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10 Of The Most Credible Project Management Certifications

You don’t need a degree to become a successful project manager but the right project management certifications can certainly help your career. A credible certification could help you get hired (or promoted) faster and may even help you bump up your salary.

Project management certifications prove that you have the skillset, knowledge, and expertise to handle complex project management scenarios.

There is a vast selection of certifications available. In this article, we share the top 10 credible project management certifications that will greatly help you develop a successful career path.

Benefits of Project Management Certification

To complete a project management course, you must invest a considerable amount of time, money, and effort. So is it really worth it? To answer you, here are a few reasons why this certification is critical to your career success.

Establishes credibility

Any certification you undertake requires you to meet certain stringent guidelines that measure your experience, education, and professional knowledge. Getting certified indicates that you have the abilities and skills to lead and manage a team and achieve results that meet the company’s expectations.

Increases your chances of getting hired

The demand for appropriately certified PM professionals is growing tremendously by the day. Getting a PM certificate will help you join the ranks of the certified and get hired faster.

Gives you higher pay and compensation

According to PMI’s salary data survey, professionals with appropriate certifications earn 20% more than those without. Upskilling and becoming a qualified project manager may just be what you need to get a raise.

Enhances your skills

When you undertake any certification, you undergo training that helps you acquire (or improve) essential project management skills.

Expands your professional networks

The learning process provides you with an excellent opportunity to network with other learners. You may also choose to join the accrediting institution’s professional network and engage with other peers.

The Project Management Institute (PMI), for instance, has over 600,000 global members and at least 300 local chapters. What a huge and invaluable network!

Improves the company’s growth

The versatility of skills and methods you gain from courses will help you lead projects with efficiency and a strong success rate. The more successful projects you deliver, the more you help your organization to achieve its overall goals.

Top 10 Most Credible Project Management Certifications of 2023

Pursuing project management education and getting certified can be great for enhancing your capabilities. However, not all certifications are created equal.

So what’s a project management course worth pursuing? Here are the 10 most credible certifications that can help take your career to the next level:

Project Management Professional (PMP)

Project Management Professional (PMP) is a highly acclaimed industry-recognized certification for project managers. Its global appeal makes it one of the most credible PM certifications on the market. Better still, it’s administered by the world-renowned Project Management Institute (PMI).

With this certification, you can work in virtually any industry with any methodology and in any location.

PMI certification is a rigorous and thorough test that covers all aspects of project management. Taking this certification will especially help you to learn how to deal with the three primary project management constraints: Time, Cost, and Scope.

Accreditation: Project Management Institute (PMI)
Price: Member: $405 Non-member: $555
Requirements:
Three years minimum experience in the project management field or an equivalent of 7,500 hours of directing projects in PM-related areas
35+ hours of project management education

Agile Certified Practitioner (ACP) Certification

As the world of project management gets more agile, getting the Agile Certified Practitioner (ACP) certification is essential.

This certification offers a step-by-step guide on how to apply all the Agile practices in your projects. By the end of this course, you’ll be a master at using the Agile methodology to manage projects.

Accreditation: Project Management Institute PMI
Price: Member: $435 Non-member: $495
Requirements:
At least 2000 hours of experience in project management
Prior experience with Agile teams or companies

Certified Project Manager–IAPM

Certified Project Manager (IAPM) certification is the perfect course for anyone getting started in the project management field. Your role may not be a project manager but, every often, you find yourself handling different projects. You can take this course to get the necessary skills to manage your projects better.

This course will teach you basic project management practices such as:
How to choose the correct project methodologies
Creating proper project documentation
Efficient project planning
How to assign and manage project tasks correctly

Accreditation: CCPC Global
Price: $630-$800
Requirements:
None. Simply take the three-day training course.

Certified Six Sigma Black Belt (CSSBB)

Certified Six Sigma Black Belt (CSSBB) is yet another globally recognized certification. The core focus of this course is the Six Sigma philosophies and principles.

At the end of the course, you’ll be certified as a black belt (how cool is that!). On top of the fancy title, you’ll also have a thorough understanding of all aspects of the define, measure, analyze, improve and control (DMAIC) model under the Six Sigma principles.

Accreditation: ASQ
Cost: $540
Requirements:
Complete at least two different types of projects,
At least three years of experience as a project manager in the field
Past project affidavits to showcase your work

Certified Six Sigma Green Belt Certificate

The Certified Six Sigma Green Belt certificate is another important course that’s part of the Six Sigma Certifications.

This course is suitable for people already working in project management roles but wants to improve the quality of their projects.

You’ll learn how to plan your projects effectively, proper performance management, and efficient resource management.

Accreditation: ASQ
Cost: $440
Requirements:
At least three years of experience dealing with Six Sigma projects

Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)

The Certified Associate in Project Management is another credible project management course for beginners.

The course is undemanding making it especially suitable for people without experience in project management. As a beginner, you’ll learn fundamental PM knowledge, terminology, and processes.

Accreditation: Project Management Institute PMI
Price: Member: US $225.00 Non-member: US $300.00
Requirements:
At least 1,500 hours of project experience or 23 hours of project management education

PRINCE2 Project Management Certifications

The PRINCE2 project management certifications are top-level accreditations offering something for everyone in project management.

There are two certifications: PRINCE2 Foundation and PRINCE2 Practitioner. Whether you’re an aspiring project manager, team manager, project team member, project assurance professional, or operational line manager or staff, one of these two courses will help you upskill.

PRINCE2 certifications cover all aspects of directing, managing, and delivering projects from planning, initiation, execution, and final delivery.

Accreditation: AXELOS Ltd
Price: $900
Requirements:
Any of the IPMA Level A to B Certifications
Certified Project Management Associate Certification
PRINCE 2 Foundation Course (If taking PRINCE2 Practitioner)
Project Management Professional Certification (PMP)

Professional in Project Management (PPM)

Professional in Project Management (PPM) is a mid-level certification aimed at experienced project managers. The focus of this course is to turn the project manager from a basic leader to a problem solver who can mitigate risks and handle crises effectively.

The certification covers how to:
Plan, execute, control, and complete project schedules
Develop project measures
Lead project teams
Manage risks and crises

Accreditation: Global Association of Quality Management
Price: $100-$340
Requirements:
Complete the mandatory E-Course
At least some project management experience

Certified Project Director (CPD)

Certified Project Director (CPD) is one of the most credible and prestigious project management certifications available. This course is exclusively for senior and experienced professionals who want to be able to manage complex projects. The course trains on managing, budgeting, and scoping when working on multiple projects.

Accreditation: Global Association of Quality Management
Price: $400 – $555
Requirements:
Demonstrated hands-on knowledge of the principles and methodologies of project management as a director

Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)

The use of agile methodologies has become standard making it essential for project managers to become certified Scrum masters. If you’re increasingly managing Agile projects, The Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) course is an excellent way to upskill.

This course breaks down the Scrum framework, its values, practices, and applications. It also offers an in-depth guide to team roles, events, artifacts, and rules that enable peak team performance.

Accreditation: The Scrum Alliance
Price: $990-$1400
Requirements:
A general familiarity with Scrum
Attend an in-person, two-day (16-hour) CSM course
Complete your Scrum Alliance membership profile after passing the CSM exam and accepting the License Agreement

It’s Time to Get Started

Any of these credible PM certifications will help you stay competitive in an industry that’s rapidly changing and demanding the right set of qualifications. So go on, and kick-start your journey to achieve your certification.

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