Project management certifications claim a place in every top IT certification list because project managers are essential to IT operations. Whether you’re interested in becoming an IT project manager or want to add project management to your skills list, the following certifications will help you boost your skills and increase your value.
Project management software organizes and streamlines business operations. Choosing the right project management software can help you track assignments, meet deadlines and remain on budget.
Next to top-level IT certifications, project management certifications are among the most sought-after tech credentials. Project management certifications enhance and expand other IT qualifications and add to a professional’s skill set.
Project management involves planning, scheduling, budgeting, executing and reporting on various projects. In the IT realm, events such as hardware and operating system upgrades, platform migrations, security patches, software updates and maintenance tasks are considered “projects,” so project management is incredibly important.
According to staffing firm Robert Half’s 2023 Salary Guide, project managers in the U.S. earn, on average, $119,000 annually; salaries reach almost $200,000 for top earners. Scrum masters earn around $112,000 nationally, and top earners can make over $180,000. Robert Half places Agile and Scrum in the top five in-demand technology methodologies, so earning a top-level certification is a surefire way to become a sought-after and well-paid project manager.
More IT professionals are seeking project management certifications these days. Various evergreen IT certifications cover different areas and skills, but all of them can help you navigate your career path and increase your earning potential. Here are several to consider.
The Project Management Institute (PMI) stands firmly behind its PMP certification. The organization works with academia and training companies to ensure proper coverage and currency in the curricula supporting the PMP and other PMI credentials. With more than 1.2 million PMP-certified professionals globally, PMI’s PMP remains among the most prestigious project management credentials.
You can obtain college- and university-based PMP training from many institutions. You may also find PMP coverage integrated into specific degree programs (often at the master’s level).
The PMP credential is coveted by employers seeking the most highly skilled project management professionals. It is designed to ensure credential holders possess the skills and qualifications to successfully manage all project phases, including initiating, planning, scheduling, controlling and monitoring, and closing projects.
PMP-certified project managers are well versed and skilled in managing all aspects of the triple constraints: time, cost and scope. Employers depend on PMP professionals to do the following:
PMP certification standards are rigorous and include the following:
While the certification is difficult to achieve, PMP credential holders enjoy significant rewards. PMI’s salary survey revealed that PMPs in the U.S. earn an average of 32 percent more than their non-credentialed counterparts. In the U.S., PMPs earn a median annual salary of $123,000, compared with $93,000 for non-PMP-certified project managers. Additionally, PMP credential holders can earn significantly more depending on a project’s size and complexity, as well as their experience and expertise.
For those who are interested in program management or who wish to specialize in a project management area, PMI offers several interesting additional credentials:
The PMP credential remains a nonpareil certification for IT and other professionals whose responsibilities encompass project management. It is the standard against which all other project management credentials are judged.
PMP facts and figures:
Certification name | Project Management Professional (PMP) |
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Prerequisites and required courses |
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Note: Credential holders must earn 60 professional development units (PDUs) per three-year cycle to maintain their certification. |
Number of exams | One (180 questions, five unscored; 230 minutes to complete) |
Cost per exam | Online and in-person (administered by Pearson VUE) computer-based exams:
Note: Eligibility ID from PMI is required to register. |
URL | |
Self-study materials | PMI maintains a list of training resources on the PMP exam guidance webpage, including these: Additional training materials (quizzes, publications, books, practice guides and more) are available from the PMI Store. Numerous books are available, including these: |
PMP certification is also recommended for anyone who aspires to become an enterprise IT architect.
PMI also backs the Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) credential. In fact, the CAPM is considered a stepping stone for those who wish to attain PMP status. PMI describes the CAPM as an “essential first step in building a career as a project manager” but also a step that “opens the door to opportunities at every stage of your career.”
The CAPM requires the following:
No previous experience is required. The education prerequisite can be met by completing PMI’s Project Management Basics online course, which costs $350 for PMI members and $400 for nonmembers.
The CAPM is one of a small set of entry-level certifications for IT professionals who are interested in project management. However, it’s just a stepping stone to the PMP credential. Unless you work in a large organization with a project management team comprising junior and senior positions, the CAPM alone is unlikely to provide a ticket to a project management job. However, it’s ideal for IT professionals for whom project management is a part-time role or for those who want to grow into full-time project management.
PMI issued its newest CAPM exam in July 2023, so some older study materials might not be complete. For additional information about the newest exam format, visit PMI’s CAPM Exam Update page.
CAPM facts and figures:
Certification name | Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) |
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Prerequisites and required courses |
Note: Credential holders must earn 15 PDUs per three-year cycle to maintain certification. |
Number of exams | One (150 questions, 15 unscored; three hours to complete) |
Cost per exam | Online and in-person (administered by Pearson VUE) computer-based exams:
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URL | www.pmi.org/Certification/Certified-Associate-in-Project-Management-CAPM.aspx |
Self-study materials | PMI maintains online self-study materials, including the following: Numerous books are available, including these:
Note: 2023 CAPM Mock Practice Tests are available from Udemy. |
If you want to start building project management skills but aren’t ready to invest in an entry-level certification course, consider exploring free project management training materials.
Although different Scrum master certifications are available, our pick is the Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) from Scrum Alliance. This nonprofit encourages the adoption of Scrum and Agile practices, promotes user groups and learning events, and provides resources for professional development. The organization boasts more than 1.4 million certified practitioners worldwide.
The Scrum Alliance provides a support system for Scrum practitioners, including Scrum gatherings, professional development and retreats, user groups, virtual communications, coaching, online training and much more.
In addition to community and advocacy activities, the Scrum Alliance offers numerous Scrum-related certifications. The certifications are designed for team members on the Scrum master, product owner and developer tracks. Each track offers credentials at the foundational, advanced and professional levels. Certification is also available for Agile leadership and guide levels.
The CSM is an excellent entry-level credential for project managers who are getting started as Scrum practitioners. Candidates must demonstrate an understanding of Scrum principles and values and will learn how to implement and apply Scrum in practice. The Scrum Alliance provides CSMs with resources, checklists and information about the Scrum master’s servant-leader role.
Certified ScrumMaster facts and figures:
Certification name | Certified ScrumMaster |
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Prerequisites and required courses |
Note: Certification must be renewed every two years by earning 20 Scrum education units (and paying $100 for foundational-level certifications). |
Number of exams | One (37 correct answers out of 50 questions required to pass; 60-minute time limit) |
Cost per exam | Fees for online tests paid by the training provider |
URL | https://www.scrumalliance.org/certifications/practitioners/certified-scrummaster-csm |
Self-study materials | Scrum Alliance offers blogs, articles, reports, online learning, suggested reading and presentations online, including these: Note: Udemy offers practice tests designed to help test takers pass the CSM certification exam on their first attempt. |
The American Society for Quality (ASQ) issues globally recognized certifications that attest to a candidate’s expertise, mastery of industry and regulation standards, and mastery of the ASQ Body of Knowledge. ASQ offers 18 credentials, three of which specifically target project management:
The Certified Six Sigma Black Belt is ASQ’s highest Six Sigma credential. The CSSBB is for experienced practitioners who understand Six Sigma methodologies (including the DMAIC model), tools, systems and philosophies. CSSBBs can lead teams or manage team dynamics, roles and responsibilities.
The path to CSSBB certification is rigorous. Candidates must do the following:
Alternatively, candidates with at least three years of experience in one or more of the Six Sigma Body of Knowledge areas need to complete only one Black Belt project.
CSSBB candidates are expected to demonstrate mastery of these ASQ Black Belt Body of Knowledge, called standards:
The CSSBB credential is valid for three years. To recertify, candidates must earn 18 recertification units (RUs) or retake the exam. Recertification by RUs costs $90 for ASQ members and $130 for nonmembers.
CSSBB facts and figures:
Certification name | Certified Six Sigma Black Belt (CSSBB) |
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Prerequisites and required courses |
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Number of exams | One computer-based or paper-based exam:
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Cost per exam |
(Exams administered by Prometric) |
URL | |
Self-study materials | ASQ maintains a comprehensive list of exam prep materials, including the following:
Note: Udemy offers a course called Six Sigma: Certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Accredited. |
Certified Six Sigma Green Belt (CSSGB) is ASQ’s professional-level credential targeting experienced Six Sigma practitioners. Often, a CSSGB works under the direction of the more senior CSSBB or as an assistant. CSSGBs identify issues and drive quality and process improvements in projects.
To earn the credential, candidates must meet the following requirements:
Currently, the Green Belt Body of Knowledge includes six competency areas:
Overall, this is an excellent credential for those who have some experience but who are not quite ready to take on the roles and responsibilities of a Black Belt.
CSSGB facts and figures:
Certification name | Certified Six Sigma Green Belt (CSSGB) |
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Prerequisites and required courses |
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Number of exams | One computer-based or paper-based exam:
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Cost per exam |
(Exams administered by Prometric) |
URL | |
Self-study materials | ASQ maintains a comprehensive list of exam prep materials, including the following:
Note: Udemy offers a course called Six Sigma: Certified Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Accredited. |
Project resource management is an element of overall project management. It aims to maximize resources to avoid resource shortages and excess resources.
Project management is a hot area for certification seekers and employers. Several other project management certifications are available for general IT project management and software development project management:
There are many project management styles to consider, including Waterfall, Agile, Scrum, Kanban, Lean, and Six Sigma.
We conducted a quick job board survey to give you an idea of which project management credentials employers look for in prospective candidates. Clearly, the PMP is the overall favorite and remains our No. 1 pick for project management certification. PMI’s entry-level project management credential, the CAPM, also made our top five. The CSM from Scrum Alliance, along with ASQ’s Certified Six Sigma Black Belt and Green Belt credentials, round out those picks.
Regardless of the credential, project management job opportunities are increasing. According to the 2021 PMI Talent Gap report, 2.3 million new project management positions will need to be filled each year until 2030.
Certification | Total | ||||
CAPM (Project Management Institute) | 955 | 1,161 | 1,336 | 489 | 3,941 |
CSM (Scrum Alliance) | 2,462 | 3,223 | 2,807 | 4,900 | 13,392 |
CSSBB (ASQ) | 1,377 | 1,758 | 3,043 | 2,208 | 8,386 |
CSSGB (ASQ) | 2,656 | 3,530 | 3,642 | 2,034 | 11,862 |
PMP (Project Management Institute) | 16,089 | 24,205 | 39,754 | 11,810 | 91,858 |
The demand for project managers is booming. Regardless of your IT project management experience, getting the right certifications can help you build the skills to land a project management job and earn more.
While the PMP is the best-known and most highly sought-after credential, the right certification depends on your experience, industry and ideal job. Our guide to the top project management certifications is an excellent start to your certification process, but you should also check out relevant job listings to see what employers are seeking. To take your project management career to the next level, start the process of earning one of these top certifications today.
Ed Tittel and Mary Kyle contributed to this article.