Guide
The Top 7 Project Management Certifications in 2025
Written By Jennifer Inglis
Edited By Jess Feldman
Last updated April 1, 2025
Written By Jennifer Inglis
Edited By Jess Feldman
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Course Report strives to create the most trust-worthy content about coding bootcamps. Read more about Course Report’s Editorial Policy and How We Make Money.
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.
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.
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:
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:
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.
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.
|
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. |
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.
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:
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 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, 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, 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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