Top 10 Project Leader Certifications

Certifications are an important part of a project leader’s job market success. They demonstrate to potential employers that the project leader has the necessary skills and knowledge to be successful in the role. Certifications also show that the project leader is committed to professional development, which can be attractive to employers looking for reliable and motivated employees. Additionally, certifications can help a project leader stand out from other applicants and give them an edge in a competitive job market. Ultimately, certifications provide evidence that a project leader is qualified and capable of leading projects effectively, making them essential for success in the job market.

The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the top certifications for Project Leaders and explain how they can help further a project leader's career.

What are Project Leader Certifications?

Project leader certification is a type of professional certification that recognizes the knowledge and skills of individuals in leading successful projects. It is designed to help project leaders demonstrate their expertise and develop their leadership capabilities. The certification is typically earned through a combination of formal education, practical experience, and professional development courses.

Project leader certification can help individuals in many ways. It can provide them with an edge when it comes to career advancement opportunities. It can also give them the confidence that they need to successfully lead projects, as well as the ability to apply best practices in their work. Additionally, it can provide them with a greater understanding of how to manage teams effectively and efficiently. Finally, having this certification may make it easier for employers to identify and recruit qualified project leaders.

Pro Tip: Before embarking on a project leader certification program, be sure to research available certifications, understand the requirements for each certification and make sure the certification you choose is relevant to your industry. Additionally, it's important to determine what type of ongoing training is offered by the certifying organization and how long the certification will remain valid.

Related: What does a Project Leader do?

Top 10 Project Leader Certifications

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

1. Certified Project Management Professional (PMP)

Certified Project Management Professional (PMP) is a professional certification offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI). It is one of the most sought-after and respected project management certifications in the world. The PMP credential demonstrates that an individual has the knowledge and experience to lead and direct projects.

To become a PMP, individuals must meet certain educational and professional experience requirements, pass an exam, and agree to adhere to the PMI Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct.

It typically takes between 6-12 months to complete all of the requirements for PMP certification. To get started, individuals should review the eligibility criteria on the PMI website to determine if they meet the requirements for taking the exam. Once eligible, individuals can register for an exam date with Pearson VUE, pay any associated fees, study for the exam using resources provided by PMI or other third parties, and take the exam at their scheduled time.

The cost of getting certified as a PMP varies depending on whether you are a member or non-member of PMI. For members, it costs $405 to take the exam while non-members pay $555. In addition to these fees, there may be additional costs associated with studying for or preparing for the exam such as books or online courses.

2. Certified Scrum Master (CSM)

Certified Scrum Master (CSM) is a professional certification program designed to teach individuals the fundamentals of Scrum and how to apply them in their organization. It is an internationally recognized certification offered by the Scrum Alliance, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and advancing the use of Scrum.

The CSM certification requires completing a two-day course taught by a Certified Scrum Trainer (CST). The course covers topics such as the history of Scrum, roles and responsibilities, sprint planning and execution, product backlog management, and more. Upon successful completion of the course, participants must pass an online assessment in order to receive their CSM certification.

The cost for the CSM training varies depending on where it is taken and who is teaching it. Typically, the cost ranges from $1,000-$2,500 USD.

In order to maintain your CSM certification you must complete 20 Continuing Education Credits (CECs) every two years. CECs can be earned through attending conferences or other events related to Scrum or Agile development methods.

3. Agile Certified Practitioner (ACP)

Agile Certified Practitioner (ACP) is a certification program offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI). It is designed to recognize professionals who have demonstrated their knowledge and experience in applying agile principles, practices, and tools. The ACP certification validates an individual’s ability to effectively apply agile principles and practices to projects.

The ACP certification exam consists of 120 multiple-choice questions that must be completed within three hours. To become certified, applicants must pass the exam with a score of at least 60%.

In order to get the ACP certification, applicants must first complete 21 contact hours of formal education in agile project management. This can be done through PMI approved courses or self-study. After completing the required training, applicants can then register for the exam online or by mail.

The cost of the ACP certification varies depending on whether you are a member or non-member of PMI. For members, it costs $405 USD while non-members pay $495 USD.

4. PRINCE2 Foundation and Practitioner

PRINCE2 (Projects IN Controlled Environments) is a project management methodology that provides a framework for effective project management. It is based on seven principles, seven themes and seven processes that provide structure and guidance to ensure successful delivery of projects.

The PRINCE2 Foundation and Practitioner certification is the most popular and widely recognized qualification in the field of project management. The PRINCE2 Foundation certification is designed to provide an understanding of the PRINCE2 method while the Practitioner certification builds on this knowledge by teaching how to apply it in practice.

The PRINCE2 Foundation exam takes 2 hours and consists of 75 multiple choice questions. To pass, candidates must achieve a score of 55% or higher. The Practitioner exam takes 3 hours and consists of 8 scenario-based objective test questions. To pass, candidates must achieve a score of 50% or higher.

To obtain the PRINCE2 Foundation and Practitioner certifications, you must attend an accredited training course with an approved training provider. Depending on the provider, courses can range from one day for Foundation to three days for both Foundation and Practitioner combined, with prices varying accordingly.

5. ITIL Foundation Certification

ITIL Foundation Certification is a globally recognized certification program that provides an understanding of IT Service Management best practices. It is based on the IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL) framework, which is a set of guidelines and processes for managing IT services. The certification focuses on helping organizations improve their service delivery and customer satisfaction.

The ITIL Foundation certification exam typically takes between 1-2 hours to complete and consists of 40 multiple choice questions. To pass, you must get at least 65% of the questions correct.

To get certified, you must first complete an accredited ITIL Foundation training course from an approved provider such as PeopleCert or AXELOS. After completing the training course, you can register for the exam through the same provider or through a third-party testing center such as Pearson VUE or Prometric.

The cost of the ITIL Foundation Certification varies depending on where you take it and who provides it. Generally speaking, courses range from $500-$1,000 USD and exams range from $200-$300 USD.

6. Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification

Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification is a professional certification program that provides individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively lead Lean Six Sigma projects. It is designed to equip professionals with the ability to identify and eliminate waste in their organization’s processes, while improving quality and efficiency.

The Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification typically takes between 4-6 weeks to complete. The program consists of online or instructor-led training, which covers topics such as DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve & Control) methodology, project management, problem solving techniques and data analysis tools. After completing the training, individuals must pass an exam in order to receive their certification.

Individuals can obtain Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification through a variety of sources. Many organizations offer online courses or in-person classes that provide instruction on the concepts and techniques required for success on the exam. Additionally, there are several third-party providers who offer comprehensive certification programs that include both training and testing materials.

The cost of obtaining Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification varies depending on the provider and type of program chosen. Generally speaking, online courses range from $500-$2,000 USD while full certification programs can range from $1,500-$3,000 USD depending on the provider and length of the course.

7. Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)

Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) is a certification program offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI). It is designed to provide project managers with the knowledge, skills, and techniques necessary to successfully manage projects. The CAPM certification provides recognition for those who are new to project management and want to demonstrate their commitment to the profession.

The CAPM exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions that must be completed within three hours. To be eligible for the exam, applicants must have at least 1,500 hours of project experience or 23 hours of formal education in project management.

To get the CAPM certification, applicants must pass the exam with a score of at least 61%. After passing the exam, applicants will receive their CAPM certificate and digital badge.

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

8. 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 professionals who have an understanding of Agile principles and practices, and who can apply them in their work. The PMI-ACP certification demonstrates a professional’s experience, education, and competency in leading agile projects.

To obtain the PMI-ACP certification, you must meet certain requirements. These include having a minimum of 2,000 hours of general project experience within the last five years, 1,500 hours of agile project experience within the last three years, 21 contact hours of training in agile practices, and passing an exam.

The PMI-ACP exam consists of 120 multiple choice questions that must be completed within three hours. The cost for taking the exam is $435 for members of PMI and $495 for non-members.

Once you have met all the requirements and passed the exam, you will receive your PMI-ACP certificate. This certificate is valid for three years from the date it was issued. To maintain your certification status after this period has expired, you must complete 30 Professional Development Units (PDUs) every three years.

9. PMI Risk Management Professional (PMI-RMP)

PMI Risk Management Professional (PMI-RMP) is a certification offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI). It is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated their ability to effectively identify, analyze, and respond to project risks. This certification is ideal for those who are responsible for risk management activities within their organization.

To get the PMI-RMP certification, you must meet certain eligibility requirements, such as having a minimum of four years of professional experience in project risk management or related areas and at least 3,000 hours of leading and directing risk management activities across one or more projects. You must also pass an exam that consists of 150 multiple-choice questions. The exam covers topics such as risk management processes, tools and techniques, organizational influences on risk management, and stakeholder engagement.

The cost of the PMI-RMP certification varies depending on your membership status with PMI. Non-members will pay $405 for the exam fee while members will pay $315. In addition to the exam fee, there is also an application fee of $60 for non-members and $50 for members.

It typically takes about three months to prepare for the PMI-RMP exam. During this time you should review all relevant materials and practice sample questions to ensure you are ready for the test day.

10. Project Management Institute Scheduling Professional (PMI-SP)

The Project Management Institute Scheduling Professional (PMI-SP) is a certification program offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI). It is designed to recognize project scheduling experts who have demonstrated their knowledge and experience in the field of project scheduling. The PMI-SP credential is intended for those who are responsible for creating, maintaining, and controlling the schedule of a project.

It typically takes about two to three months to prepare for the PMI-SP exam. Preparation can involve taking classes or self-study using books and study guides. Individuals must also meet certain educational and professional experience requirements before they can sit for the exam.

To get the PMI-SP credential, individuals must first pass an exam administered by PMI. The exam consists of 200 multiple choice questions and has a three hour time limit. After passing the exam, individuals must submit an application to PMI that includes proof of their educational background and professional experience in project scheduling.

The cost of the PMI-SP certification varies depending on whether or not you are already a member of PMI. For non-members, it costs $405 USD to take the exam, plus an additional $60 USD application fee if you are approved to receive the certification after passing the exam. For members of PMI, it costs $315 USD to take the exam plus an additional $60 USD application fee if you are approved to receive the certification after passing the exam.

Do You Really Need a Project Leader Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on your individual goals and needs. If you are looking for a career in project management, then a Project Leader Certificate may be beneficial for you. It can help to demonstrate your knowledge of project management principles and practices, as well as show potential employers that you have the necessary skills to lead projects successfully.

On the other hand, if you already have experience leading projects or have been managing them successfully without any formal certification, then it may not be necessary for you to obtain a Project Leader Certificate. However, if you are interested in furthering your education and expanding your skillset, then a certificate could be beneficial. Additionally, many organizations prefer or require their project leaders to have a certificate before they will consider them for the position.

In short, whether or not you need a Project Leader Certificate is ultimately up to you and what your individual needs are. If it is something that interests you and could help further your career goals, then it could be worth pursuing.

Related: Project Leader Resume Examples

FAQs About Project Leader Certifications

1. What are the benefits of becoming a project leader certified?

Answer: Becoming a project leader certified can give you a competitive edge in the job market, demonstrate your expertise and knowledge, increase your professional credibility, help you stay up to date on industry trends, and give you access to exclusive resources.

2. What qualifications do I need to become project leader certified?

Answer: Generally, most certifications require that you have at least three years of experience as a project leader in addition to passing an exam. Depending on the certification program, other criteria such as education level or continuing education may also be required.

3. How long does it take to become project leader certified?

Answer: The length of time it takes to become certified depends on the certification program and how quickly you are able to complete the necessary requirements (including work experience, exams and other criteria). However, many programs offer accelerated paths that allow you to complete the process in 12-18 months.

4. How much does it cost to become project leader certified?

Answer: The cost of becoming certified varies depending on the certification program and any additional courses or materials needed for completion. Generally speaking, certification programs range from $500-$3000 USD.

5. What is the renewal process for maintaining my project leader certification?

Answer: Most certifications must be renewed every two years by submitting proof of continuing education credits or taking an exam again. Renewal fees vary depending on the certification program but typically range from $50-$200 USD per year.