Why PMP Certification is Superior to Other Project Management Certifications
The Project Management Professional certification has been the go-to certification as it validates the professional’s knowledge and competence in managing projects. However, project managers should explore different project management certifications and determine the most suitable based on their career paths.
The role of a project manager is critical in today’s fast-paced business environment. Whether you’re organizing a marketing campaign, launching a new product, or implementing a new IT system, effective project management is necessary. The professionals help companies address budget concerns and coordinate team members, tools, and other elements to ensure things keep on track and function as they should. As a result, more project managers are pursuing certifications to demonstrate their skills and expertise in the field.
We’ve done the legwork for you and prepared a summary of the different project management certifications and how they compare to PMP. If you’re looking to transition into project management, check out our article How to Become a Project Manager: Stepping into Leadership.
What is PMP Certification?
Project Management Professional certification is a globally recognized certification that validates a project manager’s advanced knowledge and competence in project management. It’s designed for people with at least three years of experience in project management to help them demonstrate their ability to lead and direct projects.
Project managers earn this certification by completing a training course and taking an exam. Other critical aspects of PMP certification that distinguish it from other courses include:
Eligibility
Candidates need a four-year bachelor’s degree, proof of 4500 hours of project management experience in the past eight years, and 35 hours of project management training. Candidates who don’t have a bachelor’s degree can apply if they have a secondary diploma, have 7500 hours of project management experience, and 35 hours of project management training.
Objective
PMP certification focuses on project management framework, methodologies, and best practices. It covers various project management knowledge areas and requires a deep understanding of the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) guide.
Career prospects
Being the most sought-after certification, PMP certification opens doors for senior management roles and increases your earning potential. PMP certification also equips you to work in different industries as you can handle complex projects
Cost
PMP is one of the most expensive PMI certifications. PMI members pay $405 for the exam, while non-PMI members pay $555. Note that this cost doesn’t include the price of additional study resources like books, Perfect PMP Flashcards, and online courses.
Salary
PMP-certified professionals attract much higher pay than other project management professionals. According to PMI, they make an average salary of $69,000-$253,748 annually, 32% higher than non-certified colleagues.
CAPM vs. PMP Certification
Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) is another prestigious project management certification tailored to professionals who are new in the field. It provides a solid foundation in project management, serving as a great entry point into project management. Some critical issues about CAPM:
Eligibility
Unlike PMP, which requires candidates to possess a bachelor’s degree, people undertaking CAPM certification can apply with a secondary school certificate like a high school diploma or equivalent. Also, they only need to demonstrate 1500 hours of project management experience and 23 hours of project management study.
Objective
The areas of focus in CAPM are project management terminologies, processes, and fundamental concepts as defined in the Project Management Body of Knowledge guide.
Career prospects
CAPM enhances a project manager’s marketability when applying for entry-level managerial roles. It also establishes the foundation for future progression in their project management career.
Cost
The CAPM exam is much cheaper than the PMP exam as PMI members pay $225 while non-CAPM members pay $300.
Salary
CAPM holders make $68,000 annually which is way lower than what PMP-certified professionals make.
PMP Certification vs. Agile Certification Practitioner
While the two certifications equip professionals with essential project management skills, Agile is designed for professionals in technology industries to help them become more adaptable to change.
It takes on a more customer-centric approach to learning by equipping professionals with tools to help them adapt to ongoing changes instead of building to fit a specific plan. As such, the Agile Certification Practitioner exam tests a professional’s knowledge of agile tools, principles, and values.
| PMP | Agile | |
| Eligibility | 4500 hours of project management experience in the past eight years and 35 hours of project management training Candidates who don’t have a bachelor’s degree can apply if they have secondary diploma, have 7500 hours of project management experience and 35 hours of project management training | Agile project experience for 1500 hoursAgile project experience within the last three years8 months of Agile project experience in multiple overlapping projects |
| Objective | Validates a project manager’s advanced knowledge and competence in project management. | Obtain knowledge in specific Agile principles |
| Career prospects | Senior project management roles globally | Scrum masters, agile trainers, digital channel planners, technical business analysts |
| Cost | PMI members pay $405 for the exam while non-PMI members pay $555 | $305 for PMI members$ 347 for non-PMI members |
| Salary | $69,000-$253,748 annually | $91,000-$136,523 |
How Does PMP Certification Compare to Other Project Management Professional Certifications?
PMP certification is superior to other project management certifications. It’s more rigorous, and PMI sets higher qualification standards for the certification. Additionally, candidates must prove their professional experience, knowledge, and skills in project management, making it a more valuable and challenging to attain credential.
By comparison, CAPM is an excellent entry-level certification; Agile equips candidates with agile project management principles, while PMP tests a PM’s knowledge and practices in project management.
How to Choose the Right Project Management Certification
With so many project management certifications, choosing the right one for your career can be daunting. It would help to factor in the following points to make an informed decision:
Career goals
Your career aspirations should help you determine the proper certification. For example, if you want to increase your chances of working as a project manager in different industries, PMP would be a better pick.
However, if you want to improve your project management skills, it would help to take a course that enhances your knowledge of PM methodologies, e.g., Agile Certification Practitioner.
Experience
How familiar are you with project management tools, concepts, and processes? Do you have practical experience in managing complex projects? Certifications like PMP require a candidate to accumulate many hours of project management experience. However, if you’re starting out, CAPM is an ideal certification to take on.
Time and resources
You must factor in the time and resources required to attain the desired certification, especially if in active employment. For example, PMP requires a significant investment in time and resources to study the course material and prepare for the exam using additional study resources like the Prep Exam Prep Simplified. If you have an overwhelming schedule then a less-demanding course like CAPM may be more suitable.
Methodology
Consider whether you prefer a specific project management methodology (e.g., Agile) and choose a certification that aligns with it or want to broaden your career prospects. If the latter, PMP is more suitable as it’s recognized globally.
Conclusion
With this detailed guide, you can determine the proper project management certification. However, the ultimate decision depends on your unique circumstances and career aspirations. Many professionals find value in obtaining multiple certifications to diversify their skill sets.
