The Best Certifications for Project Managers

A project manager (PM) is someone who oversees and manages projects from inception to their completion. PMs have plenty of hard skills, like budgeting, documentation, and project tracking, but many of the most important project management skills are soft skills, like communication, expectation management, adaptability, and conflict management.

Demonstrating these skills in interviews can be challenging. One of the best ways to showcase your abilities as a PM is through certifications.

So, what are the best certifications for project managers? Keep reading to discover entry-level, mid-level, and senior-level project management certifications that will help current project managers and aspiring PMs stand out to hiring managers!

Career-Boosting Certifications for Project Managers

1. Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)

The CAPM is an entry-level project management certification offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI). The exam covers core concepts in project management, including the project life cycle, budgeting, scheduling, risk management, change management, and more.

Earning this certification helps entry-level project managers qualify for positions like assistant project manager, project administrator, project coordinator, and other related roles.

This certification is great for: New project managers or individuals without formal project management experience who are interested in pursuing a career in the field.
Prerequisites: A high school diploma, GED, or global equivalent, and 23 hours of project management education (which can be completed through a course offered by the PMI).
Cost: $225 for members, $300 for non-members.

2. Project Management Professional (PMP)

The PMP is another certification offered by the Project Management Institute, but this one is for experienced project managers. It tests PMs less on their conceptual knowledge and more on how to apply advanced project management techniques in real-world scenarios.

A lot of the exam covers people, such as conflict management, leading and supporting teams, and negotiating project agreements, but it also covers processes (i.e., scope management and change management) and the business environment (compliance, demonstrating project value, etc.).

This certification is great for: Experienced project managers who want to validate and level up their skills.
Prerequisites: Anyone wanting to earn the PMP certification must have 35 hours of project management training and at least two years of experience managing projects. The required experience depends on whether you hold a four-year degree or a high school diploma (or equivalent). See the full list of requirements here.
Cost: $425 for members, $675 for non-members.

3. Certified Project Director (CPD)

The CPD is a project management certification awarded by the Global Association for Quality Management (GAQM). It’s specifically designed for senior project managers, executives, and leaders who oversee large, complex, or enterprise-level projects.

This certification is great for: Senior project managers and project management leaders.
Prerequisites: Bachelor’s degree or higher, along with one of the following project management certifications or credentials: Professional in Project Management (PPM), PMP, CPM, or PRINCE2 Practitioner.
Cost: $100 – $250

4. CompTIA Project+

Project+ is a certification for information technology (IT) workers. Professionals who earn the Project+ certification will learn about project basics, common constraints, communication and change management methods, documentation, and various project management tools.

It’s a great beginner certification for IT professionals who want to validate their skills in handling small-scale projects or those looking to move into IT project management.

This certification is great for: IT professionals with experience handling less complex projects.
Prerequisites: Six to 12 months of experience managing projects in an IT environment (recommended).
Cost: $369 – $2,300

5. Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)

The Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) certification is designed for professionals who want to learn the principles of Scrum, an agile project management framework most commonly used in IT environments.

The CSM course covers Scrum roles, events, and artifacts, emphasizing the responsibilities of a Scrum Master, such as facilitating communication, removing obstacles, and supporting the development team. This certification is useful for those looking to improve team collaboration, manage projects more effectively, and adapt quickly to changing requirements.

This is a foundational Scrum certification, but Scrum Alliance offers certification at the advanced and professional levels as well.

This certification is great for: Professionals interested in agile project management, team leaders, and people in IT looking to work as scrum masters.
Prerequisites: None
Cost: $250 – $2,500

6. ITIL 4

ITIL stands for IT Infrastructure Library. It is a certification designed specifically for IT service management (ITSM) employees who want to better execute IT projects and deliver enhanced IT-related services. People who earn the certification will learn how to streamline work and adopt more flexible working practices, break down team silos by encouraging a holistic, systems-thinking approach, work with complex systems, and more.

This certification is offered at four levels: Foundation, Managing Professional, Strategic Leader, and Master.

The ITIL is less versatile than some of the certifications on this list since it is all about IT service management, but it’s a great option for anyone in this area of IT looking to advance their careers in ITSM and take on more of a leadership role in IT projects.

This certification is for: IT professionals involved in service management.
Prerequisites: Requirements to take the exam depend on which level you are looking to get certified at. Explore the prerequisites for each level on Axelos’ website.
Cost: $500 – $2,500

Get Hired as a Project Manager with Insight Global

Certified PMs stand out in the job market, but this isn’t a comprehensive list. The best project manager certifications are those that align with your current experience level, the types of projects you manage or want to manage in the future, and your long-term career goals. Some employers may also prefer certain certifications over others. Keep this in mind as you explore your options and take the next steps in your career.

Ready to apply now? Explore our job board today.

Career-Boosting Certifications for Project Managers

Get Hired as a Project Manager with Insight Global

More Content