When you’re an IT, you can consider that everything you do is simple small projects. From spam filtering and virus scanning to software and hardware upgrades, from ongoing security patches to developing new applications. You already have so many certifications that it’s sometimes hard to understand why you need one more. However, a project management certification may be just what you need to take a step further in your career. This will show your employer that you are able to deal with scheduling, planning, budgeting, delivering, executing, and reporting all IT initiatives. So, you ca look at a project management certification as a way to boost not only your resume but your entire career as well.

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But how can you choose the best project management certification? There are a lot of different certifications to choose from. So, we got ahead of you and we’re going to show you only the top 11 project management certifications for you to choose. Make sure to read each one carefully to determine which one you prefer:

#1: PMP – Project Management Professional

When you’re looking for the best project management certification, you shouldn’t look any further. The PMP is accredited by the PMI – Project Management Institute, one of the most notable institutes in the world.

The PMP test covers everything you need to know in both skills and knowledge concerning time, scope and cost.

To apply to this demanding certification, you have certain prerequisites. You need to have a secondary degree, 35 hours of project management education and 7,500 hours directing and leading projects or you need to have a four-year degree, 35 hours of project management education and 4,500 hours directing and leading projects.

In order to get your project management certification, you’ll need to complete a 200 multiple-choice questions exam that lasts four hours. You’ll need to pay $405 if you’re a PMI Member and $555 if you’re not a PMI Member.

#2: CAPM – Certified Associate In Project Management

When you don’t have all the prerequisites to get the Project Management Professional certification, the CAPM (Certified Associate In Project Management) is your best choice. It’s important to mention, though, that there are people who comply with all the prerequisites but prefer to take smaller steps. So, they just start with the CAPM. Whichever your case is, you need to know that this is another certification that is accredited by the Project Management Institute (PMI) which means that you’ll be working with the best.

The CAPM is a great choice when you’re looking to manage larger projects or when you simply want to add more skills to the projects you’re already managing.

Just like the PMP, the CAPM also has some prerequisites. You need to have your secondary degree and at least 1,500 hours of project experience, or you need to have at least 23 hours of project management education.

The cost of the CAPM, when compared to the PMP, is substantially lower. PMI Members pay $225, and Non-Members pay $300.

In order to get your certification, you’ll need to complete a 150 multiple-choice exam in 3 hours.

#3: CompTIA Project+

Unlike many project management certifications that tend to target only IT technicians, in the case of the CompTIA Project+ you can get the certification even if you’re not in the IT field. The training is designed for every individual who wants to learn about project management.

Many people tend to compare the CompTIA Project+ with the CAPM from PMI. Since they’re both an entry-level certification, they are very similar. However, one thing that sets them apart is the prerequisites.

When you’re looking for the CompTIA Project+ certification, you only need to have 1 year of experience either directing, managing or participating in small to medium size projects.

One of the main differences between the CompTIA Project+ is that they’re constantly looking for ways to have the best certification. So, they simply ask for feedback to research institutions, the computing industry, academia, government representatives, and even independent experts. They are the ones that help the certification to be designed. This way, you can be sure that you’ll learn all about the latest trends with this certification. Just to give you an example, they’re trying a new exam now that is still in beta to replace the older one. It will have more questions and you’ll have more time to complete it as well.

You can get the CompTIA Project+ certification for $285.

#4: MPM – Master Project Manager

The Master Project Master certification is granted by the AAPM – American Academy of Project Management. They have been using the professional licensure models from doctors, pilots, lawyers, and engineers and adopt the same strategy on this project management certification.

When you’re looking to get a Master Project Certification from the AAPM, you’ll need to comply with some prerequisites. You need to have at least 3 years of both experience and training in project management. There may be some differences depending on whether you have a master’s degree, if you’re a project management instructor or if you’re a military.

You will need to pay $300 to submit your application, so it can be reviewed, processed, and to begin and complete the certification.

#5: CPM – Certified Project Manager

Despite the Certified Project Manager (CPM) certification is international and recognized globally, it’s most know in the Pacific Rim region.

When you’re looking to add or improve your skills regarding information technology, finance, marketing management, communications, human resource management, integration, quality management, or risk and issue management, this is, without any doubt, the right certification for you.

Just like all the previous certifications, the CPM also has some prerequisites. You need to have at least a bachelor’s degree or you need to be a certified project professional certification and at least 4 years of experience in program or project management, and a minimum of 36 hours of program management training.

In order to get your certification, you’ll need to pass the CPM exam. The cost of the CPM is $370.

#6: PMITS – Project Management in IT Security

The Project Management in IT Security certification allows you to reinforce your project management capabilities with the main focus on security. The PMITS is accredited by the EC-Council, a company created after the September 11, 2001 attacks in the United States. The founders noticed how fragile we all were and started offering different certifications regarding cyber security.

Just like each one of the prior certifications above, you also need to fill some prerequisites. You need to have at least 2 years of experience in information security besides an educational background about security. Usually, they tend to prefer candidates who have a bachelor’s degree or higher.

You’ll need to pay $250 for the certification and you’ll need to pass the exam.

#7: APM – Associate in Project Management

If you have no experience regarding project management and you’re willing to learn more about it, the Associate Project Management certification may be the best choice for you. This certification is accredited by the GAQM – Global Association For Quality Management, which is a non-profit organization. The goal of this certification is to give you the basic knowledge you need to become a project manager in the future.

Since this is where you need to start if you noticed you want to add one more skill to your resume, there are no experience requirements or formal education background.

In order to get the Associate in Project Management certification, you’ll need to pay $300.

#8: PPM – Professional in Project Management

The Professional in Project Management is another certification that is accredited by the GAQM. This certification targets more experienced Project Managers who are already involved in crisis and risk management, and that they spend their day managing projects. So, unlike the APM, the PPM already has some prerequisites if you want to get your certification. Despite you don’t need any specific formal educational on the subject, you need to have some previous experience as a project manager.

The PPM certification costs $300 and you’ll need to pass the exam to get it.

#9: Certified Project Director

If you already have a lot of experience as a project manager and you simply want a certification to show your employers what you can do so well, you should consider the Certified Project Director certification. This is the highest level of certification that the GAQM offers you.

You will learn how to better manage, budget, and determine the scope for multiple projects at the same time, working with different teams, and learning how to deal and solve any problems that might arise between different projects. Candidates need to have an extensive previous experience as project managers and they are required to have the PPM certification or one equivalent.

You’ll need to pay $300 for this certification.

#10: CSM – Certified ScrumMaster

You probably already hear about Agile and how this methodology can help businesses to build quality products as well as to streamline processes. The truth is more and more companies are adopting Agile and if you work for one of this companies, you should consider getting the Certified ScrumMaster certification.

The CSM is accredited by the ScrumAlliance, a non-profit organization, which already has more than 450,000 certified persons all over the world. 

When you’re looking to start as a project manager with Scrum, the CSM is a great entry level. The only thing you are required is to have some knowledge regarding the Scrum.

Depending on your training provider, you can expect to pay between $995 and $1,395 for the certification and you’ll need to pass the exam, where you’ll need to answer correctly to 24 out of the 35 questions. 

#11: PRINCE2 Foundation and Practioner Qualifications

PRINCE2 stands for PRojects IN Controlled Environments and is well-known overseas, especially in the United Kingdom. If you’re looking to have a career as a project manager internationally, the PRINCE2 might be your best choice.

With the PRINCE2, you’ll be mainly focusing on three important areas – managing, directing, and  delivering projects.

The PRINCE2 offers you two different certifications – the PRINCE2 Practitioner and the PRINCE2 Foundation. The PRINCE2 Foundation is more suited for entry-level project managers while the PRINCE2 Practioner is a more advanced certification and in order to get it, you need to have the Foundation certification first or any other similar.

If you’re looking for the PRINCE2 Foundation, you’ll need to pay $200 and pass the exam. When looking at the PRINCE2 Practioner, you’ll need to pay $340 and you’ll have to pass the exam that takes 150 minutes to get your certification.

As you can see, there are many different project management certifications to choose from. You need to look at the requirements, your budget, to what you want to do now and in the future and make the best choice for you. If you still have any questions, you can learn more about lean manufacturing and six sigma certifications here.

Here are the direct links for each one of the11 project management certifications you can get:

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