Best Project Management Certifications

What to know about project management roles and certification

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.

Best project management certifications

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.

Project Management Professional (PMP)

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: 

• Manage budgets
• Track costs
• Manage scope creep
• Identify how changes to the triple constraints may introduce risk to the project
• Minimize risks to protect the project investment

PMP certification standards are rigorous and include the following: 

• Skills and education: Credential holders must demonstrate and certify that they have the skills and education necessary to succeed in the project management field.
• Documentation: Credential seekers should be ready to provide documentation of their education, previous projects and training courses. 
• Eligibility ID: Candidates must obtain an eligibility ID from PMI before they can register for the exam. 
• Exam: Once eligible candidates receive their ID, they have one year and three attempts to pass a comprehensive 180-question exam. 

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:

• Program Management Professional (PgMP): The PgMP credential targets professionals who manage multiple projects on an organizational level.
• Portfolio Management Professional (PfMP): The PfMP credential targets professionals who manage organizational project portfolios.
• PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP): The PMI-ACP credential targets project management professionals who work with the Agile project management methodology.
• PMI Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA): The PMI-PBA credential focuses on business analysis and the ability to define stakeholder requirements, project scope and business solution outcomes.
• PMI Risk Management Professional (PMI-RMP): The PMI-RMP credential is a specialized credential that focuses on risk assessment, identification and mitigation.
• PMI Scheduling Professional (PMI-SP): The PMI-SP credential is for project managers charged with developing and maintaining project schedules.

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:

Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)

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:

• A high school diploma (or GED or global equivalent)
• 23 hours of project management classroom training 
• The CAPM exam 

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:

Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)

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.

• Scrum master track: Certified ScrumMaster (CSM), Advanced Certified ScrumMaster (A-CSM) and Certified Scrum Professional-Scrum Master (CSP-SM)
• Product owner track: Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO), Advanced Certified Scrum Product Owner (A-CSPO) and Certified Scrum Professional-Product Owner (CSP-PO)
• Developer track: Certified Scrum Developer (CSD), Advanced Certified Scrum Developer (A-CSD) and Certified Scrum Professional for Developers (CSP-D)
• Guide-level certifications: Certified Scrum Trainer (CST), Certified Team Coach (CTC) and Certified Enterprise Coach (CEC)
• Agile leadership: Certified Agile Leadership (CAL), a credential based on a combination of education and validated practice 
• Agile coaching: Agile Coaching Skills-Certified Facilitator (ACS-CF), which supports groups as they collaborate, create and make decisions.

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:

Certified Six Sigma Black Belt (CSSBB)

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: 

• Certified Six Sigma Black Belt (CSSBB) (expert level)
• Certified Six Sigma Green Belt (CSSGB) (professional level) 
• Certified Six Sigma Yellow Belt (CSSYB) (entry-level)

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: 

• Pass a comprehensive exam
• Complete two projects employing Six Sigma tools and processes, resulting in project improvement and a positive financial impact
• Submit an affidavit to attest to the project’s veracity 

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:

• Organization-wide Planning and Deployment (organization-wide considerations, leadership)
• Organization Process Management and Measures (impact on stakeholders, benchmarking, business measures)
• Team Management (team formation, facilitation, dynamics, training)
• Define (voice of the customer, business case and project charter, project management tools, analytical tools)
• Measure (process characteristics, data collection, measurement systems, basic statistics, probability, process capability)
• Analyze (measuring and modeling relationships between variables, hypothesis testing, risk analysis and management, other analysis methods)
• Improve (design of experiments, Lean methods, implementation)
• Control (statistical process control and other controls, maintain controls, sustain improvements)
• Design for Six Sigma (DFSS) Framework and Methodologies (common DFSS methodologies, design for DFX)

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:

Certified Six Sigma Green Belt (CSSGB)

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: 

• They must have at least three years of experience working with Six Sigma processes, systems and tools.
• The work experience must have been full-time and compensated. (An unpaid internship, for example, doesn’t count.)
• The work performed must have been in at least one of the Six Sigma Green Belt Body of Knowledge competency areas.
• Candidates must pass an exam that tests their knowledge of the Six Sigma Green Belt Body of Knowledge. 

Currently, the Green Belt Body of Knowledge includes six competency areas:

• Overview: Six Sigma and the Organization (organizational goals, Lean principles, design for six sigma methodologies)
• Define Phase (project identification, voice of the customer, project management basics, management and planning tools, business results for projects, team dynamics and performance)
• Measure Phase (process analysis and documentation, probability and statistics, statistical distributions, collecting and summarizing data, measurement system analysis, process and performance capability)
• Analyze Phase (exploratory data analysis, hypothesis testing, additional analysis methods)
• Improve Phase (design of experiments, implementation planning, Lean tools)
• Control Phase (statistical process control, sustain improvements, Lean tools for process control)

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:

Beyond the top 5: More project management certifications

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:

• GAQM project management certifications: An honorable mention goes to the Global Association for Quality Management (GAQM) project management certifications, such as the Professional in Project Management, Associate in Project Management, and Certified Project Director. 
• Prince2 Foundation and Practitioner qualifications: The Prince2 Foundation and Practitioner qualifications are also excellent credentials.
• The CompTIA Project+ credential: The CompTIA Project+ credential remains a well-known entry-level project management certification for those starting their project management careers. 
• ASQ’s Certified Six Sigma Yellow Belt: ASQ’s Certified Six Sigma Yellow Belt (CSSYB) is another entry-level credential worth exploring, particularly if you’re interested in moving up to the more senior Green and Black Belt credentials.
• Other certification programs: Most graduate business, management, and management information systems programs offer project management training to students; some offer certificate programs outside the project management organizations.
• Additional training and resources: You’ll also find training and occasional certification around various project management tools. For example, some Microsoft Learning Partners offer courses on Microsoft Project, and you can find a multitude of project management packages on Wikipedia’s comparison of project management software page.

Job board survey results (in alphabetical order by certification)

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. 

Boost your career with project management certification

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.