Our Agile Certified Professional (ACP)® Certification classes are currently offered as group training or corporate training.
Agile project management has become increasingly popular in recent years, and for good reason. Agile project management methodologies can help organizations respond more quickly to change, increase efficiency, and deliver higher-quality products and services. One of the best ways to demonstrate your expertise in agile project management is by earning an Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP) certification. In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about ACP certification, including what it is, why it’s important, and how to get certified.
What is the PMI-ACP Certification?
The PMI-ACP certification is a professional certification offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI) that demonstrates expertise in agile project management. The certification is designed for project managers, team members, and stakeholders who work in agile project environments.
To earn the PMI-ACP certification, you must demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of agile project management methodologies, tools, and techniques. You must also have experience working on agile projects, as well as a strong understanding of the agile manifesto and principles.
Why is the PMI-ACP Certification Important?
There are several reasons why ACP certification is important for individuals and organizations involved in agile project management.
First, the PMI-ACP certification demonstrates that you have the knowledge and skills necessary to lead and participate in agile projects. This can increase your credibility and marketability as an agile project management professional and can help you advance your career.
Second, the PMI-ACP certification can help organizations demonstrate their commitment to agile project management. By having certified professionals on staff, organizations can increase their ability to deliver high-quality products and services more quickly and efficiently, which can lead to increased customer satisfaction and revenue.
Finally, the PMI-ACP certification can help improve the overall quality of agile project management. By ensuring that professionals involved in agile projects have a strong understanding of agile methodologies, tools, and techniques, the PMI-ACP certification can help ensure that projects are completed on time, within budget, and deliver value to stakeholders.
How to Get PMI-ACP Certified?
To become PMI-ACP certified, you must meet the eligibility requirements and pass the PMI-ACP exam.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible to take the PMI-ACP exam, you must meet the following criteria:
- A secondary degree and at least 12 months of general project experience within the last 5 years.
- A current PMP®or PgMP® will satisfy this requirement but is not required to apply for the PMI-ACP.
- 8 Months of agile project experience within the last 3 years.
- 21 contact hours of training in agile practices.
Preparing for the ACP Certification Exam
The ACP exam consists of 120 multiple-choice questions that must be completed within a three-hour timeframe. The questions cover a range of topics related to agile project management, including agile principles and mindset, value-driven delivery, stakeholder engagement, adaptive planning, problem detection and resolution, and continuous improvement.
To prepare for the PMI-ACP exam, it is recommended that you use the PMI Agile Practice Guide as your study guide, which provides an overview of agile project management methodologies, tools, and techniques. It is highly recommended to take a PMI-ACP exam preparation class to help you prepare for all the nuances in exam questions. 1st Choice Project Management Training are currently offering group training for PMI-ACP for groups of four or more attendees. Please contact us for further details.
Once you have passed the ACP exam, you must maintain your certification by earning 30 professional development units (PDUs) in agile project management every three years.
Benefits of the PMI-ACP Certification
Earning the PMI-ACP certification can provide several benefits, both for individuals and organizations involved in agile project management.
For individuals, the PMI-ACP certification can:
- Increase your credibility and marketability as an agile project management professional.
- Help you advance your career by demonstrating your expertise in agile project management.
- Provide opportunities for professional development and networking
For organizations, the PMI-ACP certification can:
- Demonstrate a commitment to agile project management and the delivery of high-quality products and services.
- Increase the organization’s ability to deliver projects more quickly and efficiently, leading to increased customer satisfaction and revenue.
- Help build a culture of continuous improvement and innovation within the organization.
In addition to these benefits, the PMI-ACP certification can also help improve the overall quality of agile project management by ensuring that professionals involved in agile projects have a strong understanding of agile methodologies, tools, and techniques.
PMI-ACP vs. Other Agile Certifications
There are several other certifications related to agile project management, including Certified Scrum Master (CSM), Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO), and SAFe Agilist. While these certifications are also valuable and demonstrate expertise in agile project management, there are some key differences between them and the PMI-ACP certification.
CSM and CSPO certifications are specific to the Scrum framework and are offered by the Scrum Alliance. While Scrum is a popular agile framework, it is not the only one. The PMI-ACP certification covers a broader range of agile principles that apply to several agile methodologies, tools, and techniques.
SAFe Agilist certification is specific to the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) and is offered by Scaled Agile, Inc. While SAFe is a popular framework for scaling agile across large organizations, it may not be the best fit for all organizations. The PMI-ACP certification covers a broader range of agile methodologies and can be applied to a variety of project environments.
PMI-ACP Certifications FAQs
The PMI-ACP (Agile Certified Practitioner) certification is a professional certification offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI) that demonstrates expertise in agile project management. It is designed for project managers, team members, and stakeholders who work in agile project environments and requires a strong understanding of agile methodologies, tools, and techniques.
The PMI-ACP certification is focused on the understanding and mastery of agile principles and standards that can be applied to any agile project using any agile methodology. The PMP certification is a broad project management certification that encompasses the knowledge of traditional projects, agile projects and hybrid projects. You must understand and master all three approaches in order to pass the PMP exam.
The cost of the PMI-ACP (Agile Certified Practitioner) exam varies depending on whether you are a PMI (Project Management Institute) member or not. For non-members, the fee is $495, while for PMI members, it is $435.
The PMI-ACP exam tests your application of the ACP principles and framework and is a challenging exam. However, with adequate studying and preparation, there is no reason why you cannot pass the first time. At 1st Choice Project Management Training we will review all the tips and pointers to help you pass the exam the first time.
The amount of time it takes to study for the ACP (Agile Certified Practitioner) certification exam depends on your prior knowledge and experience in agile project management. Once you have attended our class, we generally recommend spending an additional 60-80 hours of studying, that includes reviewing the materials and talking practice exams.
The passing score for the PMI-ACP (Agile Certified Practitioner) exam is not disclosed by the Project Management Institute (PMI). However, it is recommended that you aim score in the upper 70%-80% in your practice exams in order to be confident that you are ready for the real exam.
A secondary degree and at least 12 months of general project experience within the last 5 years.
A current PMP® or PgMP® will satisfy this requirement but is not required to apply for the PMI-ACP.
8 Months of agile project experience within the last 3 years.
21 contact hours of training in agile practices.
To become an PMI-ACP (Agile Certified Practitioner), you must meet the eligibility requirements shown above, which include a combination of education, project management experience, and training in agile practices, and pass the PMI-ACP exam. You can prepare for the exam by taking one of our PMI-ACP courses offered at 1st Choice Project Management Training. Please contact us for more details.
The ACP (Agile Certified Practitioner) exam consists of 120 multiple-choice questions that must be completed within a three-hour timeframe. The questions cover a range of topics related to agile project management, including agile principles and mindset, value-driven delivery, stakeholder engagement, adaptive planning, problem detection and resolution, and continuous improvement.
According to PMI statistics, as of June 2021 there are over 43,000 PMI-ACP credential holders worldwide.
To prepare for the PMI-ACP exam, it is recommended that you use the PMI Agile Practice Guide as your study guide, which provides an overview of agile project management methodologies, tools, and techniques. It is highly recommended to take a PMI-ACP exam preparation class to help you prepare for all the nuances in exam questions. 1st Choice Project Management Training are currently offering group training for PMI-ACP for groups of four or more attendees. Please contact us for further details.
The ACP (Agile Certified Practitioner) exam consists of 120 multiple-choice questions that must be completed within a three-hour timeframe. Candidates should plan to use their time wisely and pace themselves throughout the exam. At 1st Choice Project Management Training we will teach you all the tips and tricks to pass the exam the first time.
Please contact us for more details