Top 11 IT Project Coordinator Certifications

Certifications are important for an IT project coordinator in the job market because they demonstrate an individual’s capabilities and knowledge in the field. Many employers require that potential candidates have certain certifications and credentials to prove their understanding of their role and associated technologies. Additionally, certifications can help differentiate a job candidate from other applicants by showing that they have invested the time and effort to gain additional qualifications, making them more attractive to employers. Furthermore, having certifications can also demonstrate a commitment to staying on top of trends in the IT industry, which is essential for success as a project coordinator.

The article reviews top certifications for IT Project Coordinators and explains how they can enhance a career in project coordination.

What are IT Project Coordinator Certifications?

Project Coordinator Certification is a professional certification that demonstrates an individual’s knowledge and understanding of project management principles and practices. It is designed to ensure that individuals have the skills and abilities needed to successfully coordinate projects in any industry. Project coordinators must be able to organize, plan, execute, monitor, control, and close out projects. By having this certification, organizations can be assured that their project coordinators have the necessary skills and knowledge to lead projects from start to finish.

The certification provides a comprehensive overview of the essential functions of a project coordinator. It covers topics such as developing project plans, managing resources, establishing timelines, tracking progress, budgeting, problem solving and decision making. Individuals who complete the course will learn how to communicate effectively with stakeholders throughout the life cycle of a project and gain insight into how to make sure that all team members are working together towards common objectives. The certification also teaches best practices for managing risks associated with projects as well as how to ensure successful completion of projects on time and within budget.

Having this certification can help individuals stand out in the job market by demonstrating their commitment to excellence in project coordination. It can also provide them with an advantage when applying for positions or promotions within their organization as it shows employers that they have the knowledge necessary for successful project coordination. Furthermore, having this certification can give individuals access to exclusive resources such as webinars and conferences which are designed specifically for certified professionals. Ultimately, Project Coordinator Certification can help individuals gain greater confidence in their ability to manage projects efficiently and effectively so they can confidently take on more challenging roles within their organizations.

Pro Tip: Project Coordinator certification is not just about getting a certificate. It's also about learning the best practices and developing the right skills to be successful in this role. Make sure you understand the requirements for each certification, and take the time to practice what you've learned so that you can confidently demonstrate your knowledge when it comes time to apply for a position.

Related: What does an IT Project Coordinator do?

Top 11 IT Project Coordinator Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to IT Project Coordinators today.

1. Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)

Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) is a certification offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI). It is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated a basic understanding of project management concepts and processes. The CAPM exam covers topics such as project life cycles, project scheduling, cost management, quality management, communication management, risk management, and stakeholder management.

It typically takes about three months to prepare for the CAPM exam. It is recommended that you take an approved PMI training course or self-study using PMI's official study materials. Additionally, it is recommended that you have at least 1,500 hours of experience working on projects before taking the exam.

To get the CAPM certification, you must pass the CAPM exam with a score of at least 175 out of 200 points. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions and lasts three hours. You can register for the exam online through PMI's website or through an approved test center.

The cost of taking the CAPM exam varies depending on your location and whether you are a PMI member or not. For non-members in North America, it costs $225 USD; for members in North America it costs $300 USD; and for members outside North America it costs $375 USD.

2. PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)

PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP) is a certification offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI). It is designed to recognize a professional’s knowledge and skills in agile project management. It identifies individuals who have demonstrated their understanding of agile principles, practices, tools and techniques across multiple agile methodologies.

It typically takes about three months to prepare for the PMI-ACP exam. To get the certification, you must meet certain eligibility requirements and pass an exam that consists of 120 multiple choice questions. The cost of the exam is $435 for PMI members and $495 for non-members.

To be eligible to take the PMI-ACP exam, you must have either:

• 2,000 hours of general project experience working on teams
• 1,500 hours of experience working on agile project teams or with agile methodologies
• 21 contact hours of training in agile practices

You also need to have at least one year of professional business experience within the last five years.

3. Project Management Professional (PMP)

Project Management Professional (PMP) is a globally recognized professional certification for project managers. The PMP certification is awarded by the Project Management Institute (PMI), a non-profit organization that sets standards for project management professionals. It is designed to demonstrate an individual’s knowledge and experience in managing projects, leading teams, and delivering results.

To become a PMP, you must have at least 4500 hours of project management experience over the past 8 years and 35 hours of formal project management education. You must also pass the PMP exam, which consists of 200 multiple-choice questions. The exam takes four hours to complete and covers five major areas: Initiating, Planning, Executing, Monitoring & Controlling, and Closing.

It typically takes 3-6 months to prepare for the PMP exam depending on your level of experience with project management. During this time you should review study materials such as books or online courses and practice test questions to prepare yourself for the exam.

The cost to take the PMP exam is $555 USD for members of the PMI ($405 USD if you are a student member) or $695 USD for non-members ($495 USD if you are a student non-member). Once you have passed the exam, there is an annual membership fee of $129 USD to maintain your certification status.

4. CompTIA Project+

CompTIA Project+ is a certification program designed to validate the knowledge and skills of project managers. It is an internationally recognized credential that proves an individual’s ability to manage projects from initiation to closure.

The CompTIA Project+ exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions and takes two hours to complete. The topics covered in the exam include project management processes, tools and techniques, communication, risk management, quality assurance, procurement and more.

To get the CompTIA Project+ certification, you must pass the exam with a score of 750 or higher on a scale of 100-900. You can take the exam at any Pearson VUE testing center or online through their website.

The cost for the CompTIA Project+ exam is $322 USD (plus applicable taxes).

5. Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)

A Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) is a professional certification offered by the Scrum Alliance, an organization dedicated to promoting and teaching the Agile methodology of software development. The CSM certification is designed to help individuals understand and apply the principles of Scrum, an iterative and incremental framework for managing complex projects.

The CSM certification requires individuals to attend a two-day training course led by a Certified Scrum Trainer (CST). The course covers topics such as the history of Scrum, its core values and principles, roles within a Scrum team, sprint planning, product backlog management, and more. Upon successful completion of the course, participants will receive their CSM certification.

The cost of the two-day training course varies depending on location and instructor but typically ranges from $1,000 - $2,000 USD. Additionally, there is an annual membership fee of $100 USD that must be paid in order to maintain your CSM status.

In addition to attending a two-day training course, individuals must also pass an online exam in order to become certified. The exam consists of 50 multiple choice questions and must be completed within 90 minutes. Individuals who pass the exam will receive their CSM certificate via email within 24 hours.

6. PRINCE2 Foundation and Practitioner Certifications

PRINCE2 (Projects in Controlled Environments) is a process-based approach for managing projects. It provides an easily tailored and scalable project management methodology for the management of all types of projects. The PRINCE2 Foundation and Practitioner certifications are globally recognized qualifications that demonstrate a professional’s ability to apply and tailor the PRINCE2 method to a project environment.

The PRINCE2 Foundation certification is designed to provide individuals with an understanding of the PRINCE2 principles, processes, themes, techniques, and terminology. The certification consists of one exam which is taken at the end of a two-day course. To pass the exam, candidates must be able to demonstrate their understanding of the principles and terminology used in PRINCE2.

The PRINCE2 Practitioner certification builds on the knowledge gained from the Foundation certification by providing individuals with an understanding of how to apply and tailor PRINCE2 in different situations. The Practitioner certification consists of one exam which is taken at the end of a three-day course. To pass the exam, candidates must be able to demonstrate their ability to apply and tailor PRINCE2 in different situations.

To get either certification, candidates must attend an approved training course or self-study using approved materials before taking their respective exams. The cost for attending an approved training course varies depending on provider but typically ranges from £500 - £1,000 (GBP). The cost for self-study materials also varies depending on provider but typically ranges from £200 - £400 (GBP).

In addition to these costs, there is also an examination fee which must be paid when booking your exam (£150 GBP for Foundation; £300 GBP for Practitioner).

7. ITIL Foundation Certification

ITIL Foundation Certification is a globally recognized qualification that provides individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to understand and manage IT services. It is based on the Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL), which is a set of best practices for IT service management.

The certification process consists of completing an online or classroom-based course and passing an exam. The course typically takes 2-5 days, depending on the provider, and covers topics such as service strategy, service design, service transition, service operations, continual service improvement and more.

To get certified, you must first register for an accredited ITIL Foundation course. You can find accredited providers by searching online or contacting your local college or university. Once you have completed the course, you will need to pass the exam in order to receive your certification.

The cost of the ITIL Foundation Certification varies depending on the provider but typically ranges from $500-$1000 USD.

8. Six Sigma Green Belt Certification

Six Sigma Green Belt Certification is a professional certification program designed to help individuals and organizations improve their business processes. It is based on the Six Sigma methodology, which utilizes statistical analysis and problem-solving techniques to identify and eliminate defects in any process.

The Six Sigma Green Belt Certification program typically takes between six months and one year to complete. It involves completing a series of courses that cover topics such as project management, data analysis, process improvement, and more. Upon completion of the courses, participants must pass an exam in order to receive their certification.

In order to get certified as a Six Sigma Green Belt, you must first meet the eligibility requirements. These include having at least three years of work experience in a relevant field (such as engineering or quality control), or having completed an accredited course in Six Sigma or Lean Manufacturing.

The cost of getting certified as a Six Sigma Green Belt can vary depending on the provider you choose. Generally speaking, it can range from $500-$2,000 USD for online programs or up to $5,000 USD for classroom-based programs.

9. Microsoft Project Certification

Microsoft Project Certification is a professional certification that demonstrates an individual’s expertise in Microsoft Project software. It is designed to help project managers and other professionals demonstrate their knowledge and skills in managing projects, planning resources, tracking progress, and reporting results.

The certification consists of two exams: the Microsoft Project 2016 Exam 77-725 and the Microsoft Project 2019 Exam 77-427. Both exams are multiple-choice tests that assess an individual’s understanding of the features and functions of Microsoft Project. The exams cover topics such as project initiation, scheduling, resource management, budgeting, tracking progress, and reporting results.

It typically takes about two months to complete both exams for certification. This includes studying for the exams and taking them at a Pearson VUE testing center. To prepare for the exam, individuals can take online courses or use self-study materials such as books or practice tests.

To get certified, individuals must pass both exams with a score of 700 or higher on each one. After passing both exams, they will receive an official Microsoft Project Certification from Microsoft.

The cost of obtaining the certification depends on where you take your exam and which study materials you use to prepare for it. Generally speaking, the cost ranges from $200-$400 USD per exam plus any additional fees associated with taking the exam at a Pearson VUE testing center or using online courses or self-study materials to prepare for it.

10. Certified Professional in Project Management (CPPM)

Certified Professional in Project Management (CPPM) is a professional certification program designed to help project managers gain the skills and knowledge needed to effectively manage projects. The CPPM certification is offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI), a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the project management profession.

The CPPM certification requires successful completion of an online exam, which covers topics such as project management fundamentals, risk management, cost estimation, scheduling, communication, and more. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions and takes approximately two hours to complete. Candidates must have at least three years of professional experience in project management or related fields in order to be eligible for the CPPM certification.

To get the CPPM certification, candidates must first register with PMI and pay a fee of $400 USD. After registering, candidates can take the exam at any approved testing center or online through PMI's website. Once they have passed the exam, they will receive their official certificate from PMI within four weeks.

The cost of obtaining the CPPM certification varies depending on where you take the exam and whether you choose to purchase additional materials or services from PMI such as study guides or practice tests. Generally speaking, it should cost around $400 USD for the registration fee plus any additional materials or services you may choose to purchase from PMI.

11. Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Certification

Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Certification is a professional certification program that provides individuals with the skills and knowledge to lead and manage Lean Six Sigma projects. It is designed to give professionals the ability to identify and eliminate waste, improve processes, and increase customer satisfaction.

The Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Certification typically takes between 4-6 months to complete. The program consists of classroom instruction, online learning modules, project work, exams, and a final certification exam. Upon completion of the program, participants will be awarded a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Certification from an accredited organization such as ASQ or IASSC.

To get started on the Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Certification process, individuals should research different organizations that offer the certification program and select one that best fits their needs. Once selected, they should register for the course and begin studying for the exams.

The cost of the Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Certification varies depending on which organization you choose to go through for your certification. Generally speaking, it can range anywhere from $2,000-$4,000 USD for the full course including materials and exams.

Do You Really Need a IT Project Coordinator Certificate?

The short answer to this question is that it depends. It really depends on the specific role you are applying for and the expectations of that role. If you are expecting to take on a project coordinator role in an IT environment, then having a certification may be beneficial. Having a certification can demonstrate that you have the necessary knowledge and skills required for the position, as well as show employers that you are committed to developing your professional skills.

On the other hand, if you do not require any specialized knowledge or skills for the job, then having a certification may not be necessary. Many employers understand that experience is equally important when considering potential candidates and will look at your qualifications and experience before making a decision about hiring you.

Ultimately, it is up to you whether or not you decide to pursue an IT project coordinator certificate. It can definitely give you an edge if your potential employer requires someone with specialized knowledge or skills, but it may not always be necessary depending on the job requirements.

Related: IT Project Coordinator Resume Examples

FAQs About IT Project Coordinator Certifications

1. What is an IT Project Coordinator Certification?

Answer: An IT Project Coordinator Certification is a professional certification that demonstrates competency in project management and coordination, and the ability to work with teams to ensure successful completion of IT projects.

2. How do I get an IT Project Coordinator Certification?

Answer: To receive an IT Project Coordinator Certification, applicants must complete a series of courses or exams that demonstrate their knowledge and skills in project management, coordination and related topics.

3. Is an IT Project Coordinator Certification necessary for career growth?

Answer: While having an IT Project Coordinator Certification may not be required for certain positions, it can be beneficial when seeking higher-level roles or promotions within the company. It also demonstrates commitment to professional development and mastery of key concepts.

4. What are the benefits of having an IT Project Coordinator Certification?

Answer: The benefits of having an IT Project Coordinator Certification include enhanced credibility among peers, improved job opportunities and salary potential, increased knowledge and understanding of project management concepts, and recognition as a technical expert in the field.

5. How long does it take to get an IT Project Coordinator Certification?

Answer: Depending on the type of program chosen, it typically takes between 6 months to a year to complete all requirements for obtaining an IT Project Coordinator Certification.