An Agile project management certification is a must-have these days to showcase yourself as a versatile professional. Businesses are increasingly going Agile – with adopting charts surpassing any other in recent years. This is because Business Leaders have begun to see the difference Agile methodologies make, and the results they generate.
Well, that’s the bigger picture. But, what can you do to actionize these insights? You can become a Certified Agile Practitioner yourself! In this blog, we’ll help you choose an agile project management certification path that works best for you.
First things first though, before we get started – Do you need an Agile Certification any time soon? Will it benefit you? – Let’s get answers to all the burning questions around it!
Is Agile Project Management Certification Worth It
Organizations are adopting Agile or at least some form of Hybrid methodology to increase business value. In fact, PMI’s Future of Project Work Report supported by the Annual Global Survey on Project Management stated that in the 3 years from 2020 to 2023, adoption of hybrid approaches in projects shot up by a staggering 57%!
This data shows that current practitioners in project management need to upskill themselves to embrace the change. And, we say the earlier you do it the better! Agile project management certifications gear you up for positions like Scrum Masters, Agile Coaches, Product Owners, and Agile Project Managers. And the best way to snag one of these leadership roles is to be ready with an Agile Mindset. If you’re already working in an Agile environment, an Agile certification can be proof of your skills!
Regardless of whether you have Agile experience or not, here’s why getting an Agile project management certification is totally worth it!
Agile Project Management Certification Benefits
- All Organizational Teams Are Going Agile: Although Agile was mainly for software development earlier, it has now branched out to cover most parts of an organization. Nearly 70% of IT or software development teams are already using Agile. But, what’s interesting is currently close to half of engineering, product, and R&D teams use Agile. Adding to that, business operations (28%) and marketing (20%) are catching on to this flexible project management style too!
- Keep up with the 5-year Predictions: Experts predict that in the next five years, most companies will move away from traditional project management approaches. Instead, 76% expect to use more Agile methods, and 73% plan to combine Agile with other methods (hybrid approaches). So, the time to act on it is NOW!
- Build In-demand Skills: Studies show that the most in-demand skills are the ability to accelerate “time-to-market” and deliver incremental customer and business value. With an Agile certification, you can help teams deliver products quicker, measure their impact as well as support digital transformation and improve project reliability. These are exactly the skills that organizations need from project managers and product teams – and the right agile PM certification can get you the spotlight!
- Show Dedication to Learning & the Profession: Getting certified in Agile Project Management helps you keep up with the changing trends and develop the skills that organizations are looking for. Moreover, it proves that you worked for the certification, and care about learning and staying updated in your profession. It’s a signal to employers that you’re ready to lead and bring fresh ideas to the table.
4 Best Agile Project Management Certifications in the Market
1. PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)
PMI ACP is one of the most popular agile project management certifications, consistently placed #1 by many sources. It comes with the credibility of PMI and was recently revised to meet the industry’s pain points in agile. The new PMI ACP syllabus promotes an adaptable approach to projects, instead of a prescriptive one.
The exam covers everything about Agile, including the Agile Mindset, the principles that guide Agile practices, and different frameworks like Scrum, Kanban, Lean, etc. Now it also introduced concepts from the Disciplined Agile Senior Scrum Master (DASSM), giving you even more value.
Key Details You Need to Know
- Cost: Member price: $435, Full price: $495
- Requirements: Around two years of project experience is necessary to qualify.
- Exam: The exam consists of 120 questions with a duration of 180 minutes. Passing score: 60%+ (Estimated).
- Salary: The average salary for PMI ACPs is ₹23.3 lakhs in India or $130,000 annually in the U.S.
2. Certified Scrum Master (CSM)
Certified Scrum Master (CSM) by Scrum Alliance is the most common agile project management certification in the world. There are only a few trainers available for this course, so each institute shares trainers for their batches. As the name suggests, it emphasizes the Scrum framework and is a great start for beginner Agilists. This certification was launched in 2001 and has been a popular choice since then. Professionals in IT tend to opt for the CSM certification more, to contribute to their Scrum teams better.
More About the CSM certification:
- Cost: Average cost $600 – $2000 (differs as per training providers).
- Requirements: No eligibility prerequisites for CSM certification.
- Exam: The exam consists of 50 MCQs to be answered in 60 minutes. Passing percentage: 80%.
- Salary: The average salary for CSMs is ₹15 lakhs in India or $114,000 in the U.S.
> Also Read: Agile vs Scrum
3. SAFe Agilist
This certification is offered by Scaled Agile Framework. It was developed in 2011 for professionals wanting to improve their capacity to scale enterprise Agile framework development. The organization is known around the world as a pioneer in transitioning businesses into Lean-Agile environments. This agile project management certification focuses on foundational scrum knowledge mainly targeted for IT environments. It covers concepts like Scaled Agile framework fundamentals, Business agility, Program increment planning, and Lean portfolio management.
More information on the SAFe Agilist certification:
- Cost: Average cost $714 (differs as per training providers).
- Requirements: 5+ years of working experience is required for the SAFe Agile certification.
- Exam: The exam will take 90 minutes and will consist of 45 multiple-choice questions. Passing percentage: 75%.
- Salary: The average salary for SAFe Agilists is ₹24.2 lakhs in India or $117,000 in the U.S.
4. Disciplined Agile
Disciplined Agile is a unique set of agile project management certifications in the market, offered by PMI. The DA certifications cater to a wide range of practitioners – from beginners to experts. The certifications in order of low to high mastery levels look like this:
- DASM (Beginner)
- DASSM (Intermediate)
- DAVSC (Expert)
- DAC (Expert)
Disciplined Agile takes practices from multiple agile frameworks like SAFe, Scrum, and XP and teaches you how to tailor those practices as per your problem statements. It helps you develop the optimal way of working (WoW) for you and your team. Currently, some elements of the DASSM certification are included in the PMI ACP certification curriculum. Soon enough, DASSM will no longer be available as a separate certification. You can take the PMI ACP to get to this level, and then proceed to pursue DAVSC and DAC certifications.
More about Disciplined Agile Certifications:
- Cost: Average cost comes to around $1500 – $3000 (differs as per training providers).
- Requirements: On average, it requires – 0-3 years of experience to qualify (As per certification level)
- Exam: The exam will take 120 minutes and will consist of 60 multiple-choice questions. Passing percentage: 70% (Estimated).
- Salary: The average salary for DA-certified practitioners is around ₹23 lakhs in India or $143,319 in the U.S.
Check out: Complete Guide to Disciplined Agile
5. Professional Scrum Master (PSM)
Professional Scrum Master (PSM) is often confused with the CSM certification. Both certifications focus on the Scrum Framework. However, the main difference between the two certifications is that PSM is offered by Scrum.org, while CSM is provided by Scrum Alliance. In the mid-2010s, PSM became a tough competition to the existing CSM certification.
More Details about PSM certification:
- Cost: $200 USD for the PSM I exam and $250 USD for the PSM II exam.
- Requirements: No eligibility prerequisites for PSM certification.
- Exam: The PSM exam has 80 questions of different types like multiple-choice, multiple-answer, and true/false. You’ll have 60 minutes to attempt the exam and the passing score is 85%.
- Salary: The average salary for PSM-certified professionals is ₹14.7 lakhs in India or $97,000 in the U.S.
6. ICAgile Certified Professional (ICP)
ICAgile offers quite a lot of agile project management certifications. The ICP – Agile Fundamentals certification is the primary one. ICAgile Certified Professional is a beginner-level certification that clears your fundamentals on Agile principles and frameworks. You can build on the skills learned in this certification, with more specialization certification. You can do this via the different certification paths established by ICAgile. The most popular one is targeted at Agile Coaching and Leadership. It’s called the ICP-ACC or the ICP Agile Certified Coaching Certification.
About ICAgile Certified Professional (ICP) – Agile Fundamentals:
- Cost: $200 – $600 (differs as per training providers).
- Requirements: No prior experience needed.
- Exam: Differs as per training providers.
- Salary: Not Known.
7. Certified Agile Project Manager
The International Association of Project Managers (IAPM) offers this certification. Certified Agile Project Manager by IAPM is an open-to-all agile project management certification that covers different agile frameworks along with interpersonal skills. The course covers how to plan, organize, and implement projects using the Agile way of working. There are 3 levels in the IAPM Agile project manager certifications, and this certification is placed at the 2nd level – preceded and succeeded by the Junior and Senior levels respectively.
More information on the Certified Agile Project Manager certification test:
- Cost: $145 in India and $541 in the United States. The cost differs depending on the candidate’s nationality.
- Requirements: No prior experience needed.
- Exam: Candidates have 80 minutes to answer 120 questions. Passing percentage: 65 percent.
- Salary: Not Known.
What is the Best Agile Project Management Certification?
We think that out of all the agile project management certifications currently in the market, the best one to pursue is the PMI ACP certification. This is because its curriculum was updated very recently and reflects the industry’s actual needs. You become an Agilist who is ready to tackle the current loopholes while being adept at tailoring Agile practices – instead of sticking to Scrum knowledge.
If you’re already at a senior level in your project management career, then Disciplined Agile master level certifications – Disciplined Agile Coach (DAC) and Value Stream Consultant (DAVSC) are great options. Here t00, you learn about several agile approaches and how to tailor them to create value for the business.
Conclusion:
With proven enhanced adaptability, transparency, and delivery speed – 2025 is the time to go Agile! An agile project management certification can help you be on top of your game and enhance your skills. Certifications like the PMI ACP or CSM can make you a better project manager and professional, whether you’re learning the fundamentals or going right into mastering Scrum!
FAQs About Agile Project Management Certifications
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Agile Project Management Certification Vs PMP
If we were to compare agile project management certifications to a PMP, we would say PMP would win through and through. It’s one of the oldest certifications, is the hallmark of credibility in the project management space, and is likely to stay like that for years to come. Agile certifications are a specialization that you can add to your PMP and the PMP agile concepts.
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Which Agile Certification Is Best For Project Managers?
For project managers wanting to step into the agile zone, the PMI ACP could be a great value-add. Since it’s by the Project Management Institute, project managers can find themselves in a familiar space while extending their knowledge to agile practices.
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Which is the Best Agile Certification For IT Professionals?
The best choice for IT professionals would be the PMI ACP certification. It is the most widely recognized credential in the IT sector, and most experts suggest earning it to advance your career.
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What would be the Best Agile Certification For Beginners?
Some beginner-friendly agile project management certification options would be the Disciplined Agile Scrum Master (DASM) by PMI, Agile Fundamentals by ICAgile, and Certified Scrum Master (CSM).
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Is there any Agile Project Management Certification for Free?
For professionals wanting to upskill without investing heavily, some free agile project management options are The Basics of Scrum and Basics of Disciplined Agile™ Online Course by PMI. Since PMI Credentials are more credible, they’re better than other generic certifications and courses.
