PMI-ACP or PMP: which should you get first?

Get the one that matches the work you do now. If you work on an agile team, PMI-ACP proves that experience directly. If you lead projects of any kind, the PMP is the broader credential and the one more job postings ask for.

The short answer

PMI-ACP first if your daily work is agile delivery: sprints, backlogs, Scrum or Kanban. PMP first if you lead projects end to end, whatever the method, and want the credential employers recognise most widely. Both come from PMI, and many people eventually hold both.

What each certification says about you

PMI-ACP says you know agile practice: how agile teams plan, deliver and improve. PMI describes it as agnostic and experience-based. The PMP says you can lead a project from start to finish, and it covers predictive, agile and hybrid ways of working across three domains: People, Process and Business Environment.

What each one asks for

PMI-ACP asks for experience working on agile teams plus agile training; its exam has 120 questions in 180 minutes. The PMP asks for project leadership experience (36 months with a bachelor's degree), 35 hours of project management training, and an exam of 180 questions in 240 minutes. Check PMI's current requirements for your route before you apply; our PMP eligibility guide covers the PMP routes.

Choose PMI-ACP first if

You are a Scrum Master, product owner, developer or analyst on an agile team; your organisation runs agile delivery and you want that recognised; or you do not yet meet the PMP's project leadership requirement but you do have agile team experience. Our PMI-ACP training is taught live over weekends, with 35 contact hours and 1,000+ practice questions.

Choose PMP first if

You already lead projects, you are applying for roles that ask for the PMP, or you work across methods rather than in one agile team. It is the more widely requested credential. Our PMP course runs seven Saturdays, live in person in Mississauga or online, with 60 contact hours.

Can you hold both?

Yes, and they complement each other: the PMP covers how to lead a project, PMI-ACP goes deeper on agile practice. Hold another current PMI certification and PMI carries your recent agile experience into the PMI-ACP application. If you are unsure where to start, read how hard the PMP exam is or talk to us about your background.