6 IT Project Management Certifications

Key takeaways

• IT project managers need technical skills to lead complex technology implementations, software development lifecycles, and digital transformation initiatives.

• Earning a certification in IT project management (sometimes referred to as technical project management) can be a valuable way to verify your knowledge and experience while adding a respected credential to your resume.

• IT project management certifications can lead to higher-paying positions, increased responsibility, and greater career mobility over time.

Explore different IT project management certifications across a range of areas. Afterward, consider enrolling in the IBM IT Project Manager Professional Certificate to build career knowledge and skills.

6 IT project management certifications to consider

There are numerous project management certifications available to explore that will validate your general approach to this work. However, as you move into IT project management, there are different certifications designed to validate your technical expertise and knowledge of different IT project management methodologies.

Let's review six of the more popular options.

1. CompTIA Project+

The CompTIA Project+ certification is designed to benefit IT professionals who want to enhance their communication, leadership, and documentation skills. In this program, you’ll have the opportunity to learn how to effectively manage smaller IT projects when faced with time restrictions, scheduling limitations, and a project budget.

To earn this certification, you’ll complete an assessment with approximately 90 questions, where you must earn a score of 710 or higher out of a possible 900. The CompTIA Project+ certification does not require renewal once completed.

• Requirements: Up to a year of IT management experience

• Cost: $390 (exam price) [1]

2. PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)

PMI offers the Agile Certified Practitioner certification (PMI-ACP) for project management professionals looking to advance their Agile methodologies and enhance their workplace’s collaborative techniques. 

Earn your certification by signing up for and completing an assessment, which consists of 120 questions for you to complete over the course of 180 minutes. To uphold your PMI-ACP credential, you must report 30 professional development units every three years.

• Requirements: 2 or more years of experience within the last five years; secondary degree; 28 hours of training in Agile practices, frameworks, and methodologies

• Cost: $435 for members, $495 for non-members [2]

3. Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)

The Scrum Alliance offers the Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) certification for project management professionals seeking to deepen their understanding of Agile and Scrum principles. Once you’ve completed this course, you may move on to the Advanced Certified ScrumMaster and Certified Scrum Professional certification programs.

Project management individuals interested in a career in Scrum or as a Scrum Master may benefit from this certification program, which intends to equip you with skills such as communication, leadership, and conflict resolution. Once you’ve completed the 16 hours of course materials, you can complete your assessment of 50 multiple-choice questions. You’ll need to answer 37 of those questions correctly to pass the exam.

• Requirements: No prerequisites 

• Cost: Pricing varies by course, typically between $250 and $2,495 [3]

4. PSM I

Passing the assessment to earn the PSM I certification from Scrum.org shows that you have foundational knowledge of Scrum practices and how to apply them effectively in real-world scenarios. In this program, you'll have the opportunity to learn core Scrum principles, the roles and responsibilities of a Scrum Master, and how to facilitate successful Scrum events while removing impediments for development teams.

To earn this certification, you'll complete an online assessment with 80 questions, where you must earn a score of 85% or higher within a 60-minute time limit. This is a lifetime certification, meaning you don't need to renew it.

• Requirements: Attending a Professional Scrum Master training course is encouraged but not required

• Cost: $200 USD per attempt [4]

5. ITIL 4 Foundation

The ITIL 4 Foundation certification is designed to benefit IT professionals who want to understand modern IT service management practices and digital transformation strategies. In this program, you'll have the opportunity to learn the ITIL 4 service value system, four dimensions of service management, and how to create value through IT services while adopting DevOps and Agile practices.

To earn this certification, you'll complete an assessment with 40 multiple-choice questions, where you must earn a score of 65% or higher within a 60-minute time limit. The ITIL 4 Foundation certification does not require renewal once completed.

• Requirements:

• Cost: $669 USD for basic exam prep and exam voucher [5]

6. AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner

The AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner certification is designed to benefit professionals who want to validate their overall understanding of the Amazon Web Services cloud platform and basic cloud concepts. In this program, you'll have the opportunity to learn AWS core services, security best practices, pricing models, and how to identify appropriate AWS solutions for common business requirements.

To earn this certification, you'll complete an assessment with 65 questions, where you must earn a score of 700 or higher out of a possible 1,000 within 90 minutes. The AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner certification requires renewal every three years through recertification or earning a higher-level AWS certification.

• Requirements: No prerequisites

• Cost: $100 USD [6]

How to get an IT project management certification

Regardless of the certification you choose to pursue, it is essential to prepare for your assessment by studying and taking additional steps. Follow the guidance below.

1. Choose your certification.

IT project management certifications can range from foundational to those covering more specific areas of expertise. It’s important to review various options before deciding which ones are right for your professional career path.

Gather information: Ask other professionals in your network about the certifications they've obtained and why. Or research different roles you'd like to pursue and see if the job postings recommend any certifications.

2. Meet prerequisites.

Each certification may have specific requirements you need to meet before taking the exam (although some have no requirements). Check the requirements to ensure you meet the prerequisites, or set professional goals to meet those requirements so you can take the certification exam at a future point.

3. Take prep courses and create a study plan.

You can find courses to better prepare for these certification exams often through the organization offering the assessment or third-party companies. Depending on your knowledge and experience, it may be useful to enroll in a prep course.

You can also create a study plan to help you prepare for a certification exam. Remember to take into account time to do homework, study, or take practice exams, especially if you’re trying to balance preparing for an exam with professional responsibilities.

4. Schedule your exam.

You can schedule an exam through the certification provider. Ensure you are familiar with the exam details before confirming. Exams are offered in person or online, depending on the provider, so you can review your options and choose the one that is right for you. You’ll also want to know the testing locations if you go in person for the exam.

Benefits of earning an IT project management certification

Earning your IT project management certification may lead to many professional benefits, such as gaining specific project management skills and ideologies like Agile and Scrum and increasing your earning potential. Explore additional benefits of earning an IT project management certification:

• Knowledge of Agile and Scrum: Enhancing your understanding of project management techniques, such as Scrum, can help you build more productive and efficient teams. Additionally, Scrum is part of the Agile methodology, a principle covered in many project management certifications that enhances team collaboration on large-scale projects.

• Opportunity to earn more: Earning your certification may lead to a more competitive salary as you add a project management credential to your name and resume. According to the Project Management Institute, a survey found that those with a project management certification averaged a 33 percent higher annual salary [7].

• Potential to advance: PMI reports that 84 percent of Agile Certified Practitioner certification holders earned recognition for career advancement, and 86 percent qualified for new opportunities [8]. 

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