Top 10 Software Product Manager Certifications

Certifications are important for software product managers in the job market because they demonstrate a level of expertise and knowledge about the product and the industry. Certifications can also help differentiate you from other candidates by showing that you have taken the time to learn more about your field, which can give employers confidence in your abilities. Additionally, certifications can provide recognition and credibility within the industry, making it easier to network and find new opportunities.

This article reviews some of the top certifications for Software Product Managers and explains how they can help to advance a software product manager's career.

What are Software Product Manager Certifications?

Software Product Manager Certification is a type of certification program that provides professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to become successful software product managers. The certification program typically includes courses on software development methodologies, product management principles, software project management, and other related topics. The program also covers the role of a software product manager in the industry, such as understanding customer needs, developing business strategies, and working with stakeholders. By obtaining this certification, professionals can demonstrate their expertise in product management and show potential employers that they are qualified to manage complex software projects. With this certification, professionals can also gain access to higher-level positions or receive promotions within their current organization.

Pro Tip: To maximize the value of software product manager certification, focus on learning practical skills such as user experience design, market research, and project management. This will give you a competitive edge when applying for jobs in the field. Additionally, it's important to stay up to date on industry trends and best practices to ensure that your certifications remain relevant.

Related: What does a Software Product Manager do?

Top 10 Software Product Manager Certifications

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

1. Certified Product Manager (CPM)

Certified Product Manager (CPM) is a professional certification program created to provide product managers with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in their role. The CPM certification is designed to equip product managers with the essential tools and techniques for successful product management.

The CPM program consists of two parts: an online self-study course and a proctored exam. The online self-study course covers topics such as product strategy, market analysis, customer segmentation, competitive analysis, pricing, product launch, and more. This course takes approximately 10-15 hours to complete. After completing the course, you can take the proctored exam which tests your knowledge of the material covered in the course. The exam is offered at select testing centers around the world and takes about 2 hours to complete.

To get certified as a CPM, you must successfully pass both parts of the program: the online self-study course and the proctored exam. The cost of getting certified as a CPM depends on where you are taking your exam; however, it typically ranges from $500-$1,000 USD.

2. Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO)

A Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO) is a professional certification for individuals who have a deep understanding of the Scrum framework and the role of a Product Owner. The CSPO certification is designed to demonstrate an individual’s knowledge and experience in managing successful product development using Scrum.

The CSPO certification requires applicants to complete a two-day, instructor-led course focused on the fundamentals of Scrum, the role of the Product Owner, and how to effectively apply Scrum principles and techniques. After completing the course, applicants must pass an exam administered by the Scrum Alliance to become certified.

The cost of obtaining a CSPO certification varies depending on where you take the course. Generally, it costs between $1,000 and $2,000 USD for both the course and exam fees.

In order to get your CSPO certification you must first attend an approved training program offered by either an accredited training provider or an experienced Certified Scrum Trainer (CST). Once you have completed your training program, you will be eligible to take the exam administered by the Scrum Alliance which will certify you as a Certified Scrum Product Owner.

3. Certified Agile Product Manager (CAPM)

The Certified Agile Product Manager (CAPM) is a certification program designed to recognize product managers who have demonstrated their knowledge and skills in Agile product management. The CAPM credential is offered by the Scaled Agile Academy, which is an organization dedicated to helping organizations adopt and scale agile practices.

The CAPM certification requires applicants to pass an exam that covers topics such as Agile principles, product visioning, product roadmap development, release planning, customer feedback, stakeholder management, and more. To be eligible for the exam, applicants must have at least two years of experience in a product management role or equivalent work experience.

The exam itself takes approximately three hours to complete and consists of 150 multiple-choice questions. The cost of the exam is $495 USD and it can be taken online or in person at one of the Scaled Agile Academy’s test centers around the world.

Once you pass the exam, you will receive your Certified Agile Product Manager (CAPM) certificate and badge which you can use to demonstrate your expertise in Agile product management. Additionally, you will be added to the Scaled Agile Academy’s directory of certified professionals so potential employers can easily find your credentials.

4. Certified Professional Product Manager (CPPM)

Certified Professional Product Manager (CPPM) is a professional certification program designed to recognize and validate the skills of experienced product managers. It is administered by the Association of International Product Management and Marketing (AIPMM). The CPPM certification is an internationally recognized credential that demonstrates a mastery of the core principles, processes, tools, and techniques required for successful product management.

To become certified as a CPPM, applicants must demonstrate their knowledge and experience in product management through an extensive application process. This includes completing an online application form, providing references from colleagues or employers who can attest to their expertise in product management, submitting a resume detailing their experience in the field, and passing an online assessment.

The entire process typically takes about three months to complete. Once all requirements are met, applicants will receive their official CPPM certification from AIPMM.

The cost of becoming a Certified Professional Product Manager varies depending on where you live and your level of experience. Generally speaking, it costs around $500 USD to apply for the program and take the assessment.

5. PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)

PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP) is a certification offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI) that recognizes an individual’s expertise in using agile principles, practices, and tools to successfully deliver projects. The PMI-ACP is designed for professionals who have experience working on agile teams and want to demonstrate their knowledge of agile project management.

It typically takes around three months to prepare for the PMI-ACP exam. This includes studying the PMI Agile Practice Guide and taking an approved training course. The exam consists of 120 multiple choice questions and must be completed within 3 hours.

To become a PMI-ACP, you must have 2,000 hours of general project experience within the last 5 years, 1,500 hours of agile project experience within the last 3 years, and 21 contact hours of agile training. You must also pass an examination administered by PMI.

The cost of the PMI-ACP certification is $435 for members of PMI and $495 for nonmembers.

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

The ICAgile Certified Professional in Agile Product Management (ICP-APM) is a certification program designed to help professionals gain the skills and knowledge needed to excel in product management roles within an agile environment. This certification is offered by the International Consortium for Agile (ICAgile).

The ICP-APM certification requires learners to complete a two-day course, which covers topics such as agile principles, product ownership, user stories, backlog grooming, release planning, and more. At the end of the course, learners must pass an examination to receive their certification.

To become certified as an ICP-APM, learners must first register with ICAgile and pay the associated fee. After registering, they can then find an accredited training provider offering the two-day course. Once they have completed the course and passed the exam, they will receive their certificate.

The cost of becoming an ICP-APM varies depending on the training provider chosen; however, most providers charge around $1,500 USD for the two-day course.

7. Certified Software Product Manager (CSPM)

Certified Software Product Manager (CSPM) is a professional certification for software product managers. It is designed to recognize the knowledge and skills required to be successful in the software product management field. The CSPM certification is offered through the Software Product Management Institute (SPMI).

The CSPM certification requires candidates to have a minimum of two years of experience in software product management, as well as a bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience. Candidates must also pass an exam that covers topics such as product strategy, product life-cycle management, customer requirements analysis, market research, and pricing strategies.

It typically takes about 6-12 months to complete the CSPM certification process. The cost of the program varies depending on whether you are taking it online or in person, but it typically ranges from $2,000-$4,000. To get started with the CSPM program, you will need to register for an SPMI membership and pay for the exam fee. Once you have registered for the program and paid your fees, you will receive access to study materials and resources that will help you prepare for the exam. After passing the exam, you will receive your official CSPM certificate.

8. Project Management Institute – Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)

The Project Management Institute – Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP) is a certification offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI) that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated knowledge and skills in agile project management. The PMI-ACP certification is designed to provide professionals with the necessary skills to successfully lead and manage projects using agile methodologies. This certification is ideal for those who are already working in project management, as well as those who are looking to enter the field.

To become certified, applicants must meet certain prerequisites, including holding a current PMP certification or having at least 2,000 hours of general project experience within the last five years, 1,500 hours of agile project experience within the last three years, and 21 contact hours of formal training in agile practices.

Once these prerequisites are met, applicants can register for the PMI-ACP exam. The exam consists of 120 multiple choice questions and takes three hours to complete. It covers topics such as agile principles and values, team dynamics and performance, planning and monitoring progress, managing stakeholders’ expectations, delivering products/services/results, and more.

The cost of taking the PMI-ACP exam varies depending on whether you are a member or non-member of PMI; members pay $435 while non-members pay $495. After passing the exam you will be awarded your PMI-ACP certificate which is valid for three years. To maintain your certification you must earn 30 professional development units (PDUs) every three years.

9. International Association of Software Architects – Professional Software Product Manager Certification (IASA-PSPMC)

The International Association of Software Architects – Professional Software Product Manager Certification (IASA-PSPMC) is a professional certification program designed to recognize the skills and knowledge of software product managers. It is the only certification program that focuses on the technical aspects of software product management, such as requirements gathering, design, development, testing, delivery, and maintenance. The IASA-PSPMC is recognized by leading software companies worldwide as a mark of excellence in software product management.

The IASA-PSPMC certification requires candidates to complete an online application form and submit a portfolio containing evidence of their experience and qualifications in software product management. Candidates must also pass a written exam covering topics such as project management principles, risk management, requirements engineering, design & architecture, testing & quality assurance, delivery & deployment, and maintenance & support.

The IASA-PSPMC certification process typically takes between six months to one year to complete depending on the candidate’s experience level and availability. The cost for the certification varies depending on the country in which it is taken; however it typically costs around $1,000 USD or more.

To get certified with IASA-PSPMC you must first complete an online application form and submit your portfolio for review. Once accepted into the program you will need to take and pass a written exam covering topics related to software product management. After passing the exam you will receive your certificate from IASA confirming your successful completion of the program.

10. International Institute of Business Analysis – Certified Business Analysis Professional – Software Products Management Certification (IIBA-CBAP/SPMC).

The International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA) Certified Business Analysis Professional – Software Products Management Certification (IIBA-CBAP/SPMC) is a professional certification designed to recognize individuals who have achieved a high level of expertise in the field of software products management. This certification is intended for those who are responsible for managing and delivering software product development projects, from concept through delivery. It is also suitable for those who are involved in the planning, design, implementation, and maintenance of software products.

The IIBA-CBAP/SPMC certification requires candidates to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of project management principles and practices, as well as their ability to apply them in the context of software product management. The exam consists of multiple choice questions that assess the candidate's knowledge and skills related to software product management. Candidates must pass an online assessment prior to taking the exam.

It typically takes two to three months to complete the requirements for this certification, depending on how much time you can dedicate to studying each week. To get started, you need to register with IIBA and pay an application fee. You then need to complete a self-assessment questionnaire that will help determine which topics you need to focus on during your preparation for the exam. After completing your self-assessment, you can purchase study materials from IIBA or other sources. Once you have studied all of the required material, you can take the online assessment and then schedule your exam date with IIBA.

The cost of obtaining this certification varies depending on where you live and what type of study materials you choose to purchase. Generally speaking, it costs around $500 USD for registration fees and study materials; however, there may be additional fees associated with taking the exam itself or purchasing additional study materials if needed.

Do You Really Need a Software Product Manager Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on the individual and their career goals. For some, a Software Product Manager Certificate may be beneficial in helping them stand out from other candidates when applying for software product management positions. It can also demonstrate a level of commitment and dedication to the field, which employers value.

For others, a Software Product Manager Certificate may not be necessary if they already have the necessary experience and knowledge in software product management. Employers may instead look at an individual’s track record of accomplishments or previous work experience as indicators of their abilities.

Ultimately, it is up to each individual to decide whether or not they need a Software Product Manager Certificate in order to advance their career. If they believe that having such certification will make them more competitive in the job market, then it may be worth pursuing. However, if they already have the necessary qualifications and experience required for software product management positions, then pursuing certification may not be necessary.

Related: Software Product Manager Resume Examples

FAQs About Software Product Manager Certifications

Q1. What is a Software Product Manager Certification?

A1. A Software Product Manager Certification is a credential that demonstrates an individual's knowledge and understanding of the principles and practices of software product management. It typically covers topics such as product strategy, market research, user experience design, product development lifecycle, and more.

Q2. How do I become certified as a Product Manager?

A2. To become certified as a Product Manager, you must first complete an accredited program in software product management. These programs are typically offered by universities, colleges, or specialized training providers and include courses on topics such as product strategy, market research and user experience design. Once you have completed the program, you may need to pass an exam in order to be certified.

Q3. What is the difference between a Software Product Manager Certification and other certifications?

A3. A Software Product Manager Certification focuses specifically on the principles and practices of software product management while other certifications may cover broader topics such as project management or business analysis. Additionally, some certifications require additional steps beyond completing an accredited program in order to be fully certified (such as passing an exam).

Q4. Are there any prerequisites for becoming a Certified Software Product Manager?

A4: Yes, most programs require that applicants have prior experience with software development or related fields before they can apply for certification as a Software Product Manager. Additionally, depending on the provider of the certification program you choose to pursue, there may be additional prerequisites such as minimum educational qualifications or specific job roles/titles that must be met before applying for certification.

Q5: Is there any continuing education required after becoming certified?

A5: Yes, most providers of software product manager certifications will require their holders to complete periodic continuing education courses in order to maintain their credentials over time and keep up with changes in the field of software product management