PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)®
October 5, 2022
About the ACP
The PMI's Agile Certified Practitioner (ACP) certification is a great option to show you have a broad understanding of Agile methodologies. I found that this exam relied more on implementing the agile mindset and less on rote memorization and thus required less study time and was an easier overall exam to pass than the PMP. For Technical Project Managers that want a PMI certification, I would recommend the ACP over the PMP.
**The ACP exam undergoes constant review and the content changes on occasion. My experiences are from taking the exam in December 2019. Some content may have changed since that time – always refer to the PMI website.
Pros
- Demonstrates familiarity applying various Agile methodologies, not just one (e.g Scrum)
- Can make you more marketable as a Technical Project Manager, and possibly qualify you for a higher salary
- In my opinion, does not require as rigorous study as other PMI certifications
Cons
- Test was more difficult than PSM
- Expensive ($435 for PMI members and $495 for non-members as of October 2022). Add additional cost for any prep training you might want
- In terms of Agile, not as widely known as the CSM certification
Eligibility Criteria
- Secondary degree
- 21 contact hours of training in agile practices
- 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
Resources I Used
- Study Guide: PMI-ACP Agile Certified Practitioner All-in-One Exam Guide by Josh Phillips
- Udemy Course: PMI-ACP Exam Prep Success
- Udemy Practice Exams: PMI-ACP Practice Exam One - Results
