Top 10 PMO Manager Certifications

Certifications are important for a PMO Manager in the job market because they demonstrate knowledge and expertise in the field. Certifications also show employers that the PMO Manager is committed to professional development and has taken steps to stay up-to-date on best practices and trends in the industry. Certifications can also provide PMO Managers with an edge over other candidates since they demonstrate technical capabilities, problem-solving abilities, and other skills that are essential for success in this role. Finally, certifications can help PMO Managers stand out from other applicants by demonstrating their commitment to excellence in their field.

The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the most beneficial certifications for PMO Managers and explain how they can help advance their career.

What are PMO Manager Certifications?

PMO Manager Certification is a certification program designed for individuals who are looking to demonstrate their proficiency in managing projects or programs. This certification provides an industry-recognized credential that verifies the holder’s ability to effectively manage projects or programs using best practices and methodology. PMO Managers are responsible for ensuring that projects are completed on time and within budget, as well as meeting customer requirements.

By obtaining PMO Manager Certification, holders will demonstrate their knowledge of project management principles and techniques, as well as their ability to apply these skills to successfully manage projects or programs. This will not only improve the holder's professional standing but also help employers identify qualified candidates for project management roles. Additionally, holders of this certification may be able to negotiate higher salaries due to the specialized expertise they possess. Finally, having PMO Manager Certification can open up career opportunities such as becoming a consultant or trainer in the field of project management.

Pro Tip: When preparing for PMO Manager certification, make sure to focus on the key concepts and principles of project management, including the triple constraint (scope, time, cost), project lifecycle management, risk management and stakeholder engagement. Also be sure to stay up-to-date on industry best practices and trends in project management.

Related: What does a PMO Manager do?

Top 10 PMO Manager Certifications

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

1. Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification

Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification is a globally recognized certification that indicates a high level of knowledge and expertise in project management. It is offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI), an international professional organization for project management professionals.

The PMP credential is designed to demonstrate a mastery of the principles, processes, and practices of project management. To earn the PMP credential, applicants must have at least three years of experience leading projects and 35 hours of formal education in project management.

To get the PMP certification, you must first pass an exam administered by PMI. The exam consists of 200 multiple-choice questions that cover five domains: initiating, planning, executing, monitoring and controlling, and closing. The exam takes about four hours to complete and costs $405 for members of PMI or $555 for non-members.

Once you pass the exam, you will need to submit your application to be certified as a PMP. Your application must include proof of your education and experience in project management, as well as references from peers who can attest to your qualifications. Once your application is approved by PMI, you will receive your official PMP certification.

The cost of becoming a PMP varies depending on whether or not you are already a member of PMI. For non-members, it typically costs around $1,000 including the cost of the exam fee ($555), membership fees ($129/year), study materials ($200-$400), and other expenses such as travel costs if applicable. For members, it typically costs around $800 including the cost of the exam fee ($405), study materials ($200-$400), and other expenses such as travel costs if applicable.

Overall, it usually takes between 3-6 months to become certified as a Project Management Professional (PMP).

2. Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) Certification

The Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) is a certification offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI). It is designed to demonstrate an individual’s knowledge and understanding of project management principles, processes, and practices. This certification is for those who are new to the field of project management or who may have limited experience with managing projects.

To obtain the CAPM certification, individuals must pass a three-hour exam that tests their understanding of the PMBOK Guide (Project Management Body of Knowledge). The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions that cover five domains: Initiating, Planning, Executing, Monitoring & Controlling, and Closing.

The exam can be taken at one of PMI’s approved testing centers or online through Pearson VUE. To be eligible to take the exam, individuals must have either a secondary degree (high school diploma or equivalent) plus 1,500 hours of project experience OR 23 hours of formal education in project management.

The cost for the exam is $225 for members of PMI and $300 for non-members. The cost includes a one-year membership to PMI if you are not already a member.

Once you pass the exam, you will receive your CAPM certification within four weeks. The certificate is valid for five years from the date you passed the exam and must be renewed every five years by earning 60 professional development units (PDUs).

3. PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP) Certification

PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP) Certification is a certification offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI) that recognizes professionals who have the knowledge and skills to successfully apply agile principles and practices in their projects. The PMI-ACP is designed for project managers, business analysts, product owners, and other practitioners who are involved in agile projects.

The PMI-ACP certification requires applicants to have at least 1,500 hours of general project experience and 2,000 hours of agile project experience over the last five years. Applicants must also complete 21 contact hours of formal education in agile practices.

To get certified, applicants must pass an exam that covers topics such as Scrum fundamentals, Kanban systems, Lean Thinking, Agile Estimating & Planning, Team Performance & Collaboration, Agile Quality Practices and more. The exam consists of 120 multiple choice questions and has a three hour time limit.

The cost of the PMI-ACP certification varies depending on where you take the exam. In most cases it costs around $435 USD for members of PMI or $495 USD for non-members.

Overall, it usually takes about two to three months to prepare for the exam and obtain the certification if all requirements are met.

4. PRINCE2 Foundation and Practitioner Certifications

PRINCE2 (Projects In Controlled Environments) is a widely-used project management methodology that provides structure and guidance for managing projects of all sizes. It is used in many industries, including IT, construction, engineering, and finance.

The PRINCE2 Foundation and Practitioner Certifications are two levels of certification offered by the official PRINCE2 accreditation body, AXELOS. The Foundation level is an introductory course designed to provide an understanding of the principles and terminology of PRINCE2. The Practitioner level builds on the knowledge gained from the Foundation course and covers more advanced topics such as tailoring PRINCE2 to specific projects, applying it to different types of projects, and managing risks.

It typically takes around three months to complete both certifications depending on how much time you can dedicate to studying. To get certified at either level, you must pass an exam administered by PeopleCert or APMG International. The exams are multiple choice and require a minimum score of 55% to pass.

The cost of getting certified depends on which training provider you choose and whether you take the exams online or in person. Generally speaking, the cost ranges from £300 - £1000 ($400 - $1300).

5. Certified Scrum Master (CSM) Certification

Certified Scrum Master (CSM) certification is a professional certification for individuals who have demonstrated an understanding of the Scrum framework and its application to software development projects. The CSM credential is awarded by the Scrum Alliance, an international organization dedicated to promoting and advancing the use of Scrum in software development.

The CSM certification process typically takes about two days to complete. During this time, candidates must attend a Certified ScrumMaster training course led by a Certified Scrum Trainer (CST). This course provides an introduction to Scrum and covers topics such as roles and responsibilities, sprint planning, daily scrums, retrospectives, and more. Upon successful completion of the course, candidates can take an online exam that tests their knowledge of the material covered in the course.

To become certified as a CSM, you must have at least one year of experience working on a software development project using Scrum or another Agile methodology. Additionally, you must pay a fee to take the online exam and submit proof that you attended an approved training course. The cost for taking the exam varies depending on your location but typically ranges from $200-$500 USD.

Once you pass the exam, you will be officially certified as a CSM and receive your certificate from the Scrum Alliance. This certificate is valid for two years after which time you will need to renew it by attending another approved training course or completing other requirements set forth by the Scrum Alliance.

6. PMI Risk Management Professional (PMI-RMP) Certification

PMI Risk Management Professional (PMI-RMP) certification is a credential offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI) that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated knowledge and experience in risk management. The PMI-RMP certification is designed to identify and assess project risks, develop strategies to mitigate them, and communicate those strategies to stakeholders.

To get the PMI-RMP certification, you must have at least three years of project risk management experience within the last five years, or four years of project risk management experience within the last eight years. You must also pass an exam consisting of 170 multiple-choice questions. The exam takes four hours to complete and tests your knowledge on topics such as risk planning, identification, response, monitoring and control.

The cost for the PMI-RMP certification varies depending on your membership status with PMI. If you are a nonmember of PMI, it will cost $555 for the application fee and $405 for the exam fee. If you are a member of PMI, it will cost $405 for the application fee and $275 for the exam fee.

Once you have passed the exam and met all other requirements, you will receive your official PMI-RMP certification from PMI. This certification is valid for three years before it needs to be renewed.

7. Lean Six Sigma Green Belt and Black Belt Certifications

Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification:

Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification is a professional certification that demonstrates an individual’s knowledge and experience in the Lean Six Sigma methodology. The certification is designed to provide individuals with the skills to identify and eliminate waste, improve process performance, and increase customer satisfaction. The certification requires successful completion of a course of study, which typically takes three to four weeks or 40 hours of instruction. To receive the Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification, applicants must pass an exam administered by an accredited organization such as ASQ (American Society for Quality). The cost of the certification varies depending on the provider but typically ranges from $1,000 to $2,000.

Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Certification:

Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Certification is a professional certification that demonstrates an individual’s advanced knowledge and experience in the Lean Six Sigma methodology. The certification is designed to provide individuals with the skills to identify and eliminate waste, improve process performance, and increase customer satisfaction. The certification requires successful completion of a course of study, which typically takes six months or 200 hours of instruction. To receive the Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Certification, applicants must pass an exam administered by an accredited organization such as ASQ (American Society for Quality). The cost of the certification varies depending on the provider but typically ranges from $2,500 to $3,500.

8. ITIL Foundation Certification

ITIL Foundation Certification is an entry-level certification in the IT Service Management (ITSM) framework, which provides a comprehensive set of best practices for managing IT services. It is designed to help organizations improve their service delivery and customer satisfaction. The certification is offered by the Axelos Global Best Practice organization, and it is recognized worldwide.

The ITIL Foundation Certification is a three-hour exam that tests your knowledge of the core concepts of ITSM, including service strategy, service design, service transition, service operation, continual service improvement, and the roles and responsibilities associated with each process. To get certified, you must pass this exam with at least 65% marks.

To prepare for the ITIL Foundation Certification exam, you can take an online course or attend a training class. There are many providers offering both online and classroom courses to help you learn the material and prepare for the exam. These courses usually last around two days and cost between $400-$600 USD.

Once you have completed your coursework or training class, you can register for the ITIL Foundation Certification exam through one of its accredited examination centers or via an online proctoring platform such as Pearson VUE or Prometric. The cost of taking the exam varies depending on where you take it but typically ranges from $200-$300 USD.

Once you have passed the exam, you will receive your official ITIL Foundation Certificate from Axelos Global Best Practice organization within four weeks after passing your test.

9. CompTIA Project+ Certification

CompTIA Project+ is a certification that validates an individual’s knowledge and skills in project management. It is designed to help professionals demonstrate their ability to initiate, plan, execute, monitor and close a project. The certification covers the entire project life cycle from initiation to closure, as well as related topics such as risk management, quality assurance and communication.

It takes approximately 40 hours of study time to prepare for the CompTIA Project+ exam. The exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions and must be completed within 90 minutes. To obtain the CompTIA Project+ certification, you must pass the exam with a minimum score of 750 out of 900.

To get the CompTIA Project+ certification, you must first purchase an exam voucher from CompTIA or one of its authorized partners. Once you have purchased your voucher, you can register for the exam online or by phone. You will then receive instructions on how to schedule your exam at a nearby testing center.

The cost of obtaining the CompTIA Project+ certification varies depending on where you purchase your voucher from; however it typically ranges from $250 - $400 USD.

10. Microsoft Project 2016/2019 Certification

Microsoft Project 2016/2019 Certification is an official certification program offered by Microsoft. It is designed to help professionals demonstrate their expertise in using the Microsoft Project 2016/2019 software. The certification covers topics such as project management, scheduling, budgeting, resource management, and reporting.

It takes approximately 8-10 hours to complete the certification exam depending on the individual’s familiarity with the software. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions and requires a passing score of 700 out of 1000 points in order to receive the certification.

To get certified, individuals must first purchase an exam voucher from Microsoft or a third-party provider and then register for the exam at a Pearson VUE testing center. Once registered, individuals can take the exam at any time within one year of purchasing their voucher.

The cost of the Microsoft Project 2016/2019 Certification varies depending on where you purchase your exam voucher, but typically ranges between $150-$200 USD.

Do You Really Need a PMO Manager Certificate?

The short answer is no, you do not need a PMO Manager Certificate in order to be successful in the field of project management. However, depending on the specific requirements of your organization and the nature of the projects you will be managing, having a PMO Manager Certificate may prove beneficial.

A PMO Manager Certificate indicates that an individual has completed specialized training and has acquired the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively lead a project management office (PMO). A PMO is responsible for providing guidance and direction to ensure projects are successful. The certificate demonstrates that the holder understands the principles of project management and can apply them to their work. It also shows they have a good understanding of how to manage resources, plan activities, delegate tasks, track progress, evaluate outcomes and report on results.

Having a PMO Manager Certificate can give you an edge when competing for jobs or promotions in project management. It can also help demonstrate your commitment to professional development and show potential employers that you are dedicated to staying up-to-date with industry trends. Additionally, it may provide access to networks or resources that would otherwise be inaccessible without having this certification.

Ultimately, whether or not you need a PMO Manager Certificate depends on your particular situation. If your organization requires it or if you feel it will give you an advantage in your career then pursuing one may be worth considering.

Related: PMO Manager Resume Examples

FAQs About PMO Manager Certifications

1. What is a PMO Manager Certification?

Answer: A PMO Manager Certification is a professional certification that demonstrates an individual's knowledge and expertise in the field of Project Management Office (PMO) management. It provides a way for employers to recognize and validate the skills and competencies of those in the PMO profession.

2. How do I become certified as a PMO Manager?

Answer: To become certified as a PMO Manager, one must first complete an accredited training program, attend required courses, pass an exam, and meet any additional requirements set by the certification body or organization offering the certification.

3. How long does it take to get certified?

Answer: The length of time it takes to get certified depends on the type of certification being pursued, but typically ranges from six months to two years.

4. What are the benefits of becoming certified as a PMO Manager?

Answer: Becoming certified as a PMO Manager can open up many opportunities for career growth and advancement, as well as provide recognition from employers that you have attained an industry standard level of knowledge and experience in project management office management. Additionally, obtaining certification may also lead to higher salaries and job security.

5. What types of certifications are available for PMO Managers?

Answer: There are several types of certifications available for PMO Managers including Certified Project Management Office Professional (CPMOP), Certified Project Management Office Administrator (CPMA), Certified Project Management Office Analyst (CPMA-A), Certified Project Management Office Practitioner (CPMA-P) and Certified Project Management Office Specialist (CPMS).