Top 11 Product Manager Certifications

Certifications are important for product managers in the job market because they demonstrate a level of proficiency in the role. They can prove an individual’s knowledge, skills, and understanding of the specific areas related to product management. Certifications provide employers with assurance that a candidate is qualified to take on the responsibilities of a product manager. Having certifications also provides credibility to a candidate’s resume and could be a deciding factor between two applicants for the same position. Additionally, certifications can help open up opportunities for career advancement or even job-hopping as it proves that an individual has specialized knowledge and experience.

The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the most beneficial certifications for Product Managers and explain how they can help advance a product manager's career.

What are Product Manager Certifications?

Product Manager Certification is a professional certification program designed to help individuals develop the skills and knowledge necessary to become a successful product manager. The certification is offered by numerous organizations and provides training in areas such as product strategy, customer research, business analysis, project management, and user experience design. Product managers are responsible for managing the development of products from concept through launch and beyond. They play a key role in developing product roadmaps that define the vision, scope, and timeline for each product.

By obtaining a product manager certification, individuals can demonstrate their commitment to staying current with best practices in the field. It also helps them stand out from other job applicants when applying for positions in this highly competitive field. Becoming certified can provide an individual with more credibility when discussing technical concepts with colleagues or clients. In addition, companies often prefer to hire candidates who have taken the time to invest in their own professional development by obtaining a certification in their chosen field.

Overall, Product Manager Certification is an excellent way for individuals looking to advance their career to gain valuable skills and knowledge that will help them be more successful as a product manager.

Pro tip: Consider taking a product manager certification course to help you gain the skills and knowledge necessary for success in the field. Certification courses can provide you with valuable insights into the principles of product management, as well as hands-on experience with various tools and techniques used in the industry. Additionally, having a certification can make you more attractive to potential employers and give you an advantage when applying for jobs.

Related: What does a Product Manager do?

Top 11 Product Manager Certifications

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

1. Certified Product Manager (CPM)

Certified Product Manager (CPM) is a professional certification that recognizes the knowledge, skills, and abilities of product managers. It is designed to validate an individual’s expertise in the areas of product strategy, product design and development, product launch, and product lifecycle management.

The CPM program requires applicants to pass a comprehensive exam that covers topics such as market analysis, customer segmentation, pricing strategies, competitive analysis, product positioning, and more. The exam consists of multiple choice questions as well as essay-style questions. In order to become certified, applicants must achieve a passing score on the exam.

The CPM program takes approximately three months to complete depending on how much time an individual has available for studying. During this time period, applicants should review all of the material covered on the exam and practice answering sample questions.

In order to get certified as a CPM, individuals must first register with the Product Management Certification Institute (PMCI). Registration costs $295 USD and includes access to study materials and practice exams. After registering with PMCI, applicants can then take the CPM exam at any Prometric testing center around the world or online through ProctorU. The cost of taking the CPM exam is $395 USD plus any applicable taxes or fees.

Once an individual passes their CPM exam they will receive their official certification from PMCI which is valid for two years from the date of issue.

2. Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO)

Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO) is a certification program offered by the Scrum Alliance that recognizes professionals who have a thorough understanding of the Scrum framework and can demonstrate their ability to apply it in the workplace. The CSPO certification is designed to help product owners, business analysts, and other stakeholders understand how to use Scrum to deliver value quickly and efficiently.

The CSPO certification requires a two-day course that covers topics such as the fundamentals of Scrum, roles and responsibilities, working with stakeholders, creating user stories, managing backlogs, planning sprints, and more. After completing the course, participants must pass an online assessment to become certified.

The cost for the CSPO certification varies depending on the provider. Generally speaking, it costs around $1,000 USD for the two-day course and exam fee. Additionally, there may be additional fees for materials or travel expenses.

To become certified as a CSPO you must attend an approved training course from a Certified Training Organization (CTO). Once you have completed your training and passed your assessment you will receive your CSPO certificate from the Scrum Alliance.

3. Certified Agile Product Manager (CAPM)

Certified Agile Product Manager (CAPM) is a certification program offered by the Agile Alliance. It is designed to help product managers and other professionals understand the principles and practices of agile product management.

The CAPM certification requires that applicants have at least 1,500 hours of experience in product management or related roles, such as project management, business analysis, or software development. The exam consists of 150 multiple choice questions covering topics such as agile values and principles, product strategy, team dynamics, and customer collaboration.

It typically takes 3-4 months to prepare for the exam depending on how much time you are able to dedicate to studying. To get started, you should review the Agile Alliance’s official study guide which provides an overview of the topics covered in the exam. Additionally, there are several online resources available that provide practice exams and other study materials.

The cost of taking the CAPM exam is $225 USD for members of the Agile Alliance or $300 USD for non-members.

4. Professional Scrum Product Owner (PSPO)

Professional Scrum Product Owner (PSPO) is a certification offered by Scrum.org that validates an individual’s expertise in product ownership and their ability to effectively manage the product backlog. The PSPO certification is designed for experienced Product Owners who have a deep understanding of how to apply Scrum principles and practices to maximize value from products and services.

The PSPO certification is a two-day course that includes lectures, discussions, and exercises. It covers topics such as product vision, stakeholder management, creating user stories, release planning, and managing the product backlog.

To get the PSPO certification, you must first pass the Professional Scrum Product Owner I assessment with a score of 85% or higher. Once you have passed the assessment, you can register for the two-day Professional Scrum Product Owner II course. After completing the course, you will need to pass another assessment with a score of 85% or higher in order to receive your PSPO certification.

The cost of taking the PSPO I assessment is $150 USD and the cost of taking the PSPO II course is $1,200 USD.

5. AIPMM Certified Product Manager (AIPMM-CPM)

AIPMM Certified Product Manager (AIPMM-CPM) is a professional certification program offered by the Association of International Product Marketing & Management (AIPMM). The AIPMM-CPM certification is designed to recognize professionals who have achieved a high level of knowledge and experience in product management.

The AIPMM-CPM certification requires applicants to pass an exam that covers topics such as product strategy, product lifecycle, market analysis, product development, pricing and distribution. The exam consists of multiple choice and essay questions.

It typically takes 4-6 weeks to prepare for the AIPMM-CPM exam. Applicants must complete an online application form and pay a fee before they can take the exam.

The cost of the AIPMM-CPM certification varies depending on the country where you are taking the exam. In the United States, it costs $495 for members of AIPMM and $595 for non-members.

6. APMG International Agile Product Management Certification (APMG-AgilePM)

APMG International Agile Product Management Certification (APMG-AgilePM) is a certification for product managers and project managers who want to gain an understanding of the principles, practices, and tools used in agile product management. It is designed to help professionals understand how to apply agile methods to product management and project delivery.

The APMG-AgilePM certification consists of two parts: a Foundation exam and a Practitioner exam. The Foundation exam tests knowledge of the fundamentals of agile product management, while the Practitioner exam tests knowledge of how to apply those fundamentals in practice. Both exams must be passed in order to become certified.

The Foundation exam takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes, while the Practitioner exam takes approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes. Both exams are administered online via the APMG website or through an approved training provider.

The cost of the APMG-AgilePM certification varies by country, but typically ranges from $250-$400 USD for both exams combined. Additionally, there may be additional costs associated with taking an approved training course prior to taking the exams.

7. 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 an individual’s knowledge and experience in using agile practices in their projects. The PMI-ACP certification is one of the most popular certifications for project managers and those interested in agile methodology.

It typically takes between 3-6 months to prepare for the PMI-ACP exam, depending on your current knowledge and experience. To get certified, you must first meet the eligibility requirements which include having at least 2,000 hours of general project experience within the last five years and 1,500 hours of agile project experience within the last three years. You must also have 21 contact hours of formal agile training or education.

Once you have met all of these requirements, you can apply for the exam through PMI's website. The exam fee is $435 for members and $495 for nonmembers. The exam consists of 120 multiple choice questions that must be completed in three hours or less. After successfully passing the exam, you will receive your PMI-ACP certification which is valid for three years.

In order to maintain your certification status, you must complete 30 professional development units (PDUs) every three years. PDUs can be earned by attending training courses or conferences related to agile methodology or by participating in online webinars or workshops related to agile topics.

8. ICAgile Certified Professional in Agile Product Management (ICP-APM)

The ICAgile Certified Professional in Agile Product Management (ICP-APM) is a certification program that provides recognition for individuals who have demonstrated a comprehensive understanding of the principles, practices, and tools of agile product management. It is designed to help professionals develop the skills necessary to effectively manage product development projects using an agile methodology.

The ICP-APM certification requires candidates to complete an online course and pass a written exam. The online course typically takes 16 hours to complete and covers topics such as agile product ownership, user story mapping, product roadmaps, and more. After successful completion of the course, candidates must pass a two-hour written exam with a score of 70% or higher.

The cost for the ICP-APM certification program is $595 USD. This fee includes access to the online course materials and the exam fee.

9. ICAgile Certified Professional in Lean Product Management (ICP-LPM)

ICAgile Certified Professional in Lean Product Management (ICP-LPM) is a professional certification that validates an individual’s knowledge and skills in lean product management. It focuses on the principles of lean product management, which include customer focus, continuous improvement, and value-driven development. The certification covers topics such as customer discovery, product roadmapping, agile methodologies, user experience design, and analytics.

It typically takes around 40 hours to complete the ICP-LPM certification program. This includes completing online self-paced learning modules as well as attending instructor-led workshops. The online self-paced modules cover topics such as lean product management fundamentals, customer discovery and validation techniques, agile methodologies for product development, user experience design principles and practices, and analytics for decision making. The instructor-led workshops provide hands-on practice with the concepts covered in the online modules.

To obtain the ICP-LPM certification you must first complete all of the required learning modules and workshops. After completing these requirements you must pass an exam administered by ICAgile. Once you have passed the exam you will be awarded your ICP-LPM certification.

The cost of obtaining the ICP-LPM certification varies depending on where you take the courses and workshops from but typically ranges from $1,000 - $2,500 USD.

10. SAFe 5 Agilist Certification

SAFe 5 Agilist Certification is a certification program designed to help professionals learn the principles and practices of the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe). It is an industry-recognized certification that demonstrates an individual’s ability to apply SAFe principles and practices in their organization. The SAFe 5 Agilist Certification course takes two days to complete. This course provides a comprehensive understanding of the Lean-Agile mindset, as well as an understanding of how to execute and release value through Agile Release Trains.

To get certified, individuals must attend a two-day Leading SAFe course, pass the exam with a score of 80% or higher, and submit proof of completion. The cost for the certification varies depending on the provider but typically ranges from $800-$1,000 USD.

11. ITIL 4 Foundation Certification

ITIL 4 Foundation Certification is a globally recognized certification that validates an individual’s knowledge and understanding of the ITIL 4 framework. The ITIL 4 Foundation Certificate provides a comprehensive overview of the ITIL 4 service management framework, including key concepts, processes, and terminology. It is designed to help organizations improve their IT service delivery and customer experience.

The ITIL 4 Foundation exam typically takes about 60 minutes to complete and consists of 40 multiple-choice questions. To pass the exam, you must score at least 65%. The cost of the exam varies depending on your location, but it usually ranges from $200-$300 USD.

To get certified in ITIL 4 Foundation, you must first complete an accredited training course or self-study program. There are many online courses available that can be completed in as little as two days. Once you have completed your training, you can register for the exam through an accredited examination institute such as PeopleCert or AXELOS Global Accreditation Service (GAS).

Do You Really Need a Product Manager Certificate?

Product managers are responsible for guiding the success of a product and leading cross-functional teams in its development. A product manager certificate can help demonstrate to employers that you have the knowledge and skills needed to successfully manage products. While having a product manager certificate can be helpful, it is not necessary for success in this role.

In most cases, employers will look at your experience and qualifications when making hiring decisions. A product manager certificate may give you an advantage over other applicants, but it is not required to get hired as a product manager. Employers will often take into consideration any relevant experience or qualifications you have in addition to the certificate when making their decision.

In some cases, employers may prefer that candidates have a product management certification. In these situations, having a product management certification can give you an edge over other applicants who do not have one. However, even if the employer does not require it, having a certification may still be beneficial as it shows that you are committed to learning more about the field of product management and staying up-to-date on industry trends and best practices.

Ultimately, whether or not you decide to pursue a product management certification is up to you and depends on your own individual career goals. If you feel that having such a credential would be beneficial for your career path then it might be worth considering investing in one.

Related: Product Manager Resume Examples

FAQs About Product Manager Certifications

Q1: What is a Product Manager Certification?

A1: A Product Manager Certification is a professional certification that validates an individual's knowledge and experience in product management. It demonstrates the holder's understanding of product lifecycle management, product strategy, and market analysis.

Q2: Who should pursue Product Manager Certifications?

A2: Product Manager Certifications are designed for individuals who want to demonstrate their proficiency in product management. This could include those who are already in the field of product management or those who are looking to transition into the role.

Q3: How do I get certified as a Product Manager?

A3: There are several organizations that offer certifications for product managers. Depending on the organization, requirements may vary but typically include passing an exam and having relevant work experience in the field.

Q4: What is the cost of getting certified as a Product Manager?

A4: The cost of certification will depend on which organization you choose to certify with and what materials you need to purchase for preparation. Generally speaking, certifications range from $500-$3000 depending on the organization and materials needed.

Q5: Are there any prerequisites for getting certified as a Product Manager?

A5: Yes, most organizations require applicants to have a certain level of education or experience before they can apply for certification. Typically this would include having a degree in business or related field, or having some kind of related work experience such as project management or software engineering.