Courses
Which course actually fits where you are
There's no single "best" PM certification — only the one that matches your stage, your industry, and what you're actually trying to get hired to do next. Grouped below by career stage, so it's obvious which ones are worth looking at first. Links marked PARTNER are affiliate links. If you're not sure which underlying method each one teaches, see Methodologies first.
For: Starting Out
Starting Your PM Journey
CAPM (Certified Associate in Project Management)
What it covers
PMI's full project management body of knowledge, tested at a foundational level — process groups, knowledge areas, terminology.
Typical roles
Junior project coordinator, project administrator, first-time PM applicants
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Typically follows: Usually the first PM credential someone gets — nothing formal comes before it.
Typically leads to: PMP, once you have the required experience hours.
PRINCE2 (Foundation & Practitioner)
What it covers
A process-based project management methodology — Foundation tests you know the terminology and structure; Practitioner tests you can apply it to a real scenario.
Typical roles
Project coordinators and PMs in UK, government, and process-heavy organisations
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Typically follows: Foundation is usually the entry point — no prior certification needed.
Typically leads to: Practitioner (if you only hold Foundation), or PRINCE2 Agile for agile environments.
Agile & Scrum certifications (PSM, CSM, and similar)
What it covers
Certifications focused on agile delivery and the Scrum framework specifically, rather than traditional waterfall project management.
Typical roles
Scrum Masters, agile coaches, product-focused PMs in software/product teams
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Typically follows: No formal prerequisite — often a first certification for agile-team PMs.
Typically leads to: Advanced practitioner certifications (PSM II/III), or PMI-ACP as a bridge to PMI credentials.
For: Doing The Work
Done the Work, Not Yet Qualified
PRINCE2 (Foundation & Practitioner)
What it covers
A process-based project management methodology — Foundation tests you know the terminology and structure; Practitioner tests you can apply it to a real scenario.
Typical roles
Project coordinators and PMs in UK, government, and process-heavy organisations
| Pros | Cons |
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Typically follows: Foundation is usually the entry point — no prior certification needed.
Typically leads to: Practitioner (if you only hold Foundation), or PRINCE2 Agile for agile environments.
PMP (Project Management Professional)
What it covers
A competency-based certification covering a broad body of knowledge across process groups and knowledge areas, assessed through a rigorous scenario-based exam.
Typical roles
Mid-to-senior PMs, especially in US-linked or multinational firms
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Typically follows: Usually follows CAPM or several years of hands-on delivery experience.
Typically leads to: PgMP (Program Management Professional), or ChPP if you're UK-based.
For: Next Step
Qualified, Looking for the Next Step
PMP (Project Management Professional)
What it covers
A competency-based certification covering a broad body of knowledge across process groups and knowledge areas, assessed through a rigorous scenario-based exam.
Typical roles
Mid-to-senior PMs, especially in US-linked or multinational firms
| Pros | Cons |
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Typically follows: Usually follows CAPM or several years of hands-on delivery experience.
Typically leads to: PgMP (Program Management Professional), or ChPP if you're UK-based.
Agile & Scrum certifications (PSM, CSM, and similar)
What it covers
Certifications focused on agile delivery and the Scrum framework specifically, rather than traditional waterfall project management.
Typical roles
Scrum Masters, agile coaches, product-focused PMs in software/product teams
| Pros | Cons |
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Typically follows: No formal prerequisite — often a first certification for agile-team PMs.
Typically leads to: Advanced practitioner certifications (PSM II/III), or PMI-ACP as a bridge to PMI credentials.
ChPP (Chartered Project Professional) portfolio coaching
What it covers
Structured coaching support for building your APM chartership portfolio and preparing for the professional review interview — not a methodology course.
Typical roles
Senior PMs, programme managers, and PMO/portfolio leads with a substantial track record
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Typically follows: Usually follows PMP or PRINCE2 Practitioner, plus years of senior experience.
Typically leads to: The top of the individual credentialing ladder — from here it's about role scope, not further certification.
For: For Leaders
Head of Department / PMO Leaders
ChPP (Chartered Project Professional) portfolio coaching
What it covers
Structured coaching support for building your APM chartership portfolio and preparing for the professional review interview — not a methodology course.
Typical roles
Senior PMs, programme managers, and PMO/portfolio leads with a substantial track record
| Pros | Cons |
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Typically follows: Usually follows PMP or PRINCE2 Practitioner, plus years of senior experience.
Typically leads to: The top of the individual credentialing ladder — from here it's about role scope, not further certification.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a certification to get a PM job?
No — plenty of PMs get hired on delivery experience alone, especially internally. A certification mainly helps you pass an initial CV screen or an external application where nobody already knows your track record.
What order should I take these in?
Most people start with CAPM or PRINCE2 Foundation (no experience needed), move to PRINCE2 Practitioner or PMP once they have real delivery experience, and only consider ChPP portfolio coaching once they have several years of senior-level experience to draw evidence from. Agile/Scrum certifications sit alongside this path rather than in it, and are worth getting whenever your actual work is agile delivery.
Do PRINCE2 and PMP expire?
Yes. PRINCE2 registrations need renewing every few years, and PMP requires ongoing PDUs (Professional Development Units) logged each three-year cycle to stay active. Factor this into the real cost, not just the up-front exam fee.
Can I do more than one of these?
Yes, and it's common — for example PRINCE2 Practitioner plus PMP for someone working across UK and international markets, or PMP plus a Scrum certification for a PM working in a hybrid delivery environment. Just make sure each one is earning its keep for the roles you're actually applying to, not collected for its own sake.
Which one's fastest and cheapest to get?
CAPM and Scrum certifications (like CSM) are generally the quickest and cheapest — a few days of study and a single exam. PRINCE2 Practitioner and PMP require more preparation time. ChPP portfolio coaching is the largest investment of time, often spanning several months.
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