 15 minutes before the session) and is valid for 6 months from the first attempt. PeopleCert does not show the Take2 price on that page.
Self-study or a class
Self-study. The $701 bundle includes the official eBook and PeopleCert's Learning Resource Kit (a learner workbook and quick reference guide), which is enough for many people with project experience. The $1,029 eLearning tier adds about 9 hours of interactive content and sample papers.
Instructor-led. A three-day class suits people new to project work, or anyone whose employer pays. PeopleCert points to its Accredited Training Organizations for classroom training. Learning Tree's course 1176 includes the voucher, official PeopleCert materials and a Take2 re-sit on public events.
PRINCE2 Foundation prices
| Route | Provider and course | Published price | Exam fee | First attempt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Self-study bundle | PeopleCert, PRINCE2 Foundation (Version 7) exam bundle: exam voucher, official eBook and Learning Resource Kit. Checked November 5, 2026. | $701 | Included | $701 |
| Official eLearning | PeopleCert, PRINCE2 Foundation eLearning: the bundle plus about 9 hours of interactive eLearning and auto-marked sample papers. Checked November 5, 2026. | $1,029 | Included | $1,029 |
| eLearning with a retake | PeopleCert, PRINCE2 Foundation eLearning+: adds a free exam re-take and an official mock exam. Checked November 5, 2026. | $1,338 | Included | $1,338 |
| Live class, online or in person | Learning Tree, PRINCE2 7 Foundation Certification Training (course 1176), 3 days, exam voucher, official PeopleCert materials and a Take2 re-sit on public events. Checked November 5, 2026. Commercial price. | $2,490 | Included | $2,490 |
Costs to plan for. A retake if your option does not include one; Practitioner later, from $778 for PeopleCert's bundle; and renewal every three years, either through PeopleCert Plus membership (its price is not on the renewal page) or by passing another exam in the PRINCE2 suite.
Questions to put to a PRINCE2 course provider
- Version 7 or an older edition. Learning Tree's course names PRINCE2 7. Some providers still list 6th Edition outlines; ask which edition the course and the voucher cover.
- Accredited Training Organization status. Learning Tree's page mentions official PeopleCert materials but makes no ATO statement. Check a provider against PeopleCert's list of ATOs.
- Retake terms. Learning Tree includes a Take2 re-sit on public classes only, to be used within six months; ask whether a private or team class includes one.
- Practitioner bundled or not. If you plan to take both exams, compare a combined Foundation and Practitioner course with two separate purchases.
Renewing PRINCE2
PeopleCert renews certifications every three years from the original certification date, and it lists PRINCE2 5th, 6th and 7th editions as requiring renewal. There are three routes: log 60 CPD points as a PeopleCert Plus member (20 a year for three years), pass another exam in the PRINCE2 suite before your renewal date, or pass the same exam again. If you go on to Practitioner within three years, that pass also counts as another exam in the suite.
For project offices
For a PMO standardizing on PRINCE2, Foundation gives everyone the same vocabulary, and only the people running projects need Practitioner. Staff who already hold the PMP or CAPM can go straight to Practitioner.
PRINCE2 Foundation questions
- Can I buy just the exam?
- Not from PeopleCert's Foundation page as of November 2026: every option there is a bundle that includes the voucher, starting at $701.
- Is the exam open book?
- Foundation is closed book. Practitioner is open book.
- Do I need Foundation before Practitioner?
- Not if you hold the PMP, the CAPM, or a PRINCE2 5th or 6th Edition certificate; PeopleCert accepts each of these.
- Does PRINCE2 Foundation expire?
- PeopleCert renews it every three years through CPD points or another exam in the suite.
Next step
If you are deciding between PRINCE2 and a PMI credential for your role, send us what your employer or clients ask for.
Ask for help choosing PRINCE2 Foundation training
Sources
- PeopleCert: PRINCE2 Project Management Foundation (Version 7) (bundles, exam, renewal), checked November 5, 2026
- PeopleCert: PRINCE2 Project Management Practitioner (Version 7) (prerequisites, exam, bundles), checked November 5, 2026
- PeopleCert: ways to get certified (voucher validity, online exams, ATOs), checked November 5, 2026
- PeopleCert: Take2 re-sit exam, checked November 5, 2026
- PeopleCert: keep your certification current (renewal routes), checked November 5, 2026
- Learning Tree: PRINCE2 7 Foundation Certification Training (course 1176), checked November 5, 2026
Prices are published list prices we recorded on the dates shown, not quotes. How we research.