8 PMI Certifications For Project Managers in 2023
The demand for project managers continues to grow, and so do certifications demonstrating a high level of expertise. This blog post examines the best project manager certifications for 2023. Let’s discuss the most in-demand certifications, the best-value certifications, and the certifications that are likely to help you land a job. First, let’s start with what does a Project Manager do?
A Project Manager is responsible for planning, coordinating, and overseeing organizational projects. The tasks include setting deadlines, establishing budgets, allocating resources, and monitoring and reporting progress. As a project manager, your responsibility is to ensure that a project is completed on time and within budget while meeting the organization’s quality standards. They must also manage risks and resolve conflicts that arise throughout the project.
What is a PMI Certification?
PMI certification is a professional certification awarded by the Project Management Institute (PMI) to individuals demonstrating competence in project management. The PMI certifications, which include Project Management Professional (PMP), Risk Management Professional (RMP), and Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM), are considered the most widely recognized and respected credentials for project managers.
The highly sought-after Project Management Professional (PMP) certification from the Project Management Institute (PMI) is the most well-known and sought-after certification.
Top Project Management Certifications List
1. Project Management Professional
As the world’s leading authority on project management, PMI developed PMP Certification to recognize project managers with the skills to lead projects successfully. Project managers who hold this certification are considered elite. Having this certification demonstrates your ability to lead a project in any way.
There are certain requirements and a 180-question exam to obtain PMP certification. Project managers developed the PMP exam to assess their peers’ abilities to apply their knowledge practically to project management. Consequently, each question is designed to evaluate the candidate’s ability to draw upon their experience to answer the question accurately.
Obtaining your PMP Certification is a significant undertaking, hence its high value. If you have practical project management experience, you have already completed the most challenging part. Before submitting your application, ensure that you fulfill one of the PMP Certification requirement sets:
- Four-Year Degree.
- 36 months of experience leading projects within the past eight years.
- 35 hours of project management education/training or CAPM® certification.
- High School Diploma or Associates Degree.
- 60 months of experience leading projects within the past eight years.
- 35 hours of project management education/training or CAPM® certification.
Cost:
- For Members: ₹21,933.00 ($268.45)
- For Non-Member: ₹30,042.00 ($367.69)
2. PMI Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA)
If you want to become a certified expert for your company, the PMI Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA) is the perfect way to showcase your skills. Working with stakeholders to define requirements, shape project outputs, and drive intended business outcomes will help you on your way to success.
The certification exam has 200 multiple-choice questions, and you have four hours to complete it. To keep your PMI-PBA up-to-date, you must accumulate 60 professional development units (PDUs) in business analysis topics every three years.
Prerequisites:
- Secondary degree (high school diploma, associate’s degree.
- 60 months of business analysis experience.
- 35 contact hours of education in business analysis.
OR
- Bachelor’s degree or the global equivalent.
- 36 months of business analysis experience.
- 35 contact hours of education in business analysis.
Cost:
- Member: ₹21,933.00 ($268.81)
- Non-Member: ₹30,042.00 ($368.19)
3. Program Management Professional (PgMP)
The PgMP is a certification for experienced professionals who can manage multiple projects to ensure program success. PgMP holders must be able to manage diverse tasks, organizations, locations, and cultures. You could be a viable candidate for a PgMP if you have demonstrated the capability of coordinating multiple projects across functions, organizations, regions, and cultures and coordinating their outcomes with the organization’s objectives.
To receive the PgMP, applicants must pass a panel review and a certification exam containing 170 multiple-choice questions related to building relationships with stakeholders and assessing existing or potential project risks. Moreover, you must earn 60 professional development units (PDUs), every three years, to maintain your PgMP.
Prerequisites:
- Secondary degree (high school diploma, associate’s degree, or the global equivalent).
- 48 months of project management experience or PMP.
- 84 months of program management experience within the last 15 years.
OR
- Four-year degree
- 48 months of project management experience or PMP.
- 48 months of program management experience within the last 15 years.
Cost:
- Member: ₹43,249.00 ($530)
- Non-Member: ₹54,061.00 ($662.57)
4. Portfolio Management Professional (PfMP)
Having a Portfolio Management Professional (PfMP) certification shows your expertise in managing multiple portfolios to reach set goals. Organizations with established project portfolio management processes are 35 percent more likely to finish their programs successfully. Certification involves a panel review and a multiple-choice test. Examiners must answer 170 multiple-choice questions on maintaining communication strategies and monitoring portfolio performance.
The PfMP is the right choice for executives and senior practitioners managing projects and programs aligned with organizational strategy and focused on doing what’s right.
Prerequisites:
- Applicants must have 96 months of professional business experience within the past 15 years.
- A secondary degree (a high school diploma, an associate’s degree, or the global equivalent).
- 84 months of portfolio management experience.
OR
- Applicants must have 96 months of professional business experience within the last 15 years.
- Four-year degree (bachelor’s degree or the global equivalent).
- 48 months of portfolio management experience.
Cost:
- Member: ₹43,249.00 ($530)
- Non-Member: ₹54,061.00 ($662.57)
5. PMI Risk Management Professional (PMI-RMP)
The PMI-RMP is a credential that demonstrates the proficiency of experienced professionals in risk management. Those with a PMI-RMP certification can demonstrate their ability to evaluate and mitigate potential risks associated with major or intricate projects.
This certification exam includes 115 questions available in person or online on topics such as analyzing risk process performance and educating stakeholders. Every three years, you must earn 30 professional development units (PDUs) in risk management topics to maintain your PMI-RMP certification.
If you possess specialized expertise in risk management or have experience managing project risk for large, intricate projects, the PMI-RMP is an optimal option for you.
Prerequisites:
- Secondary degree (high school diploma, associate’s degree, or the global equivalent).
- 36 months of Project Risk Management experience within the last 5 years.
- 40 hours of Project Risk Management Education.
OR
- Four-year degree (bachelor’s degree or the global equivalent).
- 24 months of Project Risk Management experience within the last 5 years.
- 30 hours of Project Risk Management Education.
Cost:
- Member: ₹28,112.00 ($344.53)
- Non-Member: ₹36,221.00 ($443.91)
6. PMI Scheduling Professional (PMI-SP)
An effective schedule can make all the difference in the success of a project. PMI-SP certification will attest to your ability to construct the most effective timetables for teams and projects in the modern world — covering global, virtual, and highly intricate scenarios. This certification is an excellent choice for you if you have advanced knowledge and experience managing project schedules and would like to showcase your skills.
The certification exam has 170 multiple-choice questions, and you have 3.5 hours to complete it. You must complete 30 professional development units (PDUs) on project scheduling every three years to keep your PMI-SP designation.
Prerequisites:
- Secondary degree
- 40 months of project scheduling experience within the last 5 years
- 40 hours of project scheduling education
OR
- Four-year degree
- 24 months of project scheduling experience within the last 5 years
- 30 hours of project scheduling education
Cost:
- Member: ₹28,112.00 ($344.53)
- Non-Member: ₹36,221.00 ($443.91)
7. PMI Project Management Ready
The PMI Project Management Ready certification is the latest opportunity for high school and post-secondary students to gain an introduction to the world of project management. This certification enables students to become knowledgeable about the project management industry and gain an advantage over their peers by connecting with a vibrant community of experts.
Prerequisites:
- Read at a seventh-grade level.
- Possess fundamental computer literacy.
- Be able to participate in training and take exams.
8. Construction Professional in Built Environment Projects (PMI-CP)
The PMI-CP certification is designed to certify construction and built environment professionals. It assesses expertise in contracts management, stakeholder management, strategy and scope management, and project governance.
The construction curriculum consists of 7 E-learning courses, of which three can be earned as micro-credentials and one capstone exam. You can take the exam after completing all 7 courses, earning the 3 related micro-credentials, and having 3 years of experience in construction/built environments. With 170 multiple-choice questions, the exam will last 230 minutes.
Prerequisites:
- 3+ years of experience in the construction/built environment field.
- 3-year cycle; 30 PDUs per cycle (Certification Maintenance Requirements)
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