Project Management Certifications, Compared

Every guide is built from the issuer's official pages and shows the date we last checked them. Official requirement means it comes from the issuing body. Our recommendation is PM Exam Lab's advice. We never guess at fees: if an issuer doesn't publish a price, we say so and link to where you can check it.

• PMI · Experienced

  Project Management Professional (PMP)

  PMI's flagship credential for experienced project managers. Eligibility, the July 2026 exam format, renewal rules and what changed, linked to PMI's official pages.

  180 questions · 240 min · 60 PDUs / 3 years

  Read the PMP guide →

• PMI · Entry level

  Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)

  PMI's entry-level credential. Who it suits, the 23-hour education requirement, the 150-question exam and renewal, from PMI's official pages.

  150 questions · 180 min · 15 PDUs / 3 years

  Read the CAPM guide →

• PMI · Practitioner

  PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)

  PMI's agile credential: eligibility routes, the four-domain exam launched in November 2024, renewal, and the training-hours question to check with PMI.

  120 questions · 180 min · 30 PDUs / 3 years

  Read the PMI-ACP guide →

• PMI · Senior

  Program Management Professional (PgMP)

  PMI's program management credential: experience requirements by education level, the panel review, the 170-question exam and renewal.

  170 questions · 240 min · 60 PDUs / 3 years

  Read the PgMP guide →

• PMI · Executive

  Portfolio Management Professional (PfMP)

  PMI's portfolio management credential for senior leaders: experience requirements, panel review, exam format and renewal.

  170 questions · 240 min · 60 PDUs / 3 years

  Read the PfMP guide →

• PeopleCert · Foundation to practitioner

  PRINCE2 7 Foundation and Practitioner

  The PRINCE2 7 Foundation and Practitioner exams, prerequisites, PeopleCert's published bundle prices, renewal, and how PRINCE2 compares with the PMP.

  Foundation: 60 Q · 60 min · Every 3 years (60 CPD)

  Read the PRINCE2 guide →

• Scrum.org / Scrum Alliance · Entry to practitioner

  Scrum Master certifications: PSM I and CSM

  PSM I and CSM compared: exam format, pass marks, costs, renewal, and which one fits you, from Scrum.org and Scrum Alliance.

  PSM I: 80 Q · 60 min · PSM I lifetime · CSM 2 years

  Read the Scrum Master guide →

Which certification fits you? (our recommendation)

1. New to projects or still studying: start with the CAPM, or PRINCE2 Foundation if your market prefers PRINCE2.
2. Three or more years leading projects: the PMP is the broadest, most widely requested credential.
3. Working on agile teams: PMI-ACP for an experience-based agile credential, or PSM I or CSM for a Scrum Master role.
4. Leading programs or portfolios: PgMP or PfMP, both with a PMI panel review.

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