Entry-Level Project Management Certification: 4 Options for New PMs

Key takeaways

An entry-level project management certification can be a powerful step toward a well-paying, high-demand career in project management.

• Around the world, organizations need project managers to help teams stay organized, manage resources, and keep projects on track.

• If you like solving problems and have strong leadership and communication skills, you may be a good fit for a project management role.

• Whether you're entering the field or considering a career change, earning an entry-level project management certification can be a strategic move.

The following certificates can help you build foundational skills and show your enthusiasm for the field. If you're ready to build your project management skills, consider enrolling in the Google Project Management Professional Certificate, where you'll learn the foundations of Agile project management, with a focus on implementing Scrum events, building Scrum artifacts, and understanding Scrum roles.

4 entry-level project management certifications and certificates

Explore the options below to determine the best way to build and strengthen your knowledge of project management, and add a valued credential to your resume.

1. Certified Associate in Project Management: CAPM certification

The Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) is an entry-level project management certification issued by PMI. If you're at the beginning of your project management career, this certification can help you build foundational knowledge and gain credibility. Earning this certification can be a valuable step toward the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.

The CAPM exam covers essential concepts, terminology, and best practices that can help prepare you for positions such as project coordinator, junior project manager, or analyst. You have 180 minutes to answer 150 multiple-choice questions, and the exam is available in English, French, Japanese, Arabic, German, Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, and Italian [1].

• Cost: $300 ($225 for members) [1]

• Requirements: High school diploma or GED, 23 hours of project management education, and a passing score on the exam [1]

• How to prepare: The Project Management Institute offers a self-paced course to help you prepare for the exam, as well as an online practice exam that you can use to identify your areas of strength and need.

2. CompTIA Project+ 

If you plan to manage small- to medium-sized IT projects, the CompTIA Project+ certification may be valuable for your career goals. Offered by the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA), this certification is especially relevant for IT project managers, and stands out for being vendor-neutral and not tied to a specific methodology. This makes it a flexible option that can apply to a variety of project types across industries.

The exam validates foundational project management skills, including Agile methodology, communication, resource coordination, and documentation. You have 90 minutes to answer no more than 90 multiple-choice questions [5]. The exam is available in English, Japanese, and Thai [2]. CompTIA recommends you have between six months and one year of experience working in an IT project management environment before taking the exam.

• Cost: $369 [2]

• Requirements: You need a score of at least 710 on the exam [2]. CompTIA also recommends that you have some experience in the field.

• How to prepare: You can purchase a bundle from CompTIA that includes the exam voucher and practice materials. The organization also has digital study guides available for purchase, as well as recommendations for training led by instructors.

3. Google Project Management Certificate

The Google Project Management Certificate is a beginner-friendly, fully online credential hosted on Coursera. If you have no previous project management experience and want to build essential skills you can use in entry-level roles, consider this certificate. You can earn the certificate in less than 6 months and do not have to pass an exam.

Developed by Google, this program covers key project management topics, such as project initiation, planning, execution, and risk management. You'll also have opportunities to work with tools commonly used in the workplace, including Google Sheets, Docs, and Slides. The certificate path also introduces you to Agile approaches and the use of AI in project management.

• Cost: $59 per month with a Coursera Plus subscription [3, 4]

• Requirements: None

• How to prepare: Sign up for a Coursera Plus subscription and complete the six courses in the program.

4. IBM Project Manager Professional Certificate

The IBM Project Manager Professional Certificate helps you build job-ready project management skills for entry-level roles. The program covers key project management topics, including project planning, execution, stakeholder communication, and Agile methodologies. It also gives you opportunities for hands-on practice and skill development.

You'll participate in hands-on projects that you can include in a portfolio to share with potential employers. The certificate also provides training in project management tools and includes guidance to help you prepare for the CAPM exam, if you choose to pursue that credential.

• Cost: $59 per month with a Coursera Plus subscription [4]

• Requirements: None

• How to prepare: Enroll through Coursera and complete the eight courses to earn the certificate.

How to decide the best project management credential for you

Choosing the right project management certificate depends on where you are in your career and what kind of work you want to do, as well as your timeline. Consider the following questions:

• What kind of career do you want to build?

• Which industries or roles interest you most?

• How much structure and support do you want while learning?

• Are you planning to pursue an advanced credential?

If you're just starting out and have no experience in a project management role, the Google Project Management Certificate and the IBM Project Manager Professional Certificate are strong choices. Both are beginner-friendly, fully online, and require no previous experience. Google's program places an emphasis on Agile and Scrum, while IBM includes a course dedicated to CAPM exam preparation.

If you have some experience in project management, you may meet the eligibility requirements for the CAPM certification. It's a good fit if your goals include earning the PMP credential. You might also consider the CompTIA Project+ certificate if you're already working in an IT team role or prefer a vendor-neutral credential that's not tied to a specific methodology.

AI disruption for project managers

Project managers may be at risk of AI disruption [2]. However, those that know how to work with AI tooling to increase efficiency and reduce risk can stay competitive. For common project management platforms, like Monday.com and Asana, investigate the AI features available to use. By shifting project tracking, scheduling, and documentation to AI, project managers can shift their time from manual administration to high-value strategic leadership and team alignment.

Explore bite-sized ideas for meaningful career growth

As you pursue your career in project management, subscribe to our LinkedIn newsletter Career Chat to stay up-to-date with the latest career advice and trends. Then, check out these resources to help you get started:

• Build your knowledge: Project Management Glossary

• Watch on YouTube: 10 Leadership Questions Every Candidate Should Be Ready For

• Prepare for change: How to Make a Career Change to Project Management

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