By Quick answer: Which project management certification is best in 2027?
- Gold standard — PMP ($425 members / $675 non-members).
- Beginners — CAPM ($225/$300) or Google Project Management.
- Agile — PMI-ACP, CSM or PSM I.
- Specialist — ITIL 4, Six Sigma, CBAP.
Key takeaways
- PMP needs 3–5 years of experience; plan CAPM or Google PM first if you're new.
- PMI membership often pays for itself through the exam discount.
- Agile credentials matter most in software and digital teams.
Project management is one of the few fields with a single dominant credential, the PMP. But PMP needs years of experience, so most people need a route to it. This ranking puts PMP first, then shows the beginner, agile and specialist certifications that fit around it.
Ten project management certifications at a glance
Ranked for this reader. Costs and formats come from each issuer's own page, checked on 3 November 2026; prices change, so confirm before you book.
| # | Certification | Cost | Time | Prove it free |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | PMP – Project Management ProfessionalPMI | $425 PMI members / $675 non-members1 | 240 minutes, 180 questions | Free test |
| 2 | CAPM – Certified Associate in Project ManagementPMI | $225 PMI members / $300 non-members2 | 180 minutes, 150 questions | Free test |
| 3 | Google Project Management Professional CertificateGoogle / Coursera | $49/mo Coursera plan3 | 6 months at 10 hours a week | Free test |
| 4 | PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)PMI | $435 PMI members / $495 non-members4 | 180 minutes, 120 questions | Free test |
| 5 | Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)Scrum Alliance | Included in a 2-day course price5 | 16-hour course, then a 50-question test | Free test |
| 6 | Professional Scrum Master I (PSM I)Scrum.org | Check the official page6 | Check issuer | Free test |
| 7 | ITIL 4 FoundationPeopleCert / AXELOS | Check the official page7 | Check issuer | Free test |
| 8 | Six Sigma Green Belt (CSSGB)ASQ | Check the official page8 | 100-question exam | Free test |
| 9 | CBAP – Certified Business Analysis ProfessionalIIBA | $145 application fee plus exam fee9 | Check issuer | Free test |
| 10 | AI for Business SpecializationWharton / Coursera | Coursera plan10 | Self-paced | Free test |
Prove it free before you pay for an exam
Take the free test first. Pay for an exam only when you pass.
Every pick above has a matching free practice test on Science of Apps, one of the world's largest libraries of free certification tests (1,200+). Check your level before you pay for an exam, or add a verifiable credential to LinkedIn while you study. (Disclosure: we publish these tests; the certifications above earn us nothing.)
- PMP Practice ExamPractise for PMP – Project Management Professional before you pay.Start free test →
- CAPM Practice ExamPractise for CAPM – Certified Associate in Project Management before you pay.Start free test →
- Project Management Fundamentals CertificationPractise for Google Project Management Professional Certificate before you pay.Start free test →
- PMI-ACP Practice ExamPractise for PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP) before you pay.Start free test →
Each certification, and the project career it builds
- PMIPMP – Project Management ProfessionalExperienced project managers$425 PMI members / $675 non-members
- PMICAPM – Certified Associate in Project ManagementEntry-level PMI credential$225 PMI members / $300 non-members
- CourseraGoogle Project Management Professional CertificateCareer changers$49/mo Coursera plan
PMP – Project Management Professional
- Cost
- $425 PMI members / $675 non-members1
- Format
- 240 minutes, 180 questions
- Entry
- 3–5 years leading projects (by education) plus 35 hours of training
The most recognised project management credential. 240 minutes, 180 questions; $425 for PMI members, $675 for non-members. It needs 3–5 years leading projects plus 35 hours of training.
Best forexperienced project managers
CAPM – Certified Associate in Project Management
- Cost
- $225 PMI members / $300 non-members2
- Format
- 180 minutes, 150 questions
- Entry
- Secondary diploma plus 23 hours of project management education
PMI's entry credential: 150 questions in three hours, $225 for members and $300 for non-members, with 23 hours of PM education required. PMI's entry credential is a 180-minute, 150-question exam for people early in project roles. It needs a secondary diploma plus 23 hours of project management education and costs $225 for PMI members or $300.
Best forentry-level PMI credential
Google Project Management Professional Certificate
- Cost
- $49/mo Coursera plan3
- Time
- 6 months at 10 hours a week
A beginner programme covering traditional and agile project management, about six months at ten hours a week. It counts toward CAPM education hours. Google's professional certificate teaches traditional and agile project management for beginners, about six months at ten hours a week. It can meet CAPM's 23-hour education requirement, and financial aid is available.
Best forcareer changers
PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)
- Cost
- $435 PMI members / $495 non-members4
- Format
- 180 minutes, 120 questions
- Entry
- 2+ years of experience and 21 hours of agile training
PMI's agile credential for practitioners with two or more years of experience. $435 members, $495 non-members. PMI's agile credential is a 180-minute, 120-question exam covering several agile approaches. It needs two or more years of experience and 21 hours of agile training and costs $435 for PMI members or $495.
Best forexperienced agile practitioners
Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)
- Cost
- Included in a 2-day course price5
- Format
- 16-hour course, then a 50-question test
Scrum Alliance's certification, earned through a two-day course and a 50-question test. The course price varies by trainer. Scrum Alliance's Certified ScrumMaster is earned through a 16-hour, trainer-led course and a 50-question test. The price is set by the trainer, it renews every two years, and it's widely named in Scrum Master posts.
Best fornew Scrum Masters
Professional Scrum Master I (PSM I)
- Cost
- Check the official page6
Scrum.org's exam-only Scrum Master credential, with no course required. Check the official page for the fee. Scrum.org's Professional Scrum Master I is exam-only, with no course required, and it doesn't expire. Study the free Scrum Guide and practise before booking; check Scrum.org's page for the current fee.
Best forScrum proof by exam
ITIL 4 Foundation
- Cost
- Check the official page7
The standard framework for IT service management, useful for IT project and operations roles. PeopleCert's ITIL 4 Foundation covers the core concepts of IT service management and continual improvement. It's foundation-level, quick to prepare for and especially common in IT service roles in the UK and Australia.
Best forIT service projects
Six Sigma Green Belt (CSSGB)
- Cost
- Check the official page8
- Format
- 100-question exam
ASQ's Six Sigma Green Belt proves process improvement skill, valuable in operations and manufacturing projects. ASQ's Certified Six Sigma Green Belt is a 100-question exam on process improvement methods such as DMAIC and statistical tools. ASQ members pay less, and it's among the most recognised Green Belt credentials.
Best forprocess improvement
CBAP – Certified Business Analysis Professional
- Cost
- $145 application fee plus exam fee9
- Entry
- Business analysis experience required (see IIBA)
IIBA's senior business analysis credential for analysts who work closely with project teams. IIBA's Certified Business Analysis Professional is the senior BA credential and requires business analysis experience. There's a $145 application fee plus the exam fee; see IIBA's page for current rules.
Best forbusiness analysts
AI for Business Specialization
- Cost
- Coursera plan10
Wharton's AI for Business specialization helps managers plan and lead AI projects. Wharton's specialization on Coursera covers AI strategy, data, ethics and organisational change in business terms. It suits managers and leaders planning AI adoption, and financial aid is available.
Best formanagers leading AI work
PMP or CAPM?
| You have… | Take |
|---|---|
| 3+ years leading projects (with a degree) | PMP |
| Less experience | CAPM or Google Project Management |
| Agile team experience | PMI-ACP or PSM I |
Table: Choosing your first project management credential
How we ranked these picks
We ranked project management credentials by employer recognition, then grouped beginner, agile and specialist options around PMP. Fees, formats and prerequisites come from official pages, checked 3 November 2026.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best project management certification?
PMP is the most recognised. If you don't yet have 3–5 years of project experience, start with CAPM or Google Project Management.
How much does PMP cost?
$425 for PMI members and $675 for non-members. PMI membership costs extra but often pays for itself through the discount.
Is Google Project Management worth it?
Yes for beginners and career changers. It teaches the basics and counts toward CAPM's education requirement.
Which agile certification is best?
PMI-ACP for experienced practitioners; CSM or PSM I for Scrum Master roles.
Is there a free PMP practice test?
Yes. Science of Apps offers free PMP, CAPM and Scrum practice tests, instantly graded with a verifiable certificate.
Sources
- PMI — PMP – Project Management Professional, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- PMI — CAPM – Certified Associate in Project Management, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Google — Google Project Management Professional Certificate, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- PMI — PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP), official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Scrum Alliance — Certified ScrumMaster (CSM), official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Scrum.org — Professional Scrum Master I (PSM I), official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- PeopleCert — ITIL 4 Foundation, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- ASQ — Six Sigma Green Belt (CSSGB), official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- IIBA — CBAP – Certified Business Analysis Professional, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Wharton — AI for Business Specialization, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Checked November 4, 2026. Figures that change — fees, salaries, prices — are reviewed every six months; if something is out of date, tell us.
Where to go from here
- The best online certifications of 2027 — the full top 10 across every field
- Best Project Management Certifications of 2027: Top 10 Ranked — related guide
- Best AI Certifications of 2027: 10 Ranked by Career Impact — related guide
- Career guides by Science of Apps for 2027The top 10 certifications for project managers in 2027: PMI, agile, AI and specialistThe top 10 certifications for project managers in 2027: PMP, PMI-ACP, PSM I, CSM, CAPM, ITIL 4, Six Sigma, AI for Business, GenAI Leader and PL-300.
- Career guides by Science of Apps for 2027The project management certification roadmap for 2027: from coordinator to programme leaderA project management certification roadmap for 2027: Google PM and CAPM, then PSM I or CSM, then PMP, then PMI-ACP, Six Sigma or AI for Business.
- Career guides by Science of Apps for 2027The best agile and Scrum certifications of 2027: six for Scrum Masters, agile PMs and teamsThe 6 best agile and Scrum certifications of 2027: PSM I, Certified ScrumMaster, PMI-ACP, Google PM, ITIL 4 and Jira skills, with fees and formats.
- Career guides by Science of Apps for 2027Project management certifications for beginners: six best for 2027 if you've never led a projectThe 6 best project management certifications for beginners in 2027: Google PM, CAPM, CSM, PSM I, ITIL 4 Foundation and Six Sigma Green Belt.
- Career guides by Science of Apps for 2027Agile and Scrum certifications for beginners: five best for 2027The 5 best agile and Scrum certifications for beginners in 2027: PSM I, Certified ScrumMaster, Google Project Management, CAPM and ITIL 4 Foundation.
- Career guides by Science of Apps for 2027Top 5 project management certifications to get hired in 2027: the ones PM job posts nameThe top 5 project management certifications to get hired in 2027: PMP, CAPM, CSM, PMI-ACP and PSM I, matched to project manager and Scrum Master roles.
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