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10 Best Project Management Certifications of 2026
This list is for professionals moving into project management or moving up within it, from coordinators and career changers to senior project managers heading toward program or PMO roles. We compared ten certifications from PMI, Google, Scrum.org, Scrum Alliance, PeopleCert and Scaled Agile using the issuers' own pages and handbooks: eligibility, exam format, renewal rules and published U.S. fees. Scores weigh features (recognition, depth and career reach) at 40 percent, and ease of access (prerequisites, format, time) and value at 30 percent each. We compared documented features and published prices. PMI's and PeopleCert's fees could not be confirmed in USD in our check, so those prices are marked pending; check member and non-member rates with the issuer before you apply.
By the Mojolin research desk · Updated November 10, 2026 · 10 tools compared · Prices checked on vendor pages, latest November 10, 2026
Questions or corrections: editorial@mojolin.com
Mojolin is self-funded How we score
PMP is our top pick for working project managers: it covers predictive, agile and hybrid delivery, and its experience requirement is why employers trust it. People moving into the field should start with the Google Project Management Certificate, which needs no experience and counts toward CAPM, PMI's entry-level credential. For agile skills, PSM I is the best value at $200 with no renewal, CSM suits people who want a live class, and PMI-ACP is the broader option for experienced agile practitioners. PRINCE2 7 Foundation is the pick where PRINCE2 is the standard method, and SAFe Agilist fits enterprises that run SAFe. For moving up, PMI-PMOCP is the PMO credential and PgMP is the senior program management certification.
Top picks
Best overall
PMP (Project Management Professional)
8.7 / 10
Working project managers with three or more years of experience who want the credential most employers name in job ads.
Read the review →Runner-up
Google Project Management Certificate
8.4 / 10
Career changers and new graduates who want an online, low-cost route into a first project coordinator or project manager role.
Read the review →Also great
Professional Scrum Master I (PSM I)
8.2 / 10
Project managers and team leads moving into agile delivery who want a low-cost Scrum credential that never expires.
Read the review →Comparison table
| # | Tool | Pricing | Score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | PMP (Project Management Professional) | Working project managers with three or more years of experience who want the credential most employers name in job ads. | See vendor pricing (USD check pending) | 8.7 |
| 2 | Google Project Management Certificate | Career changers and new graduates who want an online, low-cost route into a first project coordinator or project manager role. | $49 per month on Coursera in the U.S. and Canada after a 7-day free trial; Google says most learners finish for under $300 | 8.4 |
| 3 | Professional Scrum Master I (PSM I) | Project managers and team leads moving into agile delivery who want a low-cost Scrum credential that never expires. | $200 per attempt, one-time payment; lifetime certification with no renewal fee | 8.2 |
| 4 | CAPM (Certified Associate in Project Management) | Students, coordinators and career changers who want a PMI credential now and a head start toward PMP later. | See vendor pricing (USD check pending) | 8.1 |
| 5 |  Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) | Project managers who want to learn Scrum in a live class and earn one of the agile credentials employers name most often. | Course prices range from $250 to $2,495, set by trainers; two test attempts included | 7.9 |
| 6 | PMI-ACP (PMI Agile Certified Practitioner) | Experienced project managers in agile or hybrid organizations who want a broader agile credential than a Scrum-only certificate. | See vendor pricing (USD check pending) | 7.8 |
| 7 |  PRINCE2 7 Foundation | Project managers working in the UK, Europe, Australia or government settings where PRINCE2 is the standard method. | See vendor pricing (USD check pending) | 7.6 |
| 8 |  SAFe Agilist (Leading SAFe) | Project and program managers in large enterprises that run on SAFe. | Scaled Agile lists $495 for a proctored exam attempt; Leading SAFe course fees, which include the exam, are set by training partners | 7.5 |
| 9 | PMI-PMOCP (PMO Certified Professional) | Project managers moving into PMO roles and PMO leads who want a credential specific to running a project management office. | $520 for PMI members, $700 full price; renewal $60 or $150 per three-year cycle | 7.4 |
| 10 | PgMP (Program Management Professional) | Senior project managers moving up to program management, typically with PMP and several years of program experience. | See vendor pricing (USD check pending) | 7.0 |
Scoring weights
Every tool gets three editorial scores out of 10, from vendor documentation, product pages and the published price. The overall score is the weighted average below, the same method on every list. Full method
The full ranking
Rank 1 · Best overall
PMP (Project Management Professional)
The Project Management Institute's experienced-practitioner certification, covering predictive, agile and hybrid project delivery.
pmi.org8.7
out of 10
Best for: Working project managers with three or more years of experience who want the credential most employers name in job ads.
PMP is the default answer to which project management certification to get, and PMI's handbook explains why it carries weight: candidates have to document real experience before they can sit the exam. With a four-year degree you need 36 months of non-overlapping project management experience, with a secondary diploma you need 60 months, and graduates of a GAC accredited degree program need 24 months. On top of that, PMI asks for 35 contact hours of project management education, which an active CAPM already covers. PMI states that membership is not required, though the exam fee is lower for members, and that exam fees are paid only after an application is approved. About half of the exam covers predictive approaches and the other half agile or hybrid ones. The downside is access: people still moving into the field cannot apply yet, and the application takes care to fill in because it can be selected for PMI's audit process. For anyone who meets the bar, it is the credential with the broadest recognition here.
Standout feature
The only credential on this list that requires three to five years of documented project management experience before the exam.
Use cases
Project managers with three or more years of experience
Prove their experience to employers and recruiters
Outcome: The credential most often named in project manager job postings
CAPM holders ready to move up
Upgrade to a senior credential
Outcome: A PMP application without re-documenting 35 education hours
Key features
- Eligibility: 36 months of project management experience with a four-year degree, or 60 months with a secondary diploma
- 24 months of experience is enough for graduates of a GAC accredited degree program
- 35 contact hours of project management education, waived for active CAPM holders
- About half of the exam covers predictive approaches and half agile or hybrid
- Fees are lower for PMI members; membership is not required
Pros
- The most widely requested project management credential
- Covers predictive, agile and hybrid approaches in one exam
- CAPM holders skip the 35-hour education requirement
Cons
- Experience requirement rules it out for career changers
- Application is documented project by project and can be audited
- USD exam fee could not be confirmed from PMI's site in our check
Rank 2 · Runner-up
Google Project Management Certificate
A seven-course, self-paced online program from Google on Coursera that teaches entry-level project management, including Agile and Scrum.
coursera.org8.4
out of 10
Best for: Career changers and new graduates who want an online, low-cost route into a first project coordinator or project manager role.
Google's Project Management Certificate is the best online starting point for people moving into project management. It is a seven-course series on Coursera that Google says most people complete in under six months at under 10 hours a week, with no degree or prior experience required. The curriculum walks through initiating, planning and running projects, managing schedules, budgets, risk and stakeholders, and spends real time on Agile with an emphasis on Scrum events, artifacts and roles. In the U.S. and Canada, Coursera charges $49 a month after a 7-day free trial, so most learners pay less than $300 in total. A practical bonus is that the program counts for more than 100 hours of project management education toward PMI credentials such as CAPM. The limits are clear too: this is a certificate of completion rather than a proctored professional exam, and it is built for entry-level roles, so working project managers will get more from PMP.
Standout feature
Over 100 hours of project management education for $49 a month, with no degree or experience required.
Use cases
Career changers from operations, admin or support roles
Learn project management basics online
Outcome: A Google certificate and a portfolio of project documents in about six months
Aspiring CAPM candidates
Meet PMI's education requirement
Outcome: Over 100 hours of project management education to list on the application
Key features
- Seven-course series, about 6 months at under 10 hours per week
- No degree or experience required
- Covers traditional project management plus Agile with a focus on Scrum
- Counts for over 100 hours of project management education toward PMI credentials such as CAPM
- Shareable certificate from Google on completion
Pros
- No prerequisites, fully online and self-paced
- Low total cost for most learners
- Education hours carry over to the CAPM application
Cons
- A certificate of completion, not a proctored industry exam
- Aimed at entry-level roles, so it adds little for experienced managers
- Monthly billing rewards finishing quickly
Rank 3 · Also great
Professional Scrum Master I (PSM I)
Scrum.org's foundational Scrum Master assessment, earned by passing an online test rather than by attending a class.
scrum.org8.2
out of 10
Best for: Project managers and team leads moving into agile delivery who want a low-cost Scrum credential that never expires.
PSM I is the most cost-efficient agile credential for project managers. Scrum.org charges $200 per attempt, and unlike most Scrum certifications it does not require a course: you buy a test password, prepare on your own or with Scrum.org's free Scrum Open practice assessment, and take an 80-question test in 60 minutes. The pass mark is 85%, which is high, and that is the point Scrum.org makes in its favor: the certificate reflects knowledge of the Scrum Guide rather than class attendance. Once earned, PSM I is a lifetime certification with no annual renewal fee, and passwords do not expire until used. A Credly digital badge is included. The trade-offs are that each password covers a single attempt, and the content is limited to Scrum, so it complements rather than replaces a broad credential like PMP or CAPM.
Standout feature
A $200 lifetime certification with no class requirement and no renewal fee.
Use cases
Traditional project managers joining agile teams
Show working knowledge of Scrum
Outcome: A lifetime Scrum credential for $200
Self-learners on a budget
Get certified without paying for a class
Outcome: Certification earned by passing the test alone
Key features
- 80 questions in 60 minutes, 85% passing score
- No class required to take the test
- Lifetime certification with no annual renewal fee
- Test passwords do not expire until used
- Free Credly digital credential
Pros
- Lowest one-time cost of any proctored-style credential here
- Never needs renewing
- Passing proves knowledge rather than attendance
Cons
- 85% pass mark is demanding
- Focused on Scrum only, not general project management
- Each $200 password covers one attempt
Rank 4
CAPM (Certified Associate in Project Management)
PMI's entry-level certification for people who want a proctored project management credential before they have years of experience.
pmi.org8.1
out of 10
Best for: Students, coordinators and career changers who want a PMI credential now and a head start toward PMP later.
CAPM is PMI's answer for people who are moving into project management and cannot yet qualify for PMP. According to PMI's handbook, you need a secondary diploma and 23 contact hours of project management education, with no project experience required, and the exam has 150 multiple-choice questions. That makes it the most accessible way to put a PMI credential on a resume. It also pays off later: active CAPM holders do not have to document the 35 contact hours of education when they apply for PMP. Google's Project Management Certificate counts for more than 100 education hours toward CAPM, so the two pair well for career changers. The drawbacks are that CAPM reads as an entry-level credential, it has to be maintained with professional development units, and we could not confirm the USD exam fee from PMI's website, which blocked our automated checks.
Standout feature
A PMI credential with no experience requirement that also waives the PMP education hours.
Use cases
Project coordinators
Add a proctored PMI credential early in their career
Outcome: CAPM now and a shorter PMP application later
Recent graduates
Stand out for entry-level project roles
Outcome: A recognized credential without needing work experience
Key features
- Requires a secondary diploma and 23 contact hours of project management education
- No project experience required
- 150-question multiple-choice exam
- Active CAPM holders skip the 35-hour education requirement when applying for PMP
- Lower exam fee for PMI members
Pros
- The PMI name without the PMP experience requirement
- Google's certificate covers the education hours
- Clear upgrade path to PMP
Cons
- Signals entry level, so it matters less once you hold PMP
- Credential must be maintained with PDUs
- USD exam fee could not be confirmed from PMI's site in our check
Rank 5
Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)
Scrum Alliance's introductory Scrum Master certification, earned through a course taught by a Certified Scrum Trainer and a short test.
scrumalliance.org7.9
out of 10
Best for: Project managers who want to learn Scrum in a live class and earn one of the agile credentials employers name most often.
The Certified ScrumMaster is the classroom route into Scrum. Scrum Alliance requires you to take a CSM course from a Certified Scrum Trainer, after which you get access to a 50-question test that you pass by answering 37 correctly; two attempts are included in the course price. The course covers the Scrum framework, including team accountabilities, events and artifacts, and trainers add their own exercises and examples. Scrum Alliance lists course prices from $250 to $2,495, set by individual trainers and varying by region and format, so it pays to compare before you book. For project managers who learn best with a live instructor and want to ask questions about their own teams, that structure is the main benefit over PSM I. The trade-off is cost and flexibility: you cannot skip the class, and the content is limited to Scrum. Advanced CSM and CSP-ScrumMaster give a path upward.
Standout feature
A trainer-led Scrum course where the test, with two attempts, is included in the price.
Use cases
Project managers moving to agile teams
Learn Scrum with a trainer and peers
Outcome: A CSM badge after a short course and test
Teams adopting Scrum together
Train several people at once
Outcome: A shared vocabulary from the same trainer
Key features
- Course taught by a Certified Scrum Trainer
- 50-question test; 37 correct answers to pass
- Two test attempts included in the course price
- Covers Scrum accountabilities, events and artifacts
- Path to Advanced CSM and CSP-ScrumMaster
Pros
- Live instruction and exercises from a vetted trainer
- Test is short and included in the price
- Widely recognized by employers
Cons
- Course is mandatory, so the cost is higher than PSM I
- Prices vary widely by trainer and region
- Covers Scrum only
Rank 6
PMI-ACP (PMI Agile Certified Practitioner)
PMI's agile certification for practitioners with agile project experience, covering mindset, leadership, product and delivery.
pmi.org7.8
out of 10
Best for: Experienced project managers in agile or hybrid organizations who want a broader agile credential than a Scrum-only certificate.
PMI-ACP is the agile certification to consider once you already work on agile teams and want a credential broader than Scrum. PMI's current exam content outline, dated November 2024, splits the exam into four domains: Mindset at 28%, Leadership at 25%, Product at 19% and Delivery at 28%. That spread covers how agile teams think, how they are led, how they manage a product backlog and how they deliver, rather than the rules of one framework. Like PMP, it requires documented experience and training before you can sit the exam, which makes it more credible to employers but harder to reach than CSM or PSM I. It sits well next to PMP for project managers in hybrid organizations. We could not confirm the USD fee from PMI's website, which blocked our automated checks, so check PMI's member and non-member rates before you apply.
Standout feature
An agile exam built around mindset, leadership, product and delivery rather than a single framework.
Use cases
PMP holders in hybrid organizations
Add an agile credential with the same issuer
Outcome: Two PMI credentials covering predictive and agile work
Agile project leads
Validate experience beyond Scrum
Outcome: A credential spanning mindset, leadership, product and delivery
Key features
- Exam content outline updated in November 2024
- Four domains: Mindset 28%, Leadership 25%, Product 19%, Delivery 28%
- Covers multiple agile approaches, not only Scrum
- Requires documented agile experience and agile training
- Lower exam fee for PMI members
Pros
- Broader than CSM or PSM I
- Carries the PMI name alongside PMP
- Fits hybrid organizations that mix agile and predictive work
Cons
- Needs prior agile experience, so not for beginners
- Costs more and takes longer than Scrum certifications
- USD exam fee could not be confirmed from PMI's site in our check
Rank 7
PRINCE2 7 Foundation
The entry certification in the PRINCE2 project management method, now in version 7 and run by PeopleCert.
peoplecert.org7.6
out of 10
Best for: Project managers working in the UK, Europe, Australia or government settings where PRINCE2 is the standard method.
PRINCE2 is a process-based project management method, and PRINCE2 7 Foundation is where most people start with it. PeopleCert's exam is 60 multiple-choice questions in 60 minutes, closed book, with a 60% pass mark, and it is available in 14 languages with results in two business days. The syllabus covers PRINCE2's seven principles, seven practices and seven processes, plus roles and tailoring, and version 7 adds a people element, sustainability within project performance, and digital and data management. PeopleCert describes it as suitable for any career stage, so there is no experience bar. Where PRINCE2 is the expected method, mainly the UK, Europe, Australia and many public sector bodies, it can matter as much as PMP. In the U.S. it is less common in job ads. Our check returned euro prices rather than USD, so the price is marked pending.
Standout feature
Version 7 adds people, sustainability and data management to a method used by more than 2 million certified professionals.
Use cases
Project managers in UK or European organizations
Learn the method their employer uses
Outcome: A Foundation certificate and the base for Practitioner
Public sector project staff
Meet a PRINCE2 requirement in job descriptions
Outcome: A recognized method credential without an experience bar
Key features
- 60 multiple-choice questions in 60 minutes, closed book, 60% to pass
- Covers 7 principles, 7 practices and 7 processes
- Version 7 adds people management, sustainability and digital and data management
- Exam available in 14 languages
- Optional 9-hour self-paced eLearning course
Pros
- Suitable for any career stage, no experience required
- Widely used outside the U.S., especially in government
- Results within 2 business days
Cons
- Less recognized by U.S. employers than PMP
- Foundation is a first step; Practitioner is a separate exam
- USD price not shown from our location
Rank 8
SAFe Agilist (Leading SAFe)
Scaled Agile's foundational certification for leading agile programs across large organizations with the Scaled Agile Framework.
scaledagile.com7.5
out of 10
Best for: Project and program managers in large enterprises that run on SAFe.
SAFe Agilist is the certification to get if your employer runs on the Scaled Agile Framework. Scaled Agile's Leading SAFe page describes it as a foundational credential with no prerequisites, assessed by a 45-question exam in 90 minutes with an 80% pass mark. The current version is branded AI-Empowered and adds prompting techniques for SAFe Agilist responsibilities alongside the core material on Lean-Agile mindset and principles, aligning large organizations and leading transformations. You can take the Leading SAFe course, which includes an exam attempt, or buy a proctored exam on its own, since the course is not required. Scaled Agile's exam details list $495 for a proctored exam attempt, while course prices are set by training partners. Passing also earns PMI PDUs and Scrum CEUs. The catch is scope: the credential is valuable inside SAFe organizations and much less so elsewhere.
Standout feature
A scaled agile credential whose proctored exam can be taken without the course.
Use cases
Program managers in large enterprises
Coordinate several agile teams under SAFe
Outcome: A shared framework and a credential their employer recognizes
PMP holders
Earn renewal credits while learning scaled agile
Outcome: PMI PDUs plus a SAFe certification
Key features
- 45 questions in 90 minutes, 80% to pass
- Proctored exam can be taken without the training course
- No prerequisites, foundational level
- Current version adds AI prompting techniques for SAFe Agilist work
- Earns PMI PDUs and Scrum CEUs
Pros
- Directly relevant where employers use SAFe
- Exam can be bought without a course
- Counts toward PMI renewal PDUs
Cons
- Only useful in organizations that use SAFe
- Course fees vary by training partner
- Narrower than PMP or PMI-ACP
Rank 9
PMI-PMOCP (PMO Certified Professional)
PMI's certification for professionals who lead or work in a project management office, offered through the PMO Global Alliance.
pmi.org7.4
out of 10
Best for: Project managers moving into PMO roles and PMO leads who want a credential specific to running a project management office.
PMI-PMOCP is the best answer to the PMO certification question, because it is the one credential here built around the project management office itself rather than individual projects. PMI offers it through the PMO Global Alliance, and the exam has 120 questions in 165 minutes across six domains, including organizational alignment, PMO strategy, PMO design and structuring, operations and performance, and people. To apply you need a secondary degree, three years of project-related experience in the last eight years or a PMP in good standing, and 10 hours of PMO education, which PMOGA's self-paced prep course covers for $160 for members or $200. The exam costs $520 for PMI members and $700 at full price, with up to three attempts within a year. Renewal takes 60 PDUs every three years plus $60 or $150. It is newer than PMP and less familiar to recruiters, so treat it as a specialist add-on.
Standout feature
The only certification on this list designed specifically for project management office roles.
Use cases
PMP holders moving into a PMO
Show expertise in PMO design and governance
Outcome: A PMO-specific credential without extra experience paperwork
PMO analysts and leads
Formalize their PMO knowledge
Outcome: A PMI credential focused on PMO value delivery
Key features
- 120 questions in 165 minutes, in 10 languages
- Eligibility: 3 years of project-related experience in the last 8 years, or a PMP in good standing
- 10 hours of PMO education; PMOGA's prep course costs $160 for members or $200
- Up to 3 exam attempts within one year
- Six domains, from PMO strategy and design to people
Pros
- The only credential here built around running a PMO
- PMP holders meet the experience requirement
- Up to three attempts within a year
Cons
- Newer and less familiar to recruiters than PMP
- Requires experience, so not an entry point
- Fees and renewal favor PMI members
Rank 10
PgMP (Program Management Professional)
PMI's advanced certification for program managers who coordinate several related projects toward strategic goals.
pmi.org7.0
out of 10
Best for: Senior project managers moving up to program management, typically with PMP and several years of program experience.
PgMP is for project managers moving up into program management, where the job is coordinating several related projects to deliver a strategic outcome. PMI's handbook makes it the hardest credential on this list to earn. Candidates must record 48 to 84 months of program management experience, depending on education, in addition to project management experience. The process has two evaluations: first a panel of certified program managers reviews written experience summaries, and only after passing that can you sit a 170-question multiple-choice exam with 240 minutes allowed. PMI says the whole process takes about 60 days, and an application that fails the panel twice is closed with the exam fee refunded. That rigor is what makes it valuable for senior roles, but it also limits the audience. We could not confirm the USD fee from PMI's website, which blocked our automated checks.
Standout feature
A panel of certified program managers reviews your experience before you can take the exam.
Use cases
Senior PMP holders
Move from managing projects to managing programs
Outcome: A senior credential reviewed by certified program managers
Program and portfolio leads
Prove experience for director-level roles
Outcome: A rare credential that signals years of program leadership
Key features
- Two evaluations: a panel review of experience summaries and a multiple-choice exam
- Exam has 170 questions in 240 minutes
- Requires 48 to 84 months of program management experience depending on education
- Panel of certified program managers reviews each application
- Process takes about 60 days
Pros
- The most senior credential on this list
- Panel review makes it hard to earn and easy to trust
- Clear next step after PMP for program managers
Cons
- Four to seven years of program experience required
- Long application with written experience summaries
- USD fee could not be confirmed from PMI's site in our check
Frequently asked questions
+Which certification is best for project management?
PMP from the Project Management Institute is the best project management certification for most people with experience, because employers recognize it widely and it requires 36 to 60 months of documented project work. If you are new to the field, start with the Google Project Management Certificate or PMI's CAPM.
+Which certification is best for project managers?
Working project managers get the most from PMP. Those on agile teams often add PSM I, a $200 lifetime Scrum certification, or PMI-ACP, PMI's broader agile credential. Project managers in PRINCE2 markets should consider PRINCE2 7 Foundation.
+Which certification is best for a new project manager?
A new project manager without three years of experience should look at CAPM, which needs a secondary diploma and 23 hours of project management education, or the Google Project Management Certificate, which has no prerequisites. Both lead naturally to PMP later.
+What is the best project management certification online?
The Google Project Management Certificate is the best fully online option: seven self-paced courses on Coursera at $49 a month in the U.S., with most learners finishing in under six months. PSM I is also an online test, and PMI offers online proctored appointments for exams such as CAPM.
+What is the best PMO certification?
PMI-PMOCP is the best PMO certification, because it is built around running a project management office. The exam has 120 questions in 165 minutes and costs $520 for PMI members or $700 at full price, and you need three years of project experience in the last eight years or a PMP.
+Is PMP or PRINCE2 better?
PMP is better for most U.S. professionals because it is the credential U.S. employers ask for most, and it requires proven experience. PRINCE2 7 Foundation has no experience bar and is the better choice where organizations use the PRINCE2 method, mainly in the UK, Europe and the public sector.
About this list
Updated November 10, 2026 by the Mojolin research desk. Mojolin is self-funded
Questions or corrections: editorial@mojolin.com
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