Top 10 Associate Product Manager Certifications

Certifications are an important way for an associate product manager to demonstrate their expertise and knowledge in the field. They can help set a candidate apart from other applicants and show potential employers that they have the skills necessary to be successful in the position. Certifications also provide tangible evidence of a candidate’s commitment to professional development and willingness to stay up-to-date on industry trends. Finally, certifications can give candidates access to exclusive job postings, networking opportunities, and other resources that may not be available without them.

The purpose of this article is to review the top certifications for Associate Product Managers and explain how they can help advance an associate product manager's career.

What are Associate Product Manager Certifications?

Associate Product Manager Certification is a professional certification designed to prepare individuals for a successful career as an Associate Product Manager. This certification is designed to provide practitioners with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively manage product development, market research, customer feedback, competitive analysis, and product strategy. By becoming certified in this field, professionals are able to demonstrate their understanding of the fundamentals of product management, including product life cycles, pricing strategies, and product positioning. Additionally, they will gain a comprehensive understanding of the tools and processes used in the development of successful products.

This certification can help individuals enhance their career prospects by providing them with the skills and knowledge needed for success in the field. Those who are certified are more likely to be hired by employers because they have demonstrated their commitment to excellence in their chosen profession. Furthermore, employers will be more confident in hiring certified candidates due to their proven track record of success. Finally, this certification provides practitioners with a platform from which they can network with other professionals within their industry. Having access to these networks can open many doors for those seeking career advancement opportunities.

Pro Tip: Before pursuing an Associate Product Manager Certification, make sure to research the program and ensure it is accredited by a reputable organization. It is also important to understand the types of courses offered, as well as the cost of tuition and fees. Additionally, you should be aware of any prerequisites required for the program and any potential job opportunities available upon completion.

Related: What does an Associate Product Manager do?

Top 10 Associate Product Manager Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Associate Product Managers today.

1. Certified Associate Product Manager (CAPM)

Certified Associate Product Manager (CAPM) is a certification program offered by the Association of International Product Management and Marketing (AIPMM). It is designed to give product managers and aspiring product managers the knowledge and skills needed to effectively manage products, from concept to launch.

The CAPM certification requires applicants to have at least 23 hours of project management education. This can be obtained through a variety of sources, such as online courses, in-person classes, or self-study. Once the required education has been completed, applicants must pass an exam administered by AIPMM. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions and must be completed within three hours.

In order to become certified, applicants must pay a fee of $225 USD for AIPMM members or $300 USD for non-members. The fee covers the cost of the exam and any other materials required for certification. After passing the exam, applicants will receive their CAPM certificate and will be listed in AIPMM’s registry of certified professionals.

The CAPM certification is valid for five years after which time it must be renewed by taking a refresher course or retaking the exam. Renewal fees are typically lower than initial certification fees.

2. Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO)

Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO) is a certification offered by the Scrum Alliance. It is designed to help professionals demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of the Scrum framework and its principles.

The CSPO certification is designed for individuals who have an understanding of the Scrum methodology, but who are not necessarily involved in day-to-day development activities. The certification focuses on the role of the product owner, which involves working with stakeholders to define and prioritize features, communicating requirements to the development team, and managing stakeholder expectations throughout the project.

It typically takes 1-2 days to complete the CSPO training course, depending on experience level. The course includes lectures, interactive exercises, and a final exam. After completing the course, participants must pass a multiple-choice exam in order to receive their CSPO certification.

The cost of the CSPO training course varies depending on location and provider; however, it typically costs between $500-$1,000 USD per person.

3. Certified Agile Product Manager (CAPM)

Certified Agile Product Manager (CAPM) is a professional certification for individuals who want to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of the Agile framework. The CAPM certification is offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI). It is designed to recognize individuals who have the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively manage product development projects using the Agile methodology.

The CAPM certification requires applicants to have a minimum of 1,500 hours of experience in product management or 23 hours of formal education in project management. Applicants must also pass an exam that covers topics such as Agile principles, Scrum methodology, product backlogs, sprint planning, and more.

It typically takes about 4-6 weeks to prepare for the CAPM exam. Preparation can include studying course material provided by PMI, attending workshops or classes on Agile product management, or reading books on the subject.

The cost of obtaining the CAPM certification varies depending on how you choose to prepare for it. The cost of taking the exam itself is $225 USD for PMI members and $300 USD for non-members. Additionally, there may be costs associated with purchasing study materials or attending training courses.

4. PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)

PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP) is a certification offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI) that recognizes an individual’s expertise in agile project management. It is designed to validate an individual’s knowledge and experience with agile principles, practices, tools, and techniques. The PMI-ACP demonstrates a professional’s ability to apply agile principles to successfully manage projects.

The PMI-ACP requires applicants to have at least 2,000 hours of general project experience and 1,500 hours of agile project experience within the last five years. Additionally, applicants must complete 21 contact hours of training in agile practices.

To get certified as a PMI-ACP, you must first apply for the exam through the PMI website. Once your application has been approved, you can register for the exam and pay the associated fee. The cost of the exam is $435 for members of PMI and $495 for non-members.

The exam consists of 120 multiple choice questions and takes approximately three hours to complete. You will need to score at least 170 out of 200 points on the exam in order to pass it and receive your certification.

5. Professional Scrum Master I (PSM I)

Professional Scrum Master I (PSM I) is a certification offered by Scrum.org that validates a person’s understanding of the principles and practices of the Scrum framework. It is designed to help individuals become better Scrum Masters, helping them to facilitate successful projects and teams.

The PSM I certification exam consists of 80 multiple-choice questions and takes 90 minutes to complete. The exam is open book, meaning that you can reference any material during the test. To pass the exam, you must score at least 85%.

To get the PSM I certification, you must first take an online training course from Scrum.org or one of its approved training partners. After completing the course, you will receive an invitation to take the PSM I assessment. Once you have passed the assessment, you will receive your official PSM I certificate from Scrum.org.

The cost for taking the PSM I certification exam varies depending on which training provider you choose to use for your online coursework. Generally speaking, it costs between $200-$400 USD for the entire process (including both coursework and assessment).

6. Professional Scrum Product Owner I (PSPO I)

Professional Scrum Product Owner I (PSPO I) is a certification offered by Scrum.org that validates an individual's knowledge and understanding of the role of a Product Owner in a Scrum environment. It is designed to help individuals demonstrate their ability to create and manage product backlogs, ensure value delivery, and maximize ROI for their organization.

The PSPO I exam takes approximately 90 minutes to complete and consists of 80 multiple-choice questions. The exam is administered online, and there are no prerequisites or experience requirements needed to take the exam.

In order to get the PSPO I certification, you must pass the PSPO I exam with a score of at least 85%. The cost of the exam is $200 USD. After passing the exam, you will receive your official PSPO I certificate from Scrum.org.

7. Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification

Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification is a professional certification that demonstrates an individual's expertise in the Lean Six Sigma methodology. It is designed to help individuals understand and apply the principles of Lean Six Sigma to their organization's processes, and it provides them with the tools and techniques necessary to improve business performance.

The Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification program typically takes 8-12 weeks to complete, depending on the provider. During this time, participants will learn the fundamentals of Lean Six Sigma, including process improvement, problem solving, data analysis, and project management. They will also gain hands-on experience through case studies and simulations.

To obtain a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification, individuals must complete a course or series of courses offered by an accredited provider. The cost of these courses varies depending on the provider; however, most programs range from $1,500-$3,000 USD. After completing the coursework and passing an exam administered by the provider, individuals are awarded their certification.

8. Project Management Professional (PMP)

Project Management Professional (PMP) is a certification offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI). It is the most widely recognized and respected certification in the project management field. The PMP credential demonstrates to employers, colleagues, and clients that an individual has the knowledge and experience to successfully lead projects.

To qualify for the PMP exam, applicants must have either a secondary degree (high school diploma or equivalent) plus at least five years of professional project management experience with 7,500 hours leading and directing projects; or a four-year degree plus at least three years of professional project management experience with 4,500 hours leading and directing projects.

The PMP exam consists of 200 multiple choice questions that must be completed within four hours. The exam covers five key areas: Initiating, Planning, Executing, Monitoring & Controlling, and Closing.

The cost of taking the PMP exam varies depending on whether you are a member of PMI or not. For non-members it costs $555 while members pay $405.

Once you have passed the PMP exam you will need to complete 60 professional development units (PDUs) every three years in order to maintain your certification status.

9. Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP)

Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP) is a professional certification offered by the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA). It recognizes individuals who have demonstrated expertise in business analysis and have the knowledge, skills, and abilities to apply business analysis techniques to successfully manage organizational change.

The CBAP certification requires applicants to meet certain prerequisites before they can sit for the exam. Candidates must have at least 7500 hours of experience in business analysis work within the past 10 years, with 900 hours of that time spent on four specific knowledge areas. Additionally, applicants must provide two references from a career manager or client who can attest to their experience in business analysis.

The CBAP exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions and takes three hours to complete. The exam fee is $325 USD for IIBA members and $450 USD for non-members. After passing the exam, applicants must renew their certification every three years by submitting 60 professional development units (PDUs).

10. ITIL Foundation Certification

ITIL Foundation Certification is a globally recognized certification for IT professionals who want to demonstrate their understanding of the IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL). It is designed to provide an understanding of the core concepts, processes, and best practices of IT service management as described in the ITIL framework.

The ITIL Foundation Certification typically takes around 2-3 days to complete and can be done in person or online. The certification exam consists of 40 multiple choice questions that must be completed within 60 minutes. To pass the exam, candidates must score at least 65%.

In order to get certified, individuals must first register with an accredited training provider and attend a course. The cost of the course varies depending on the provider but typically ranges from $1,000 - $2,000 USD. After completing the course, individuals can then take the certification exam which costs approximately $250 USD.

Overall, obtaining an ITIL Foundation Certification requires a significant investment in both time and money but it can be well worth it for those looking to advance their career in IT service management.

Do You Really Need a Associate Product Manager Certificate?

The short answer to this question is no. An Associate Product Manager certificate is not required for most positions in the product management field. However, depending on the company and the position, having an Associate Product Manager certificate may be beneficial.

Having an Associate Product Manager certificate can demonstrate to employers that you have a strong knowledge of product management principles and practices. It can also show employers that you are committed to staying up-to-date on best practices and industry trends. Additionally, it can give you an edge over other job applicants who lack such credentials.

On the other hand, many companies value experience more than certifications when it comes to product management positions. If you have relevant experience in the field, such as working in a similar role or completing a related project, then this could be more beneficial than having a certificate. Employers may also value soft skills such as problem solving, communication, and leadership capabilities over certifications when assessing potential candidates for product management roles.

Ultimately, whether or not an Associate Product Manager certificate will help you land a job depends on the specific requirements of each employer and position. Consider your own experience and skill set before deciding if obtaining an Associate Product Manager certification is worth your time and money.

Related: Associate Product Manager Resume Examples

FAQs About Associate Product Manager Certifications

1. What is an Associate Product Manager Certification?

Answer: An Associate Product Manager Certification is a professional credential that demonstrates a broad knowledge and understanding of product management principles, processes, and best practices. It is designed for individuals who are looking to advance their career in product management and become certified in the field.

2. What are the benefits of obtaining an Associate Product Manager Certification?

Answer: Obtaining an Associate Product Manager Certification can provide many benefits such as increased job opportunities, higher salaries, recognition from employers, better understanding of product management processes and principles, enhanced ability to lead product teams, and more.

3. What topics does an Associate Product Manager Certification cover?

Answer: An Associate Product Manager Certification covers a wide range of topics including market research and analysis, product strategy development, pricing strategies, customer segmentation and targeting, user experience design, product launch plans, agile methodologies, innovation management techniques, project management tools and techniques, data-driven decision making processes and more.

4. How long does it take to complete an Associate Product Manager Certification?

Answer: The amount of time it takes to complete an Associate Product Manager Certification varies depending on the program you choose. Most programs require approximately 6 months to 1 year of study time to complete all coursework and exams required for certification.

5. Is there any cost associated with obtaining an Associate Product Manager Certification?

Answer: Yes, there may be some costs associated with obtaining an Associate Product Manager Certification depending on the program you choose. Costs may include tuition fees for courses or exams as well as registration fees or other administrative fees required by the certifying organization or institution offering the certification program.