Certifications can be a great way to boost your project management career. Whether you’re a project coordinator looking to remain competitive in your niche or one that plans to start looking for new project manager jobs in NJ soon, you may be torn between the PMI-ACP and PMP. If you’re trying to determine which is better, here’s what you need to know.

PMP: An Overview

In the world of project management, the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification is one of the most popular and widely respected options. In many circles, it’s considered the gold standard option. It demonstrates that the certification holder has extensive knowledge regarding project management, including various approaches and methodologies, leadership capabilities, technical know-how, and more.

If you want to qualify for the PMP exam, you’ll need 4,500 to 7,500 hours of project management experience, depending on your education level. Thirty-five hours of project management training is also a must-have.

PMI-ACP: An Overview

While the PMP certification is a standard in the industry, the Project Management Institute Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP) is gaining traction quickly. This credential shows that a professional is familiar with various Agile approaches and methodologies, including Scrum, Lean, Kanban, and more.

For the PMI-ACP exam, you either need 2,000 or project experience or a current PMP or PgMP certification. You also have to have 1,500 hours of experience on Agile projects on top of the first requirement. Twenty-one hours of Agile training are also required.

Which Is Best for a Project Management Career

Since both the PMP and PMI-ACP require substantial time and energy to qualify, and you typically have to study for several months to prepare for the exam, figuring out which one best fits your career is essential.

If you’re a project coordinator trying to choose between the PMP and PMI-ACP, one way to start is to consider which strategies and methodologies are most commonly used in your target workplace. The PMP is a better fit for companies that rely on waterfall or similar approaches. It’ll showcase relevant knowledge far better than an Agile-oriented credential in that scenario.

However, if you’re in an Agile workplace, going with the PMI-ACP could be the better initial choice. Since you don’t need as many hours to qualify for the exam, it’s possible you’ll be eligible to take part faster, too. Then, you can work your way toward PMP with a credential already added to your resume.

In the end, if you plan on looking for higher-level project manager jobs in NJ in the future, getting both is never a bad idea. Extra certifications can help you stand out and showcase your expertise, increasing the odds that you’ll land career-boosting opportunities.

Find a Great Project Manager Contract Position

If you’d like to learn more about how you can take your project management career to the next level, the skilled team at Alpha Consulting wants to hear from you. Contact us to speak with our recruitment team today and see how our expertise can benefit you.

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