Guide

The Top 7 Project Management Certifications in 2025

Jennifer Inglis

Written By Jennifer Inglis

Jess Feldman

Edited By Jess Feldman

Last updated April 1, 2025

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If you’re a project manager (or looking to become one!) and you want to take the next step in your career, you might be considering a Project Management Certification to open those doors. We’ve chosen seven in-demand project management certifications that will show potential employers that you mean business. Get the must-know details on each cert, including how difficult each exam is and the best courses to prepare for each exam. Plus, we’ve got answers to your frequently asked questions so you’ll be able to make your choice with confidence.

What is a Project Management Certification?

A project management certification demonstrates your expertise in planning, executing, and managing ongoing projects. It may sound straightforward, but earning a certification does more than validate your skills – it highlights your commitment to the field and proves your proficiency in advanced project management methodologies, tools, and techniques. Employers recognize this expertise and are often willing to offer competitive salaries to match.

Project management certs will test many techniques and methodologies – expect questions about managing teams, navigating conflict, SCRUM, Agile methodology, managing budgets, resourcing, and organizational approaches. 

8 Benefits of Project Management Certificates 

There are definite advantages to obtaining a project management certificate, from prestige, more career opportunities, better salary, and more. Let’s break down the eight reasons why you might want to consider getting one (or more!) certifications to solidify your project management career:

  1. Universal recognition and enhanced reputation
  2. Provides a competitive edge
  3. Qualification for senior management roles
  4. Increased job opportunities
  5. Higher salary potential — up to 33% more than project managers without certification
  6. Enhanced project management knowledge & skills
  7. Increased networking opportunities
  8. Increased job security

Are project management certifications worth it? 

Yes, but with this caveat: experience is important, too. Getting certified doesn't guarantee you will get hired, and not everyone needs certification to be successful. In general, project management certifications are worth it if you’re a:

  • Mid-level or senior project manager
  • Project analyst, coordinator, or leader
  • Product manager
  • Program manager
  • Project Sponsor
  • Team leader
  • Looking to expand your project management skills

Jim Jones, a Vice President Chief Information Officer with over thirty years experience in the project management field, recommends certifications as a way to rise up the career ladder. He also suggests becoming a member of ScrumAlliance and/or Project Management Institute (PMI) to continue learning and building your network. 

When deciding if project management certification is worth it for you, consider the not insubstantial cost and time involved in preparing for and taking the exams, and whether you’re looking to improve your skills as a project manager. However, given the increased job market value and earning potential, increased career opportunities, and significant edge given over non-certified project managers, it may very well be worth it for you in the long run.

What is the best Project Management Certification?

Without a doubt, the most widely-accepted project management certification is the Project Management Professional (PMP), offered by Project Management Institute (PMI). The PMP-PMI certification covers the fundamentals of project management, the project lifecycle and management processes, how to prioritize people and business, and data analytics.

But the PMP-PMI certification is also the most advanced, so we only suggest it if you’re an experienced project manager already. Otherwise, start with an entry or mid-level certification. 

The Top 7 Project Management Certifications

 

Cost

Difficulty

Who it’s for

Prerequisites?

Foundational Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)

$435

Entry-level

For scrum masters, software engineers, business analysts, project managers, new scrum team members.

No

Foundational Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO)

$435

Entry-level

For project managers, product managers, product owners, business analysts, data analysts. 

No

CompTIA Project+ Certification

$369

Entry-level

Early-career project managers and IT professionals.

No

Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)

$300

Entry-level

For beginners looking to validate their foundational knowledge in project management.

Yes - a secondary degree and 23 hours of project management education or 1,500 hours of relevant work experience.

Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)

$495

Moderately Challenging

For project managers with at least two years of experience in the field.

Yes - a secondary degree, 28 hours of training in Agile practices, 12 months of general project experience, and eight months of Agile project experience within the last three years.

Project Management Professional Certificate (PMI-PMP)

$675

Challenging

For project managers with 3-5 years of experience in the field.

Yes - a high school diploma, college degree, and/or relevant work experience.

1. Foundational Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)

  • What does the Foundational Certified ScrumMaster Certification exam cover? The Foundational CSM exam covers the foundations of the scrum framework, including the foundations of scrum; understanding scrum accountabilities, events, and artifacts; leadership skills.
  • How many hours to complete the exam: 1 hour
  • This certification is great for anyone who wants to understand scrum!

2. Foundational Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO)

  • What does the Foundational Certified Scrum Product Owner Certification exam cover? The Foundational CSM exam covers the foundations of the scrum framework, stakeholder management, product vision development, and customer-centric product selection.
  • How many hours to complete the exam: 1 hour
  • This certification is for anyone passionate about product development!

3. CompTIA Project+ 

  • What does the CompTIA Project+ certification exam cover? The exam covers basic skills in project management, such as the project lifecycle, methodologies, tools and documentation, communication, risk management, and change management.
  • How many hours to complete the exam: 1.5 hours
  • This certification is aimed at project managers and IT professionals who are early in their career and/or who handle small, less complex projects.
  • Keep in mind: CompTIA recommends exam-takers have 6-12 months of hands-on experience managing projects in an IT environment before attempting this certification.

4. Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)

  • What does the Certified Associate in Project Management exam cover? The exam covers project management fundamentals, predictive and plan-based methodologies, agile frameworks, and business analysis frameworks.
  • How many hours to complete the exam: 3 hours

5. Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)

  • What does the Agile Certified Practitioner exam cover? The exam covers the application of agile principles and practices, such as value-driven delivery, stakeholder engagement, team performance, adaptive planning, problem detection and resolution, and the continuous improvement of process, product, and people.
  • How many hours to complete the exam: 3 hours

6. Project Management Professional (PMI-PMP)

  • What does the PMI-PMP certification exam cover? It covers traditional and agile project management approaches, project methodology, budgeting, and team management.
  • How many hours to complete the exam: 3 hours, 50 minutes
  • Keep in mind: Candidates who have only a high school diploma/GED must have 5 years experience leading and managing projects within the past eight years, and 35 hours of project management education/training. Candidates with a 4-year college degree must have 3 years experience leading and managing projects within the past eight years and 35 hours of project management education/training.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What can you do with a project manager certification?

Project managers are needed in all industries, including IT, construction, healthcare, the government, finance, the military, engineering, and more. With a project manager certification you can pursue roles such as:

  • Project Manager
  • Program Manager
  • Project Management Specialist
  • Project Management Consultant
  • Vice President of Operations
  • Chief Operations Officer
  • IT Project Manager

One of the most positive aspects to getting a project manager certification is that it doesn’t tie you down to any particular industry. Once you have the certification, you can demonstrate that you know how to lead projects in any field, anywhere in the world.

Which project management certification should I get?

Which project management certification you choose depends on your level of experience and your career goals.

If you're new to project management or want to expand your knowledge base, a Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) might be the right choice

If you’re already working in Agile projects or in software development, consider the Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP) certification.

If you’re an experienced project manager and you’re looking to move your career forward, you might consider the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.

Remember, no matter which certification you decide to pursue, make sure you research the prerequisites for experience level and education, and be aware of the time commitment and exam fees. 


Jennifer Inglis

Written by

Jennifer Inglis, Guest Editor

Jennifer Inglis is a freelance writer, editor, and content creator with extensive professional expertise in advertising, media analysis, teaching,  writing, and literature. Prior to becoming a writer, Jennifer was a Media Analyst for ten years and then earned her master's degree in Teaching, instructing middle-school students in college/career readiness, writing, and public speaking..


Jess Feldman

Edited by

Jess Feldman, Content Manager at Course Report

Jess Feldman is an accomplished writer and the Content Manager at Course Report, the leading platform for career changers who are exploring coding bootcamps. With a background in writing, teaching, and social media management, Jess plays a pivotal role in helping Course Report readers make informed decisions about their educational journey.

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