PMI-ACP Certification Eligibility Requirements

If you're an aspiring Agile professional looking to elevate your career, the PMI-ACP (Project Management Institute - Agile Certified Practitioner) certification is a highly sought-after credential that validates your expertise in Agile practices and principles. Earning the PMI-ACP certification signifies your mastery in leading Agile projects. This esteemed credential validates your ability to effectively implement frameworks like Scrum, Kanban, and Lean. However, before you start preparing for the exam, it's important to ensure you meet the PMI-ACP prerequisites.

This blog post will equip you with all the information you need to know about PMI-ACP requirements. We'll cover everything from education background to project management and PMI-ACP experience requirements. We'll also help you determine if you're eligible to take the exam and launch your journey toward PMI-ACP certification.

Now, let us grab some ideas on PMI-ACP certification requirements in the next segment.

Requirements of PMI-ACP Certification

The requirements for PMI-ACP certification are broadly designed to ensure your educational background is coupled with project management experience and training in Agile practices. This comprehensive approach ensures that certified practitioners are well-rounded and possess theoretical knowledge and practical experience in agile methodologies. So, what is the PMI-ACP eligibility that you need to address? When it comes to PMI-ACP eligibility criteria, there are specific benchmarks you need to meet. Here are the PMI-ACP eligibility requirements in detail:

1. Educational Background

Secondary Degree: To be eligible for the PMI-ACP certification training, you must have a secondary degree, such as a high school diploma, associate's degree, or the global equivalent. This requirement ensures that you possess a foundational level of education for understanding and applying agile concepts effectively. The certification process values this baseline education as it demonstrates your ability to grasp complex concepts and apply them in real-world scenarios.

2. General Project Experience

2,000 Hours (12 Months): You must have at least 2,000 hours (equivalent to 12 months) of general project experience within the last five years. This experience does not need to be in Agile methodologies; it can be in any project management role. This requirement is designed to ensure that you have a solid foundation in project management principles and practices. Importantly, if you hold a PMP or PgMP certification, this requirement is automatically fulfilled, as these certifications already verify that you have substantial project management experience.

3. Agile Project Experience

1,500 Hours (8 Months): In addition to the general project experience, you must have at least 1,500 hours (equivalent to 8 months) of experience working on Agile project teams or with Agile methodologies. This requirement must be met within the last three years and is on top of the 2,000 hours of general project experience. This ensures that you have specific, hands-on experience with agile practices and frameworks such as Scrum, Kanban, Lean, Extreme Programming (XP), or others. This experience is crucial as it demonstrates your ability to apply agile techniques effectively in real-world projects.

4. Training in Agile Practices

21 Contact Hours: You must complete 21 PMI-ACP contact hours of training in Agile practices. These training hours can be gained through various educational activities, such as attending workshops, courses, or seminars focused on agile methodologies. This formal education helps reinforce your practical experience and ensures you are well-versed in Agile principles. Training can cover a wide range of topics, including Agile project management, Agile methodologies, Agile frameworks, and specific practices like user stories, iterative development, and continuous improvement.

5. Approval and Eligibility Period

Detailed Application: Once you have met all the above requirements, you must complete and submit a detailed application to PMI. The application process involves documenting your educational background, project experience, and Agile training. This documentation is critical for the Project Management Institute (PMI) to verify your eligibility criteria. The application will require detailed descriptions of your project work, your roles, and the specific Agile methodologies you have used. Accurate and thorough documentation ensures your application is processed smoothly and without delays.

Once they approve the application, they will send you an invitation to pay for and schedule the exam. You'll then have one year to take the exam after approval of your application and are eligible to retake the exam up to three times during the eligibility period.

Conclusion

By now, you should have a thorough understanding of the PMI-ACP prerequisites. Remember, meeting these criteria is the first step towards earning this valuable certification. If you find yourself meeting the requirements, the next steps involve application submission, exam preparation, and, ultimately, successfully passing the PMI-ACP exam. This blog post serves as a foundation for your PMI-ACP certification journey. With dedication and the right preparation, you can achieve PMI-ACP certification and showcase your expertise in leading successful agile projects.

FAQs on PMI-ACP Requirements

1. What will count for the 21 hours of PMI-ACP training?

For the PMI-ACP certification course, the 21 contact hours of training can be acquired through instructor-led courses, workshops, seminars, or university courses focusing on agile methodologies. Training from PMI ATPs like Invensis Learning or employer-sponsored programs also qualifies. Attending Agile conferences with relevant sessions can also count towards meeting this requirement.

2. Does PMI-ACP certification expire?

Yes, the PMI-ACP certification does expire. It is valid for three years. To maintain your active certification status, you need to fulfill Continuing Certification Requirements (CCR) by earning Professional Development Units (PDUs) every three years.

3. How is PMI-ACP Certification training different from any other Agile Certifications?

The PMI-ACP Certification course covers a broad range of Agile Methodologies (Scrum, Kanban, XP, FDD, Crystal, DSDM, etc.). Additionally, it has strict requirements for both agile training and agile experience.

4. What are the PMI-ACP exam requirements?

The PMI-ACP exam requirements include having a secondary degree, 2,000 hours of general project experience (fulfilled if you hold PMP or PgMP), and 1,500 hours of agile project experience within the last three years. Additionally, you need 21 contact hours of training in agile practices. Lastly, you must submit a detailed application documenting your educational background, project experience, and agile training.

FAQs on PMI-ACP Exam Prep

What is PMI ACP certification?

PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)® is one of the fastest growing Agile certifications for professionals who want to validate their conceptual and practical understanding of Agile principles and techniques. PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP) certification exam is managed, and administered by PMI. It is responsible for the certification process and controls the best practices in it. Through this certification, you will be tested on practical implementation of Agile principles and knowledge on various Agile methodologies such as Scrum, Kanban, Lean, extreme programming (XP) and test-driven development (TDD).

The PMI-ACP exam is not as difficult compared to the PMP® exam. However, to complete the exam, you need to have practical experience in implementing Agile principles and extensive knowledge of various Agile methodologies such as Scrum, Kanban, Lean, TDD, and others.

PMI-ACP Exam Prep certification has a rigorous exam that covers a broad range of Agile topics. Exam preparation is crucial to familiarize candidates with the exam format and focus areas to ensure they are adequately prepared to answer questions on Agile principles, tools, and techniques.

PMI-ACP Exam Preparation focuses on exam readiness and offers practical knowledge and skills that can be applied in real-world Agile project management scenarios, making you a more effective Agile practitioner.

PMI-ACP Exam Prep often covers strategies for time management, question interpretation, and effective answering techniques. These strategies are designed to enhance the candidate's performance during the actual exam.

While prior Agile experience is beneficial, PMI-ACP Exam Prep Preparation is designed to cater to individuals at various levels of experience. This course provides a comprehensive understanding of Agile concepts, making them accessible to beginners.

The PMI member price for the PMI-ACP Exam Prep is 435 USD. The standard non-member price to take the exam is 495 USD per attempt.

You need to complete a total of 120 questions in 3 hours. The passing score is determined through psychometric analysis.

The PMI-ACP Exam is a three-hour exam. Candidates have a total of 180 minutes to answer the 120 questions. This time includes reviewing exam instructions and completing a post-exam survey.

Yes, we at Invensis Learning offer PMI-ACP Exam Prep Training in an online mode.

PMI-ACP Exam Prep certification enhances career opportunities by validating proficiency in Agile methodologies, making professionals more appealing to employers seeking skilled project managers capable of navigating dynamic project environments.

PMI-ACP Exam Prep certification is beneficial for various roles, including Project Managers, Scrum Masters, Product Owners, Agile Coaches, and anyone involved in Agile project management seeking career advancement.

PMI-ACP Exam Prep certification is often associated with higher earning potential. Certified professionals may command higher salaries due to their demonstrated expertise in Agile project management. According to research, the average salary for someone with a PMI-ACP certified professional is $130,000 annually.

PMI-ACP Exam Prep certification is valued across various industries, including IT, finance, healthcare, and manufacturing, where Agile methodologies are increasingly being adopted for project management.

PMI-ACP Exam Prep certification enhances career growth by positioning professionals as leaders in Agile project management. It opens avenues for promotions, leadership roles, and increased responsibilities within an organization.

Yes, PMI-ACP Exam Prep certification can be advantageous for consultants or freelancers by showcasing expertise in Agile methodologies, making them attractive to clients seeking professionals with proven Agile skills.

PMI-ACP Exam is designed to equip individuals with the knowledge, skills, and strategies needed to successfully pass the PMI-ACP (Agile Certified Practitioner) exam, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of Agile methodologies.

The PMI-ACP Exam Prep Training benefits a wide range of professionals involved in project management, product development, and other roles where Agile methodologies are applied. This training is suitable for Project managers, Agile team members, product managers and product owners, scrum masters, business analysts, quality assurance professionals, IT managers, and executives.

Agile is a breath of fresh air for enterprises who wanted to move away from traditional command and control management styles that spread across industries. By ensuring the workforce moved away from traditional silos to customer-focused multidisciplinary teams, the Agile approach ensured accelerated growth and helped create next-generation Agile practitioners.

Currently, there is huge demand for Agile practitioners with strong foundational skills and companies are looking for professionals who are familiar with multiple Agile methodologies such as Scrum, Kanban, Lean, TDD, ATDD, Extreme Programming and others. Most of the time certified professionals are preferred over non-certified counterparts, because a certification from renowned governing bodies demonstrates core knowledge in the domain and willingness to learn and invest in oneself.

PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP) certification is one of the widely recognized Agile certifications for professionals worldwide.

According to people who have attempted PMI-ACP, the exam is not as difficult compared to the PMP® exam. However, to successfully complete the exam you need to have practical experience of implementing Agile principles and extensive knowledge of various Agile methodologies such as Scrum, Kanban, Lean, TDD, and others.

In this PMI Agile Certified Practitioner exam prep training, you will learn:

  • Agile principles and practices
  • Creating high-performance teams who deliver results on a consistent basis
  • Techniques used for actively managing project scope and ensuring delivery of the best products possible
  • Implementing multi iterative development models for projects
  • Delivering high Velocity Stories and Epics
  • New ways of managing project scope, schedule, budget and quality that are easily improved through effective Agile controls
  • Applying powerful metrics across projects to ensure continuous improvement
  • About Common pitfalls while adopting Agile practices
  • Agile principles of Scrum, Kanban, XP, and TDD
  • and skills required to clear PMI-ACP certification exam

The PMI-ACP exam requirements are:

  • Educational Background: Secondary Degree (high school diploma, associate's degree or global equivalent).
  • General Project Experience: 2,000 hours (12 months) in project teams, which must have been acquired in the last five years.
  • Agile Project Experience: A minimum of 1,500 hours (8 months) of agile project experience within the last three years. These hours should be in addition to the 2,000 hours of general project experience.
  • Training in Agile Practices: 21 contact hours in Agile practices.

Job roles that can benefit from PMI-ACP training include, but are not limited to:

  • Project Managers
  • Project Planners
  • Quality Assurance Staff
  • Developers / Programmers
  • Designers
  • Testers
  • Project Controllers
  • Product Owners
  • Scrum Masters
  • Scrum Team Members
  • Anyone looking to gain knowledge of managing agile projects and understand how Agile is applied and practiced in a project environment

The format for PMI ACP exam is as follows:

  • Exam Type: Multiple Choice Questions
  • Number of Questions: 120
  • Exam Duration: 180 Mins
  • Passing Score: The passing score is determined through psychometric analysis

The PMI member price for the exam is 435 USD. The standard non-member price to take the exam is 495 USD per attempt.

Yes. At Invensis Learning, you can opt to take up this PMI ACP course in live-online delivery mode.

PMI is responsible for both Project Management Professional and PMI Agile Certified Practitioner certifications. While PMP certification validates an individual’s expertise in managing projects and helps their teams bring a project to completion. On the other hand, the PMI-ACP certification recognizes a candidate’s knowledge of agile principles and his/her skill with agile techniques. In simpler terms PMI-ACP focuses on Agile alone, while PMP focuses on project management in general. So, the answer to the question “PMP or PMI-ACP?” depends on the candidate's interest.

The duration of PMI-ACP Exam Prep Training is 3-days.

You need to complete a total of 120 questions in 3 hours. The passing score is determined through psychometric analysis.

To renew or maintain your PMI-ACP, you must earn 30 professional development units (PDUs) in agile topics every three years.

  • Register to become a member of PMI (Optional)
  • Take PMI-ACP exam prep course from PMI REPs such as Invensis Learning
  • Submit your PMI-ACP application through the PMI website & pay the fee
  • Schedule your exam
  • Take the exam and pass it with flying colors

PMI-ACP is specifically designed for Project & Program Managers, Scrummasters, Product Owners, Agile Coaches, Scrum Product Owners, Agile Trainers, Sr. Developers, Business and IT Managers with extensive experience in various Agile methodologies such as Scrum, kanban, XP, lean, DSDM, TDD, ATDD, etc.

In this PMI Agile Certified Practitioner exam prep training, you will learn:

  • Agile principles and practices
  • Creating high-performance teams who deliver results consistently
  • Techniques used for actively managing project scope and ensuring delivery of the best products possible
  • Implementing multi-iterative development models for projects
  • Delivering high-velocity Stories and Epics
  • New ways of managing project scope, schedule, budget, and quality that are easily improved through effective Agile controls
  • Applying powerful metrics across projects to ensure continuous improvement
  • About Common pitfalls while adopting Agile practices
  • Agile principles of Scrum, Kanban, XP, and TDD and skills required to clear PMI-ACP certification exam

To take up PMI-ACP Exam Prep training, participants must have the following:

  • Educational Background: Secondary Degree (High school diploma, associate's degree, or global equivalent)
  • General Project Experience: 2,000 hours (12 months) in project teams, which must have been acquired in the last five years
  • Agile Project Experience: A minimum of 1,500 hours (8 months) of Agile project experience within the last three years. These hours should be in addition to the 2,000 hours of general project experience
  • Training in Agile Practices: 21 contact hours in Agile practices

The exam format for the PMI-ACP Exam is as follows:

  • Exam Type: Multiple Choice Questions
  • Number of Questions: 120 questions
  • Exam Duration: 180 Mins (3 Hours)
  • Passing Score: The passing score is determined through psychometric analysis

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