Top 10 Project Supervisor Certifications

Certifications for a project supervisor are important in the job market as they demonstrate a high level of competency and knowledge in the field. They are evidence that an individual has acquired the necessary skills and qualifications to be successful in their role. Certifications provide employers with assurance that the project supervisor is knowledgeable and capable of managing projects according to industry standards. Additionally, certifications can help a project supervisor stand out from other applicants when seeking employment opportunities. Furthermore, certifications may also serve as a gateway to additional career advancement opportunities, such as higher-level positions or specialized roles.

The article reviews and explains how the top certifications for Project Supervisors can help to advance their career.

What are Project Supervisor Certifications?

Project supervisor certification is a type of professional certification that is designed to help individuals demonstrate their knowledge and expertise in the field of project management. It typically involves taking a course or program that covers fundamental, intermediate, and advanced topics related to project management. The course will usually include topics such as budgeting, scheduling, risk management, communication, and team dynamics. After completing the course, those who pass will receive a certificate of completion which can be used to demonstrate their qualifications when applying for jobs or promotions within their organization.

Having project supervisor certification can help individuals stand out from other applicants when applying for jobs within the field of project management. It also shows employers that an individual has taken the initiative to learn more about project management and has invested time into developing their skills. Additionally, having this certification may also lead to better job opportunities or higher salaries due to the increased knowledge and experience it provides. Finally, having this certification can also help individuals stay up-to-date with changing trends in project management as well as giving them access to valuable resources that can help improve their performance on projects.

Pro Tip: Before signing up for a project supervisor certification program, make sure to research the course curriculum and instructor qualifications. It is important that you choose a program that provides comprehensive training and support from knowledgeable professionals.

Related: What does a Project Supervisor do?

Top 10 Project Supervisor Certifications

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

1. Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification

Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification is a globally recognized certification for project managers. It is offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI), and it is designed to demonstrate a project manager's proficiency in the principles of project management. The PMP certification requires applicants to have both experience and education in project management, and to pass an examination administered by PMI.

To obtain the PMP certification, applicants must first meet certain eligibility requirements. These include having a minimum of three years of professional experience leading projects, as well as 4,500 hours of leading and directing projects. Additionally, applicants must have 35 hours of project management education or training from an accredited institution.

Once the eligibility requirements are met, applicants can register for the PMP exam through the PMI website. The exam consists of 200 multiple-choice questions that cover five areas: initiating, planning, executing, monitoring & controlling, and closing. The test takes four hours to complete and costs $405 for members of PMI or $555 for non-members.

Successful completion of the exam results in earning the PMP certification which is valid for three years before needing to be renewed. To maintain active status, certified professionals must earn 60 professional development units (PDUs) every three years through activities such as attending conferences or taking courses related to project management.

2. Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) Certification

Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) Certification is a professional certification offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI). It is designed to demonstrate an individual’s knowledge and understanding of project management principles and practices. The CAPM certification is ideal for those who are new to project management, or those who need to demonstrate their commitment to the profession.

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

To obtain the CAPM certification, applicants must pass the exam with a score of at least 61%. Once certified, individuals may use the designation “Certified Associate in Project Management” after their name.

The cost of obtaining the CAPM certification varies depending on whether you are a PMI member or not. For non-members, it costs $225 USD to register for the exam and $150 USD for members. Additionally, there is an annual maintenance fee of $60 USD for members and $150 USD for non-members.

Overall, it typically takes around one month to complete all steps necessary to become a Certified Associate in Project Management.

3. Agile Certified Practitioner (ACP) Certification

Agile Certified Practitioner (ACP) Certification is a professional certification program designed to recognize and validate the skills of professionals in Agile project management. It is offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI) and is based on the PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP) exam.

The ACP certification requires applicants to have a minimum of 21 contact hours of training in agile practices, 1,500 hours of general project experience within the last five years, and 8,000 hours of work experience in agile project teams or environments within the last three years. The exam itself consists of 120 multiple-choice questions that must be completed within three hours.

In order to get certified as an ACP, you must first register for the PMI-ACP exam and pay the associated fee. After registering for the exam, you will need to complete 21 contact hours of training in agile practices from an approved provider. Once your training is complete, you can then take the PMI-ACP exam. Upon successful completion of the exam, you will receive your ACP certification.

The cost for taking the PMI-ACP exam varies depending on where you take it and what type of membership you have with PMI. Generally speaking, nonmembers are charged $435 USD while members are charged $375 USD for taking the exam.

4. PRINCE2 Foundation and Practitioner Certifications

PRINCE2 (Projects IN Controlled Environments) is a structured project management method and practitioner certification program. It is used extensively in the UK public sector and has been adopted by many private companies, especially in Europe.

The PRINCE2 Foundation Certification is designed to provide an understanding of the principles and terminology of the PRINCE2 methodology. It is a prerequisite for taking the Practitioner Certification exam. The Foundation Certification can be completed in one or two days depending on the course format, and it costs around £400-£500.

The PRINCE2 Practitioner Certification builds on the knowledge gained from the Foundation Certification and provides a more detailed understanding of how to apply PRINCE2 in practice. The Practitioner exam consists of 8 questions that must be completed within 2 hours and 30 minutes. It costs around £600-£700 and can be taken online or at an accredited training centre.

In order to become certified as a PRINCE2 Practitioner, you must pass both the Foundation and Practitioner exams with a score of 55% or higher. Both certifications are valid for three years after which time they must be renewed by taking an accredited training course or re-taking the exams.

5. 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 program that provides individuals with the knowledge and skills to lead and manage improvement projects in their organization. It is designed to help organizations improve their processes by reducing waste, eliminating errors, and increasing efficiency. The program typically takes four to eight weeks to complete, depending on the individual's prior knowledge of Lean Six Sigma principles. To become certified, individuals must pass an exam administered by an accredited body such as ASQ or IASSC. The cost of the certification varies depending on where it is taken, but typically ranges from $500-$2000.

Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Certification: Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Certification is a professional certification program for those who wish to take on more advanced roles within their organization. This program builds upon the foundational knowledge gained through the Green Belt program and focuses on developing leadership skills necessary for successful project management and process improvement initiatives. The program typically takes eight to twelve weeks to complete, depending on the individual's prior knowledge of Lean Six Sigma principles. To become certified, individuals must pass an exam administered by an accredited body such as ASQ or IASSC. The cost of the certification varies depending on where it is taken, but typically ranges from $1000-$3000.

6. Project Management Institute – Risk Management Professional (PMI-RMP) Certification

The Project Management Institute - Risk Management Professional (PMI-RMP) certification is a globally recognized credential that validates an individual’s ability to identify, assess, and manage project risks. It is designed for professionals who have experience in risk management and are looking to demonstrate their expertise and advance their career.

To obtain the PMI-RMP certification, applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Have a minimum of 4500 hours of professional experience in project risk management within the last 5 years; or
• Have a minimum of 3000 hours of professional experience in project risk management within the last 5 years and hold a secondary degree (high school diploma, associate’s degree or global equivalent); or
• Have a minimum of 1500 hours of professional experience in project risk management within the last 5 years and hold a bachelor's degree or global equivalent.

In addition to meeting these requirements, applicants must also pass an exam consisting of 150 multiple-choice questions. The exam covers topics such as risk planning, monitoring and control, risk identification and analysis, stakeholder engagement, communication management, organizational processes for risk management, and more. The exam takes 3 hours to complete.

The cost for the PMI-RMP certification varies depending on whether you are already a PMI member or not. For non-members, the cost is $555 USD; for members it is $405 USD. There may also be additional fees associated with taking the exam depending on your location.

7. Scrum Master Certification

Scrum Master Certification is a professional certification program designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated their knowledge and experience in the Scrum framework. It is an internationally recognized credential that validates an individual’s ability to effectively lead and manage Scrum projects.

The certification process typically takes 4-6 weeks to complete depending on the provider and exam format chosen. To become certified, individuals must pass a rigorous exam that tests their knowledge of the Scrum methodology, its principles, processes, and best practices. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions as well as scenario-based questions that require candidates to demonstrate their understanding of the material by applying it to real-world situations.

In order to get certified, individuals must first register with a certification provider such as the Scrum Alliance or Professional Scrum Master (PSM). After registering, they will receive access to study materials such as books, videos, online courses, and practice exams. Once they feel prepared for the exam, they can schedule it with the provider.

The cost of becoming certified varies depending on the provider chosen but typically ranges from $250-$500 USD. Additionally, some providers may offer discounts for groups or those who are already members of their organization.

8. ITIL Foundation Certificate in IT Service Management

The ITIL Foundation Certificate in IT Service Management is a globally recognized qualification that provides individuals with the knowledge and skills to effectively manage IT services. It is designed for professionals who are involved in the delivery, support, and management of IT services. The certification is based on the ITIL framework, which is an internationally accepted best practice approach to IT service management.

The certification consists of two levels: Foundation and Practitioner. The Foundation level focuses on understanding the basic concepts and terminology of the ITIL framework, while the Practitioner level covers how to apply these concepts in practice.

It typically takes around 40 hours of study to complete the Foundation level, depending on your experience and learning style. The exam consists of 40 multiple-choice questions and must be completed within 60 minutes. To pass you need to score at least 65% (26 out of 40).

To get certified you will need to take an accredited training course or self-study using official materials such as books or eLearning courses. You will then need to book an exam through an Accredited Training Organization (ATO) or Pearson VUE testing center.

The cost of getting certified varies depending on where you take your training course and whether you use official materials or not. Generally speaking, it should cost between $200 - $1,000 USD for both the training course and exam fees combined.

9. CompTIA Project+ Certification

CompTIA Project+ is an industry-recognized certification that validates the knowledge and skills of project managers. It is designed to assess a candidate’s ability to initiate, plan, execute, monitor and close projects on time and within budget. The certification covers topics such as project scope management, scheduling, risk management, communication and more.

The CompTIA Project+ exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions which must be completed in 90 minutes or less. To get certified, you must pass the exam with a score of 750 or higher on a scale of 100-900.

To prepare for the CompTIA Project+ exam, you can take an online course or attend an instructor-led training program. You can also use study guides and practice tests to help you prepare for the exam.

The cost of the CompTIA Project+ certification varies depending on where you take the exam. Generally speaking, it costs around $300 USD to take the exam at a testing center.

10. Microsoft Project 2016/2019 Certification

Microsoft Project 2016/2019 Certification is a professional certification program offered by Microsoft to validate the skills and knowledge of individuals who use Microsoft Project 2016/2019. This certification is designed to recognize those individuals who have demonstrated the ability to successfully plan, execute, and manage projects using Microsoft Project 2016/2019.

The certification process typically takes two to three months to complete. The first step is to register for the exam through the Microsoft Learning website. Once registered, you will need to complete an online training course and then take the exam at a Pearson VUE testing center.

The cost of the exam varies depending on your location but generally ranges from $150-$200 USD. After passing the exam, you will receive an official certificate from Microsoft that validates your skills in using Microsoft Project 2016/2019. You can also add this certification to your resume or LinkedIn profile as proof of your expertise in project management with Microsoft Project 2016/2019.

Do You Really Need a Project Supervisor Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on the type of project you are working on and the level of responsibility that comes with it. In some cases, a Project Supervisor Certificate may be required by your employer or client in order to prove that you have adequate knowledge and experience to manage a project. In other cases, it may be beneficial to obtain one as it can help demonstrate your commitment to the profession and your dedication to professional development.

For those who are working on small-scale projects, such as managing a single event or developing a website for a business, a Project Supervisor Certificate might not be necessary. However, for those who are taking on larger scale projects, such as managing multiple teams or overseeing an entire organization’s operations, having a certificate could prove beneficial. It shows employers that you have taken the time and effort to become knowledgeable about the processes involved in running successful projects.

Having a certification also proves that you have invested in yourself and your career by learning more about how to effectively manage projects. It can also demonstrate your ability to think strategically and creatively when approaching complex tasks. Ultimately, obtaining a Project Supervisor Certificate can provide you with greater job opportunities and better pay since employers will see you as someone who is committed to their profession and has taken the initiative to enhance their skillset.

Related: Project Supervisor Resume Examples

FAQs About Project Supervisor Certifications

1. What is a Project Supervisor Certification?

Answer: A Project Supervisor Certification is a certification that recognizes an individual's ability to plan, manage, and oversee projects from start to finish. It is designed to demonstrate the knowledge and skills required to be successful in project management roles.

2. How long does it take to complete a Project Supervisor Certification?

Answer: The length of time required for completion of a Project Supervisor Certification varies depending on the program you pursue. Generally, programs can range from one week up to two years in duration.

3. What topics are covered in a Project Supervisor Certification program?

Answer: Topics covered in a Project Supervisor Certification program can vary depending on the specific program you choose, but may include project planning, risk management, scheduling and budgeting, communication and team building, quality assurance and control, and more.

4. How much does it cost to obtain a Project Supervisor Certification?

Answer: The cost of obtaining a Project Supervisor Certification can vary depending on the program you choose; however, generally speaking prices range from $500 - $5,000 USD.

5. Are there any prerequisites for obtaining a Project Supervisor Certification?

Answer: Prerequisites for obtaining a Project Supervisor Certification can vary depending on the specific program you choose; however, most programs require at least some prior experience in project management or related fields as well as completion of certain courses or exams prior to certification eligibility.