How to Become a Certified Project Manager

Becoming a certified project manager entails passing the exam for one of several available project management certifications. The certification you choose will depend on your career goals as a project manager, the industry you work in, and your professional and educational qualifications. You might consider earning more than one certification from various certifying organizations as you move forward in your career. 

Explore the available project manager certifications, their costs, career benefits, and the steps to becoming a certified project manager. 

What is a project manager certification? 

A project manager (PM) certification is a credential for those who work in project management or want to advance to project management. To become certified, you must satisfy the requirements for a specific project management certification program and pass the accompanying exam. The Project Management Institute (PMI) offers some of the most popular certifications, but several other organizations offer certifications as well. You can earn a general project manager certification or a specialty certification.

The well-known Project Management Professional (PMP) from PMI is a globally recognized project management certification. PMI and each additional certifying organization has its own education and experience requirements depending on the certification type. Membership in the certifying organization may be required, but if not, members typically receive discounts on exam fees.

Read more: 10 PMI Certifications to Level Up Your Project Management Career

Why become a certified project manager? 

Earning a PM certification is intended to advance your career as a project manager. Career advancement can mean better job opportunities, increased pay, greater job security, and enhanced job satisfaction. 

The Master of Project Academy, which proctors some project management certification courses from various institutions, recently surveyed 628 of its learners across 124 countries. Of those who earned certification, 35.77 percent reported that their salary increased by 10 percent, and 16.89 percent saw their salary rise by more than 20 percent [2]. Furthermore, 41.06 percent received a promotion or started a new job. 

Certification demonstrates the proficiency in your field that employers desire. Certification holders may realize they have more options and mobility in their careers, which can bring about more confidence and job satisfaction. As a certified professional, you may find that greater job satisfaction also results in additional roles and responsibilities.

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Demand for certified project management professionals

With the demand for certified project managers rising in industries such as software development, finance, and construction management, holding a project manager certification may lead to more job security and better opportunities. You may have more leverage when negotiating job offers and promotions. 

Is PM certification right for me? 

To know if certification is right for you, consider your career plans and decide whether certification will help you to achieve your professional goals. Research your ideal career path. Find out what requirements and qualifications you need to become a certified project manager in the roles you discovered.

When weighing the pros and cons, it’s also important to consider the time and money it will take to gain certification. You may want to ask your employer about reimbursement options. Some employers help to pay for certification or offer resources to help you earn your certification. Your credentials bring value to your employer, not just to you, so many companies are willing to support employees’ certification goals. 

You can benefit from becoming a certified project manager if you plan on working in project management in the long term or if you’d like more mobility and growth opportunities in your current role. Project management certification can open doors and expand your options regarding where you work, the industry in which you work, and your roles and responsibilities. 

7 project manager certifications 

To become a certified project manager, you will need to meet all experience and education requirements to apply for certification in addition to passing the certification exam. It’s helpful to review the requirements before applying. Some certifications require little to no professional experience, while others require multiple years of experience. 

Project manager certifications are available through professional organizations, schools, and IT vendors. The Project Management Institute (PMI), the Global Association for Quality Management (GAQM), and the International Association of Project Managers (IAPM) are among the most popular organizations offering general certifications. 

Next, discover some project manager certifications for each stage of your career.

Entry-level to mid-level generalist certifications 

If you are just starting out in your career and want to learn more about project management or you want to progress to the next stage in your career, these certifications are an excellent starting point:

• Certified Project Manager (IAPM)

• Associate In Project Management (APM)

• Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)

Learn more about these entry-level to mid-level project manager certifications.

1. Certified Project Manager (IAPM) 

Offered by the IAPM, this certification requires no prior professional experience. You must pass an online exam from home. Certification is internationally recognized and requires no recertification. 

Cost: 479 CHF or about $555

2. Associate In Project Management (APM)

This internationally recognized GAQM certification is also a good fit for anyone new to project management. It has no prerequisites but encourages you to complete an e-course to prepare for the exam.

Cost (e-course and exam): $150

3. Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)

The CAPM certification is one of PMI’s generalist certifications for entry-level and associate-level professionals. Prerequisites for this certification include a secondary degree (may include a high school diploma) and 23 hours of project management education that you complete prior to the online exam. 

Cost: $225 for members of PMI; $300 for nonmembers

Senior/advanced-level generalist certifications 

If you have been working in project management for some time and are looking to progress to a more senior level in your career, consider the following project manager certifications: 

• Program Manager Professional (PgMP)

• Professional In Project Management (PPM)

• Master Project Manager (MPM)

• Certified Project Director (CPD)

Explore each senior-level project manager certification further. 

4. Program Manager Professional (PgMP)

This PMI certification is for senior-level professionals already working as program managers. Experiential prerequisites for this certification include a bachelor’s degree and 48 months of project management experience or a PMP, or alternatively, a high school diploma or associate degree along with 84 months of professional experience within the last 15 years.

Cost: $800 for members of PMI; $1,000 for nonmembers

5. Professional In Project Management (PPM) 

GAQM offers this certification intended for working professionals with at least two years of project management experience. You must take an e-course before taking the exam; this is the only prerequisite. The e-course takes 45 to 50 hours, helping professionals to strengthen their project and team management skills. 

Cost (e-course and exam): $310

6. Master Project Manager (MPM)

Offered by the American Academy of Project Management (AAPM), this globally recognized certification is ideal for project managers with experience who are looking to advance into senior-level positions. You need a degree and at least three years of project management experience or AAPM-approved education and training to apply for the certification.

Cost: $300

7. Certified Project Director (CPD)

The CPD is an advanced certification from GAQM. It’s a globally recognized credential for senior and experienced project management executives who want to learn new skills and more advanced management techniques. Requirements include a prerequisite e-course, a bachelor’s degree or postgraduate degree, and one of the following certifications: PPM, PMP, Prince2 Practitioner, or CPM.

Cost (e-course and exam): $250

How much does certification cost? 

For generalist project manager certifications, exam fees range from approximately $130 to $1,000 or more. Certification costs will vary depending on the certification type and certifying organization. For some certifications, you can also enroll in a program to help you prepare for the exam. In most cases, you will pay an application fee and exam fee to gain certification. If you are a member of the certifying organization, you may receive a discount on the exam fee.

For example, the PMP, as mentioned, is a top choice offered by PMI. The cost of the PMP course varies according to where you are in the world, but in the US, it costs $425 for PMI members to take the exam or $675 for nonmembers. To become a PMI member, you will pay an annual fee of $139.

Is the PMP certification worth it?

The skills you learn in The Project Management Professional (PMP) certification from PMI allow you to explore various in-demand positions within project management and potentially increase your earning potential. The certification covers core project management skills like managing a team, understanding processes, and keeping business needs in mind. 

How to prepare for a project management certification exam

To prepare for a project management certification exam, set a study schedule and try to stick to it. Research the relevant topics, post questions in online discussion groups, and make use of any free or paid training aids. 

Some common topics, as well as technical and workplace skills you’ll likely see covered in certifications for project managers, include: 

• Time management 

• Risk analysis 

• Scheduling 

• Communication skills 

• Crisis management 

• Budgeting and cost breakdown 

• Project scheduling 

• Phase model

• Project review 

• Determining project scope

• Planning, organizing, and implementing projects 

• Controlling projects

Become a certified project manager in 5 steps

1. Meet education and experience requirements. 

The education and experience requirements for certification vary by certification type and certifying organization. Certifications for entry-level to mid-level professionals generally have minimal educational requirements (a high school diploma or associate degree) and few experiential requirements. Certifications for professionals with project management experience, meanwhile, have more prerequisites.

2. Enroll in a certification training program or other test prep. 

Once you’ve checked that you meet both the experience and educational requirements for the certification, you may have the option to enroll in a certification training program, depending on the certification. Some certifying organizations require that you become a member in addition to enrolling in their program. 

If you are working toward your PMP, for example, you can enroll in a certification training program that ranges in cost and includes both self-guided and instructor-taught courses to help you prepare for the PMP exam. Completing this certification training program satisfies the required 35 hours of education. 

Other online courses like the Google Project Management Professional Certificate can be a great way to help build foundational skills and learn about project management ahead of a formal certification exam.

3. Apply or sign up for the exam. 

Depending on the certification you’re pursuing, you’ll likely need to register to take the test. This may include submitting an application. If you are looking at certification through the PMI, you can submit your PMP application online. Once approved, you can pay for and schedule a time to take your PMP exam. Sign up to take your exam online or in person at a testing site near you. The exam includes 180 questions, and you have 230 minutes to complete it. 

4. Take the exam. 

When you’ve decided which certification to pursue, completed your test prep, and registered for your test, you'll take your certification exam. Exam length, timing, and location (in person or remote, for instance) will vary depending on the certification you’re earning. With the PMP, for example, you have three chances to pass and one year to take the exam after your application has been approved. The 180 exam questions include three separate domains: business environment, people, and process. The PMI does not disclose information about the PMP exam passing score or exam pass rate. 

5. Maintain your project management professional certification. 

Once you’ve become certified, you’ll likely need to keep the certification up to date. Most certifications require some type of recertification or maintenance. For instance, if you’ve chosen the PMP, you can keep your certification active by earning 60 professional development units (PDUs) every three years. PDUs must include learning opportunities in business acumen, ways of working, and power skills. You will need to earn at least eight PDUs in each of these three categories. After completing a PDU, you’ll report PDUs online and pay a renewal fee. 

Develop project manager skills on Coursera

Being a certified project manager increases your earning potential by proving your skills as a project manager to potential or current employers. Online courses can be a great way to build project management skills and knowledge as well as explore the areas in which you might like to earn certification. Foundations of Project Management from Google is an entry-level course with information on the role of a project manager as well as different project management methodologies. 

If you’re interested in IT project management, consider the IBM IT Project Manager Professional Certificate. This Professional Certificate is an 11-course series covering project management lifecycle, business analysis, Scrum Master essentials, and more. Upon completing the program, gain a shareable certificate to add to your resume or LinkedIn profile.