In 2024, earning the best project management certification for your skill level and specialization can offer a significant boost in your career.
And while certifications aren’t a necessity, more and more employers are seeking certified candidates during the hiring process. These can also be an excellent way to demonstrate your competence when tackling any challenging project management interview questions.
Thankfully, it’s pretty convenient to earn a project management certification online, and many certifying bodies like the Project Management Institute (PMI) even provide guides on how to get into project management. These resources help interested individuals land project manager jobs.
If you want to improve your resume with a new credential, we’ve listed 15 of the best certifications you can earn in 2024.
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Featured Project Management Certifications [Editor’s Picks] |
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Level: Intermediate |
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Level: Beginner |
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Level: Beginner |
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The Benefits of a Project Management Certification
So, what are the benefits of earning a project management certification? For many, the cost of project management certifications and renewal fees can be a major factor, as this may not be a trivial amount.
By and large, project management certification costs depend on the cert you choose to pursue, with other factors being study guides, project management courses, and the actual testing fee.
If you’re an experienced project manager, you likely don’t need to purchase study guides or take courses, meaning you’ll pay less than those starting from scratch.
But what makes the project manager certification cost and credential renewal worth it? Let’s take a look at some of the main benefits of earning an online project management certification:
- Project management certifications are typically globally-recognized credentials that can help make your resume more attractive to potential employers
- Earning a certification can boost your earning potential significantly
- Improved project performance, productivity, and output
- Certifications can unlock new and exciting job opportunities
- The potential for improved job security due to improved project performance and productivity
- You might learn new soft or interpersonal skills to improve how you communicate and lead
- Improved performance can lead to higher job satisfaction and fulfillment
Ultimately, just like DevOps professionals can enhance their careers, boost their resumes, and stand out from the crowd by earning the best DevOps certifications, project management certifications can do the same for you in project management.
The 15 Best Project Management Certifications in 2024
1. [PMI] Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)
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Prerequisites:
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Total Exam Questions:
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Question Type: Multiple choice |
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Exam Duration: 180 minutes |
Passing Score: N/A - PMI does not disclose passing scores |
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Who Is This Certification Best For?: The entry-level CAPM certification is ideal for those who are just starting out and want to earn a more advanced project manager qualification later |
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Why We Chose This Certification
Our findings show that the globally-recognized CAPM certification offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI) is one of the best and most popular qualifications for entry-level project managers.
PMI recommends that candidates review the CAPM Handbook and check the content outlined in the PMBOK guide before they take the exam for this project management professional certification.
During the assessment, candidates will be tested on their knowledge of project management fundamentals, environments, and project integration management. The test also covers project scope, cost, quality, schedule, and resource management. Finally, candidates must answer questions relating to project procurement, stakeholder/risk management, and communication.
2. [PMI] Project Management Professional (PMP)
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Prerequisites:
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Price:
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Total Exam Questions: 180 |
Question Type: Multiple choice |
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Exam Duration: 230minutes |
Passing Score: N/A - PMI does not disclose passing scores |
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Who Is This Certification Best For?: PMP is ideal for experienced project managers who want a globally-recognized credential on their resume |
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Why We Chose This Certification
You may be asking, What is PMP certification? Our research indicates that The PMI PMP certification is one of the most popular credentials that project management professionals can earn.
Unsurprisingly, PMP certification requirements are more demanding than the entry-level CAPM, with candidates needing a minimum amount of experience to qualify for the exam.
If you meet the criteria, earning the PMP certificate may be well worth it, with Forbes reporting that PMP certified individuals can earn up to 32% more than their non-certified peers.
For a project management professional, PMP certification means preparing to pass a 180-question exam covering the five process groups of initiation, planning, executing, monitoring/controlling, and closing.
The exam also covers nine areas of knowledge, such as scope, integration, cost, time, human resource, quality, risk, procurement, and communication.
3. [PMI] Program Management Professional (PgMP)
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Prerequisites:
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Price:
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Exam Duration: 240 minutes |
Passing Score: N/A - PMI does not disclose passing scores |
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Who Is This Certification Best For?: Senior-level project managers and practitioners with years of experience in managing and coordinating multiple related projects |
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Why We Chose This Certification
Not to be confused with project management, program management is the process of managing multiple related projects simultaneously.
If this aligns with your day-to-day, our findings show that PMI’s PgMP is one of the best and most respected certifications around for program managers.
The exam for this program management certification covers five performance domains, namely program lifecycle, strategic program management, stakeholder engagement, governance, and benefits management.
By focusing on these skills, the PgMP also ensures that examinees understand how to maximize their efficiency with the best project management tools.
4. [PMI] Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)
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Total Exam Questions: 120 |
Question Type: Multiple choice |
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Exam Duration: 180 minutes |
Passing Score: N/A - PMI does not disclose passing scores |
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Who Is This Certification Best For?: PMI-ACP is ideal for experienced project managers who want to earn a credential verifying their knowledge and experience |
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Why We Chose This Certification
PMI’s ACP certification comes highly recommended for those who want to find work at highly Agile organizations that are market dynamic-responsive.
Our research indicates that it can be an excellent choice for professionals that want to validate their knowledge and skills in Agile practices.
If you want to pass the exam for PMI-ACP, you’ll need to be prepared to answer questions about Agile approaches, such as the Agile mindset and principles, stakeholder engagement, value-driven delivery, adaptive planning, team performance, continuous improvement, and problem detection and resolution.
5. [PMI] Scheduling Professional (PMI-SP)
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Total Exam Questions: 170 |
Question Type: Multiple choice |
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Exam Duration: 210minutes |
Passing Score: N/A - PMI does not disclose passing scores |
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Who Is This Certification Best For?: Highly-experienced professionals who want to verify their knowledge and skill in project scheduling |
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Why We Chose This Certification
PMI-SP is a highly respected and globally-recognized credential that’s perfect for professionals specializing in project scheduling. Our finds show that it’s a solid way to verify an individual’s skills in developing and maintaining project schedules that meet outcomes within expected timelines.
Expect this examination to cover schedule strategy, schedule planning/development, schedule monitoring/controlling, stakeholder communications management, and schedule closeout. Candidates who wish to prepare can read the PMI-SP Handbook.
6. [PMI] Portfolio Management Professional (PfMP)
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Prerequisites:
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Total Exam Questions: 170 |
Question Type: Multiple choice |
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Exam Duration: 240 minutes |
Passing Score: N/A - PMI does not disclose passing scores |
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Who Is This Certification Best For?: PfMP is ideal for senior-level practitioners or executives who manage portfolios of programs and projects that align with organizational strategy |
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Why We Chose This Certification
The PfMP is an advanced certification for highly-experienced project management professionals who want to validate their expertise in aligning programs, projects, and operations with an organization’s strategic objectives.
To earn the highly-respected PfMP, candidates must accomplish the first evaluation phase by passing a panel review.
Once you’ve passed the eval panel, our research found that the exam will cover strategic alignment, governance, portfolio performance, portfolio risk management, and communications management. Candidates are expected to be proficient in the knowledge and skills outlined in the PfMP exam guide.
7. [CompTIA] Project+ (Plus)
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Prerequisites: 6-12 months of hands-on project management experience in an IT environment recommended |
Price: $358 |
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Total Exam Questions: Maximum of 90 questions (PK0-005) |
Question Type: Multiple choice, performance-based |
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Exam Duration: 90minutes |
Passing Score: 79% |
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Who Is This Certification Best For?: CompTIA Project+ is ideal for professionals who seek to verify their knowledge and skills in IT project management |
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Why We Chose This Certification
Offered by highly-respected CompTIA, the Project+ is an entry-level project management certification for professionals in IT environments. Once earned, the credential is valid forever, which is a really nice bonus.
Based on our observations, candidates who want to earn this certification will be tested on project life cycle management, communication, resource management, project documentation maintenance, and change management and compliance.
You should also expect to answer questions about frameworks, methodologies, and Agile skills needed in effective and efficient IT project management and delivery.
8. [ScrumAlliance] Certified ScrumMaster
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Prerequisites: Complete a 14-16 hour CSM course with a Certified Scrum Trainer online or in person |
Price: Between $435 and $1150 (depending on the instructor/course) |
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Total Exam Questions: 50 |
Question Type: Multiple choice |
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Exam Duration: 60 minutes |
Passing Score: 74% |
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Who Is This Certification Best For?: CSM is ideal for professionals want to become Scrum practitioners |
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Why We Chose This Certification
Are you someone that’s found themselves working in a Scrum environment? If so, our research indicates that ScrumAlliance’s Certified ScrumMaster certification is an ideal credential that’s both entry-level and designed for those who want to verify knowledge and skills in Scrum principles.
Candidates can expect the exam to cover topics like the foundations and rules of Scrum, how to be an effective Scrum master for teams and stakeholders, how to use Scrum effectively, how to increase Scrum effectiveness at an organization, and servant leadership.
9. [ASQ] Six Sigma Green Belt (SSGB)
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Price: $469 |
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Total Exam Questions: 110 computer delivered; 100 paper-based |
Question Type: Multiple choice |
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Exam Duration: 258 minutes computer delivered; 240 minutes paper-based |
Passing Score: 73.3% |
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Who Is This Certification Best For?: Individuals who want to learn and verify skills in problem-solving and process improvement |
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Why We Chose This Certification
As a problem-solving methodology, Six Sigma uses various project management techniques and tools to minimize defects and waste within any business process. Green is the third of five Six Sigma belts at the project level.
Candidates can expect the exam to cover topics such as the five phases of Six Sigma (DMAIC), data analysis, process improvement, project management skills, and more. The SSGB body of knowledge brochure is a good overview of this certification’s coverage.
10. [ASQ] Six Sigma Black Belt
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Price: $568 |
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Total Exam Questions: 165 computer delivered; 150 paper-based |
Question Type: Multiple choice |
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Exam Duration: 258 minutes computer delivered; 240 minutes paper-based |
Passing Score: 73.3% |
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Who Is This Certification Best For?: SSBB is ideal for individuals looking to verify their project management, problem-solving, and process improvement skills, specifically in a leadership capacity |
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Why We Chose This Certification
Black belts are the second-highest rank of Six Sigma belts at the project level. Our findings show that this credential shows potential employers that you are a capable leader who is a clear communicator and can manage and drive change within an organization.
Candidates can expect the exam questions to cover topics outlined in the SSBB body of knowledge, which include areas such as organization-wide planning and deployment, team management, organizational process management and measures, and more.
11. [PRINCE2] Foundation Project Management Certification
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Prerequisites: None |
Price: Varies, depending on training provider |
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Total Exam Questions: 60 |
Question Type: Multiple choice |
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Exam Duration: 60 minutes |
Passing Score: 55% |
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Who Is This Certification Best For?: This certification is ideal for current or aspiring project managers and other key professionals involved in a project’s process of design, development, and delivery |
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Why We Chose This Certification
PRINCE2 (Projects IN Controlled Environments) is a widely used project management methodology that provides a structured approach for planning, organizing, and controlling projects. Based on our research, this foundation certification verifies an individual’s knowledge and skills in the fundamentals of this approach.
The exam expects candidates to be able to describe the major content and purpose of all roles and the seven PRINCE2 principles, themes, and processes. All other topics are outlined in the syllabus.
12. [IAPM] Certified Project Manager
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Prerequisites: No project experience required |
Price: 479 Swiss Francs (About 530USD) |
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Total Exam Questions: 120 |
Question Type: Multiple choice |
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Exam Duration: 80minutes |
Passing Score: 65% |
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Who Is This Certification Best For?: Aspiring project managers who want an entry-level credential |
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Why We Chose This Certification
This IAPM credential is globally-recognized and valid for life. It’s available entirely online, and prices are set depending on a candidate’s country of residence.
Our research indicates that to earn this certification, you must possess both hard and soft skills on topics like how to initiate projects and successfully bring them to conclusion, ‘soft’ people skills like communication, and more. The full list is available in this cheat sheet.
13. [AAPM] Master Project Manager (MPM) International Certification
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Price: $300 |
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Total Exam Questions: 20 |
Question Type: Variable |
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Exam Duration: 55 minutes |
Passing Score: 70% |
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Who Is This Certification Best For?: Newer professionals seeking an entry-level certification for project management |
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Why We Chose This Certification
MPM is a certification suitable for entry-level professionals looking to get into the field of project management. It aims to verify an individual’s knowledge and skill in project analysis, international project management standards, efficient project delivery, and more.
Once certified, individuals can use the AAPM post-nominals/certifications after their name, i.e., John Doe, MPM. We chose this certification, especially for those with experience in the field. With an executive waiver, project managers can skip the exam and earn the qualification after a review process.
14. [AAPM] Certified International Project Manager
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Price: $300 |
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Total Exam Questions: 20 |
Question Type: Variable |
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Exam Duration: 55 minutes |
Passing Score: 70% |
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Who Is This Certification Best For?: Professionals who seek to verify skill in international project management |
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Why We Chose This Certification
With AAPM’s Certified International Project Manager certification, professionals can verify their knowledge and skills in international project management.
Earning this cert is also a great way to learn new techniques and tools in project structure management, learn more about project delivery cycles, and learn to develop effective and efficient project management strategies.
This certification also puts additional focus on soft and interpersonal skills, which can help to improve team communication and dynamics, product leadership, and more.
Once certified, individuals can use the AAPM post-nominals/certifications after their name, i.e., John Doe, CIPM.
15. [GAQM] Professional In Project Management (PPM)
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Price: $210 (exam voucher only) |
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Total Exam Questions: 150 |
Question Type: Multiple choice |
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Exam Duration: 120 minutes |
Passing Score: 75% |
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Who Is This Certification Best For?: This certification is ideal for mid-level professionals who seek to have the next level of credentials |
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Why We Chose This Certification
Our research found that the PPM is valid for five years once earned, but before sitting for the exam, candidates must attend a 40-50-hour e-course which teaches everything you need to know to get certified.
This prep course covers 14 modules, including basic, intermediate, and advanced project management. Candidates will also learn about effective planning and scheduling, team building, risk management, crisis management, time management, communication strategies, and more.
Best Courses to Prepare for Project Management Certification
How can you feel ready to pass a certification exam? Whether you're preparing for something like an Azure certification or, as we’ll be focusing on, a project management certification, one of the best choices you can make is to take a course.
To help you prepare for your certification journey, we’ve included some excellent project management courses, including some offered by PMI-authorized training partners. Let’s take a look at these below:
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Project Management Certification Prep Courses |
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This is the 5th out of 6 courses in the Google Project Management Certification program on Coursera. It explores Agile project management and its history, philosophy, and approach. It also discusses the Scrum framework. |
Instructor: Google Career Certificates Free/Paid: Paid Duration: About 25 hours |
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[Cornell University] Project Management Cornell Certificate Program |
In this certificate program from Cornell, students learn about project management lifecycles and project characteristics. Students learn more about the PMBOK, construct a project network to identify how long tasks will take, and more. |
Instructor: Linda Nozick Free/Paid: Paid Duration: 3 months |
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Simplilearn is a premier Project Management Institute authorized training partner. In this course, students learn about project management fundamentals. Some included topics are: new technologies and practices, emerging trends, and required project manager core competencies. |
Instructor: Course advisor - Tim Jerome Free/Paid: Paid Duration: 35 contact hours |
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[edX] Introduction to Project Management (by The University of Adelaide) |
This edX course from The University of Adelaide teaches students about the fundamentals and skills needed in project management. Students also learn vital communication skills necessary in project management and understand why today’s projects are more complex. |
Instructor: Frank Schultmann, Noel Lindsay, John Sing, Anton Jordaan, Stella Bachtis Free/Paid: Free to audit, certificate with paid track Duration: Six weeks at 2-3 hours weekly |
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In this course, students earn 25 exam contact hours from a registered PMI education provider. The course provides all the resources necessary to help students pass the CAPM certification and includes exercises and hands-on assignments. |
Instructor: Joseph Phillips Free/Paid: Paid Duration: 23.5 hours of video on demand |
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Final Thoughts
Whether you’re a seasoned project management professional that wants to enhance their resume or a beginner that’s trying to kick start a new career, project management certifications can be an excellent way to validate your skill set, while also increasing your earning potential.
To help you find the right credential for your particular skill set, this article has covered 15 of the best project management certifications available in 2024, including world-renowned bodies like the PMI, CompTIA, ASQ, and more.
We’ve covered prerequisites, exam structure, passing score (where available), and any other key information you need to know to feel prepared to pass an assessment. Plus, we’ve also listed some super-useful project management courses to help you boost your certification exam prep.
Looking to boost your management skills with ERP? Check out:
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How Do I Prepare for Project Management Certifications?
This really depends on the accreditation body that you’ve chosen to earn a certification from. That said, it’s always best to use any study guides they provide, as this can give a great insight into the content that will be examined, including any nuances in phraseology or terminology. Courses can also improve your chances of passing the certification assessment.
2. Where to Start with Project Management Certifications?
To get started with project management certifications, learn which certifications suit your needs. Then, enroll in a course to help prepare you to earn your project manager certification online. Courses can also help you ensure you have all the qualifications to be a project manager and may improve your chances of passing the certification assessment.
3. Why Is a Project Management Certification Important?
Some employers require job applicants to have specific certifications. But even if they don’t, being certified can be beneficial to show employers that you’re a project manager who is reliable and able to deliver projects on budget and on time.
4. How Long Does It Take to Get a Project Management Certification?
It varies, depending on the specific certifications and their requirements. It can take anywhere between a few days to a few months, especially if certain contact hours are required before you can even sit for the exam. Exams themselves are typically only a few hours long.
5. What Is a Passing Score on a PMI Certification?
According to the experts at PMI, they don’t provide a passing percentage as a goal for their certifications. They instead use “sound psychometric analysis” based on subject matter experts from around the world.
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