5 Project Management Certifications to Pursue This Year!

Project Management Certification is the best way to get project manager jobs. The certification is an indicator of ability that proves a person’s knowledge of project management techniques, resources, and best practices.

Therefore, Consider your project management skills, desired career path, and preferred specialization to determine the ideal choice. That is why we have created a list of the top project management certifications to pursue this year. READ ON!

What Is a Project Management Certification?

Project management certification validates one’s knowledge, skills, and practical expertise in project management. These certificates are often awarded by professional organizations and are highly accepted in organizations.

The certification procedure usually involves completing an exam that evaluates the candidate’s expertise in project management principles, methods, and methodologies.

5 Best Project Management Certifications to Pursue

The following are the best 5 project management certifications to pursue this year.

1. Project Management Professionals (PMP)

2. Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)

3. Program Management Professional (PgMP)

4. Portfolio Management Professional (PfMP)

5. Agile Certified Practitioner (ACP)

1. Project Management Professionals (PMP)

The Project Management Professional (PMP) certification is well recognized and respected for emphasizing leadership and project management skills. Professionals who hold a PMP certification frequently see faster career advancement and more job options.

Cost:

PMI exam fees vary depending on project management institute membership. Members pay $405, while non-members pay $555.

2. Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)

PMI provides several certificates in our area, including the Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM). This is the first stage in your certification process. It teaches you the fundamentals and allows you to distinguish yourself from others attempting to break into the industry.

Cost:

PMI members pay $225, while non-members pay $300.

3. Program Management Professional (PgMP)

The PgMP certification is designed for project managers who aim to advance to the role of program manager. Successful program management requires expertise in resource management, project planning, and risk management.

Cost:

The program management professional (PgMP) exam costs $800 for PMI members and $1,000 for non-members.

4. Portfolio Management Professional (PfMP)

The Portfolio Management Professional (PfMP) certification is designed for experienced project managers who want to move beyond managing individual projects to managing entire portfolios. 

PfMP holders show expertise in prioritizing and managing project portfolios to align them with organizational strategic goals. 

This position necessitates strong analytical abilities as well as a thorough understanding of project management procedures, methodologies, and tools.

Cost:

The PfMP exam is $800 for PMI members, $1,000 for Non-PMI members.

5. Agile Certified Practitioner (ACP)

The PMI-ACP certification is designed for project management professionals who want to validate their understanding of agile project management. The test assesses your general knowledge of an agile framework as well as your comprehension of several agile project management approaches such as Scrum, kanban, lean, and Extreme Programming (XP).

Cost:

The Agile certified practitioner (ACP) examination costs $435 for PMI members and $495 for non-members.

Importance of Project Management Certifications

Here are the importance of project management certifications:

• Project Management Certifications are globally recognized, ensuring that your skills remain relevant across the globe.
• It offers a better salary than non-certified project managers.
• Helps to strengthen professional skills.
• Certification offers various opportunities for career advancement.
• Certified project managers are more able to identify and mitigate risks, which contributes to project success.
• Certified project managers often contribute to higher project success rates due to their enhanced project management skill set.
• Certification programs provide opportunities to network with other professionals.

Tips to Prepare for Certification Exams

Here are the important tips to prepare for project management exams: 

1. Understand Exam Requirements:

Review the exam pattern or syllabus to understand the topics and skills covered.

2. Create a Study Schedule:

Create a realistic study schedule based on the exam date, distributing enough time for every topic.

3. Gather Study Materials:

Collect official study guides, textbooks, and any recommended materials provided by the certification body.

4. Online Resources:

Explore online resources such as video tutorials, forums, and practice exams to supplement your study materials.

5. Practice Exams:

Take practice exams regularly to familiarize yourself with the exam format and identify weak areas for improvement.

6. Study Groups:

Join or form a study group to discuss concepts, share insights, and clarify doubts with others.

7. Identify Weak Areas:

Analyze practice exam results to pinpoint weak areas and allocate additional study time to those topics.

Summing up, investing in one or more of these certifications is a smart way to advance your project management career. Whether you choose PMP, CAPM, PgMP, PfMP, or Agile certification, Education Edge will help you secure these certifications.

Choose the certification that matches with your career goals to stay ahead in the competitive field of project management.

Frequently Asked Questions