Achieving Success with Technical Project Management Certification

Technical project managers are similar to project managers but with a more focused task view that includes a technical background in a specific field. Technical project managers are commonly responsible for IT-related projects and take care of the planning, scheduling, and management of those projects.

Project management specialists make a median annual wage of $98,580 [1]. Positions in this field are likely to grow 7 percent between 2023 and 2033, which is faster than the national average of 4 percent [1]. Explore several popular technical project management certifications that can help you build your skills and make a start on this career path.

Popular technical project management certifications

Technical project management certifications can help you stand out to potential employers who are looking for confirmation of your proficiency in technical product management or to prove that you’re interested in learning about new topics in the field. These certifications can be good options for you to explore as you move forward on your professional project management path.

Project Management Professional (PMP)

The Project Management Professional (PMP) certification from the Project Management Institute covers the skills you need to lead and manage projects and team members. The exam consists of 180 questions on topics such as the people, processes, and business priorities you need to set in place for a professional project.

Requirements: Three paths are available for eligibility to get this certification:

1. A high school diploma or associate degree with a minimum of 60 months of experience in the past eight years managing projects and 35 hours of project management training

2. A bachelor’s degree or higher with 36 months of experience managing projects in the past eight years and 35 hours of project management training

3. A bachelor’s degree or higher from a Global Accreditation Center (GAC)-accredited program with 24 months of managing projects in the past eight years and 35 hours of project management training

Cost: The cost to take the exam is $425 for PMI members and $675 for nonmembers.

CompTIA Project+ certification

The CompTIA Project+ certification covers entry-level skills in project management for small and medium-sized projects. The certification covers methodologies, frameworks, and Agile skills you’ll need for IT projects as well as change management and compliance skills.

Requirements: No requirements, but CompTIA recommends you have six to 12 months of project management experience in IT.

Cost: The cost to take the exam is $369.

PRINCE2 Foundation/Practitioner

Projects in Controlled Environments (PRINCE2) is a process-based certification for project management. The PRINCE2 Foundation certification and PRINCE2 Practitioner certification cover the PRINCE2 methodology and how to apply it to different projects across multiple industries.

Requirements: Nothing is required to get the PRINCE2 Foundation certification, but you must pass the Foundation certification or a similar project management certification to take the PRINCE2 Practitioner exam.

Cost: The certification cost starts at $1,245.25.

Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)

You can earn the Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) if you’re looking for a good foundational certification to demonstrate your knowledge and skills for a project team. The certification covers predictive project management, Agile principles, and business analysis.

Requirements: Requirements for this certification are a high school diploma, GED, or global equivalent, and at least 23 hours of project management education. 

Cost: The cost is $225 for PMI members and $300 for nonmembers.

Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)

The PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP) covers different methodologies you may come across as a technical project manager and demonstrates your understanding of these options. The certification exam tests your knowledge of methodologies such as Scrum, Lean, Kanban, and others.

Requirements: Three requirements are necessary, including a secondary diploma, 24 months of Agile experience in the past five years, and 28 hours of training in Agile practices.

Cost: The cost for the exam is $435 for PMI members and $495 for nonmembers.

How to get technical project management certification

It’s important to develop a plan to help you achieve certification. Use these steps as a guideline.

1. Choose your certification.

Certifications for technical project management can vary from foundational certifications to those that cover more specific areas of expertise. It’s important to review a variety of options before deciding which ones are right for your professional career path.

2. Meet prerequisites.

Each certification may have specific requirements you need to meet before taking the exam (although some have no requirements). Check the requirements to make sure you meet the prerequisites, or set professional goals to meet those requirements so you can take the certification exam at a future point.

3. Create a study plan.

You can create a study plan to help you prepare for a certification exam. Remember to take into account time to do homework, study, or take practice exams, especially if you’re trying to balance preparing for an exam with professional responsibilities.

4. Enroll in courses.

You can find courses through certification organizations that help you prepare for their exams. You’ll also find prep courses through third-party options like Coursera.

5. Schedule your exam.

You can schedule an exam through the certification provider, and you’ll want to make sure you know the details for the exam before you confirm it. Exams are offered in person or online, depending on the provider, so you can review your options based on which one is right for you. You’ll also want to know where the testing locations are if you decide to go in person for the exam.

Who should consider technical project management certification?

If you’re looking for a job as a technical project manager or want to build upon your existing knowledge and expertise, project management certification can be an important addition to your resume. The certification can demonstrate your commitment to project management principles as well as your interest in the technical aspects of project management. It can also show potential employers that you’re motivated to pursue additional learning as a project manager and take on a challenge to boost your career.

Career opportunities with technical project management certification

Earning a technical project management certification can help you with a variety of jobs depending on your professional goals. Some of these job titles and their average annual salaries include:

Technical project manager: $112,333 [2]

IT project manager: $107,217 [3]

Project analyst: $74,390 [4]

Project administrator: $61,011 [5]

Project coordinator: $60,962 [6]

Prepare for your technical project management certification on Coursera

You’ll find a variety of technical project management certifications to help you advance your career. Boost your understanding of technical project management or prepare for certifications with programs on Coursera. You can start with the Project Management Principles and Practices Specialization from the University of California, Irvine, which covers creating a project plan, including a project budget and work schedule.

You may also earn the Google Project Management: Professional Certificate on Coursera, where you can learn Agile fundamentals, project management principles, and leadership skills.