The Top 7 Project Management Certifications in 2025

Table of Contents

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• What is a Project Management Certification?
• 8 Benefits of Project Management Certificates 
• Are project management certifications worth it? 
• What is the best Project Management Certification?
• The Top 7 Project Management Certifications
• 1. Foundational Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)
• 2. Foundational Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO)
• 3. CompTIA Project+ 
• 4. Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)
• 5. Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)
• 6. Project Management Professional (PMI-PMP)
• Our Recommended Project Management Certificate Courses
• Project Management Certification Course FAQs

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

1. Foundational Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)

• CSM is an entry-level project management certification for scrum masters, software engineers, business analysts, project managers, and new scrum team members. This certification is great for anyone who wants to understand scrum!
• 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.
• About the CSM Exam: Takes 1 hour to complete and costs $435
• Prerequisites: None

2. Foundational Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO)

• CSPO is an entry-level prouct management certification for project managers, product managers, product owners, business analysts, data analysts. This certification is for anyone passionate about product development!
• 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.
• About the CSPO Exam: Takes 1 hour to complete and costs $435
• Prerequisites: None

3. CompTIA Project+ 

• CompTIA Project+ is an entry-level project management certification for early-career project managers and IT professionals.
• 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. This certification is aimed at project managers and IT professionals who are early in their career and/or who handle small, less complex projects.
• About the Project+ Exam: Takes 1.5 hours and costs $369
• Prerequisites: None, but 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)

• CAPM is an entry-level project management certification for beginners looking to validate their foundational knowledge in project management.
• 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.
• About the CAPM Exam: Takes 3 hours and costs $300
• Prerequisites: Yes - a secondary degree and 23 hours of project management education or 1,500 hours of relevant work experience.

5. Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)

• PMI-ACP is a moderately challenging project management certification for project managers with at least two years of experience in the field.
• 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.
• About the PMI-ACP Exam: Takes 3 hours and costs $495
• Prerequisites: 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.

6. Project Management Professional (PMI-PMP)

• PMI-PMP is a challenging project management certification for project managers with at least 3-5 years of experience in the field.
• What does the PMI-PMP certification exam cover? It covers traditional and agile project management approaches, project methodology, budgeting, and team management.
• About the PMI-PMP Exam: Takes ~4 hours and costs $675

• Prerequisites: 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.

Our Recommended Project Management Certificate Courses

A note about choosing a Project Management Cert Course: if your goal is a certification through the Project Management Institute (PMI®) then you should look for a course that counts for PDUs (professional development units) at the Project Management Institute. 

Project Management Certification Course FAQs