The Project Management Institute (PMI)® provides and offers PMI Certifications for many type of career. These certifications will save as your guide on what career to choose from, as well as other certifications for the management-related field.
But first off: Why the need for a certification? Management-based jobs within an organization feel the need for applicants to obtain certifications that will help them determine if the former’s management skills and capabilities will live up to their expectations. Some organizations prefer applicants to have certifications attached on their resume, rather than who’s already experienced in the field of management.
Certification has since been then a go-to edge for aspiring managers and this has been made possible by PMI, a nonprofit organization that provides such management certification, as well as standards such as the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBoK® Guide) that includes the project management principles and best practices.
You will get perks of being a PMI member including discounts on certifications, a PMBoK® Guide, and digital standards.
If you want to amp up your management game, then PMI is the best place to do so. PMI and its affiliated organizations are responsible for assisting people with research, education, and other management-related opportunities. And there are more selections of management certifications to choose from.
PMI Certifications : Choosing the Right PMI Certification for Your Career
Below are the following PMI certifications to help you boost your career or skills or if you’re aspiring to climb to the top of the management ladder. Some management certifications have certain requirements so ensure that you have prepared one. All applicants must undergo an exam for all types of certifications.
Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)®
This is the PMI’s entry-level certification or inexperienced applicants who are up or a project management career. Obtaining the CAPM® certification shows that you comprehend the aspect of project management, its terms, as well as its procedures.
Requirements:
High school diploma or associate’s degree or equivalent, with project experience of 1,500 hours or a project management education of 23 hours.
Project Management Professional (PMP)®
The Project Management Professional (PMP)® certification is considered to be the most well-known and sought after PMI certifications globally. One of the benefits of the PMP® certification is an increase in salary and networking opportunities.
Requirements:
- High-school diploma or associate’s degree or equivalent
- Project management experience of 5 years, plus 7.500 hours leading or directing projects.
- Project management education of 35 hours
Or
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent
- Project management experience of 3 years, plus 4,500 hours leading or directing projects
- Project management education of 35 hours
Program Management Professional (PgMP)®
Next to the most coveted certification is the Program Management Professional (PgMP)®. This is for program managers who can tackle multiple projects at the same time, all the while achieving the required benefits.
Requirements:
- Highschool diploma or associate’s degree or equivalent
- 4 years of project management experience with 7 years of experience in program management
Or
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent
- 4 years of project management experience and 4 years of program management experience
- All experiences mentioned must be gained in a span of 15 years.
- Applicants must also pass their application indicating their experiences that are then reviewed by a panel.
Portfolio Management Professional (PfMP)®
The Portfolio Management Professional certification is for the working in the portfolio management, aligning and governing projects and programs with the the organizational objectives and business priorities.
Requirements:
- Highschool diploma or associate’s degree or equivalent
- 7 years of experience in portfolio management
Or
- Bachelor’s degree
- 4 years of experience in portfolio management
- All applicants must have business experience of at least 8 years
PMI – Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)®
This is for practitioners who are knowledgeable of the agile principle of project management, as well as strategies and tools.
Requirements:
- 2,000 hours of experience in project management
- 1,500 hours of agile experiences, with 21 hours training in agile principles
- The experiences in project team must be gained prior within 5 years, while agile-focused experiences must be gained in 3 years.
PMI Risk Management Professional (PMI-RMP)®
PMI-RMP® certification is ideal for candidates who plan, manage, analyze, and control project risk procedures and strategies.
Requirements:
- Highschool diploma or associate’s degree or equivalent
- Project risk experience, of 4,500 hours, with project risk management education of 40 hours
Or
- Bachelor’s degree
- Project experience of 3,000 hours, with project risk management education of 30 hours.
PMI Scheduling Professional (PMI-SP)®
This is for individuals who maintain projects schedules and ensure the project doesn’t run out of resources.
Requirements:
- Highschool diploma or associate’s degree
- 5,000 hours of scheduling projects and 40 hours of education in project scheduling
Or
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent
- 3,500 hours of project scheduling experience, with 30 hours of project scheduling education
PMI Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA)®
The PMI-PBA® certification serves as an aid to help close the project requirement gap that is often the major factor of project failure issues. Individuals obtaining this certification have all the elements needed in order ti implement projects and bring them towards success.
Requirements:
- Highschool diploma or associate’s degree or equivalent
- Business analysis experience of 7,500 hours, project team experience of 2,000 hours, and business analysis education of 35 hours
Or
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent
- Business analysis experience of 4,500 hours, project team experience of 2,000 hours, and business analysis education of 35 hours
Note: All experiences must be acquired within 8 years.
Renewing Your Certifications
Renewal of certificates is always available. CAPM® certification lasts up to 5 years, while the rest is a solid duration of 3 years. However, certificate holders must take another test to renew their CAPM® credential.
Maintenance requires earning 30 to 60 PDUs within a given period. PMI-ACP®, PMI-RMP®, and PMI-SP® certification require 30 PDUS and 60 for PMP®, PgMP®, PfMP® and PMI-PBA® certifications.
PMI Certification — Getting Ready for the Road Ahead
Certifications and Careers
More and more organizations are seeking employees who have certifications under their belt. As the business industry grows, so is the evolution of project and program management. And this also means the need for more prospective employees who are well-versed with the language shared within the hierarchy of management industry.
Individuals who obtain the entry-level certifications CAPM® or the darling of the crowd PMP® can start as project managers. You will also find working in PMI are coordinators, schedule managers, and directors in the field of project management.
PMI-ACP® certified individuals on the other hand often find themselves working as Scrum experts or agile project managers.
PgMP® and PfMP® professionals can be typically managing or implementing portfolio and program strategies. Regardless of what type of certification you have obtained, you will have a wide array of multiple project or program-based careers to choose from.
PMI, CAPM, PMP, PgMP, PfMP, PMI-RMP, PMI-ACP, PMI-PBA and PMBok are registered trademarks of the Project Management Institute, Inc.