PMI-ACP Certification

What is PMI-ACP?

PMI-ACP stands for ‘Project Management Institute – Agile Certified Practitioner.’ It is one of the Project Management Institute (PMI) certifications. ACP Certification is awarded to qualifying candidates who meet specific requirements and pass an examination. PMI-ACP is an internationally recognized and popular certification in Agile Practice. PMI-ACP certification applies to projects of various disciplines, sectors, and industries and is transferable across geographic boundaries.

PMI-ACP is Affirmation of Individual specialized knowledge and commitment to rapidly growing agile approach to project management.

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Growth of PMI-ACP Credential Holders

The graph below shows the growth of  PMI-ACP designation holders over the last ten years.

Most importantly, these PMI-ACP credential holders are spread over 200 countries worldwide. The growth in number displays professionals’ and employers’ popularity, interest, and confidence in PMI-ACP certification.

Who are PMI-ACP?  and what they do?

PMI-ACP designation holders do possess general knowledge and experience in Project Management. However, they also demonstrate in-depth knowledge of agile principles, practices, tools, and techniques. They can apply multiple approaches to Project Management. Overall, they contribute to project success as a subject matter expert in Agile Practices.

Benefits of PMI-ACP

PMI-ACP  certification has Global Recognition. It is an excellent Career Development tool that adds value to the resume and broadens job opportunities and Higher earning potentials. Certification enables to learn and apply advanced level agile approaches to Project Management. It certainly provides added value to employer organizations and increases customer confidence. More organizations are relying on certified professionals in Agile Practices. 

PMI-ACP Certification Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria based on four significant items;

• Education,
• General Project Experience,
• Agile Project Experience, and
• Training in Agile Practices. 

PMI-ACP Experience Requirement is dependent on the candidate’s education.

Secondary School Diploma, or Associate Degree holder candidates, General Project Experience Requirement, is 12 months earned in last five years. Unique Agile Project Experience Requirement (in addition to General Project experience) is eight months and gained in previous three years. And Training Requirement in Agile Practices is 21 Contact Hours.

For four years Bachelor’s degree holders, or Post Graduate Masters Degree Holders General Project Experience is not required. However, the necessary experience working in agile project teams is eight months. Training Requirement in Agile Practices is 35 Contact Hours.

One hour of classroom instructions equals one contact hour. 

PMI-ACP Exam Fee

Once the application is processed, PMI will ask the candidate to pay the exam fee. PMI-ACP exam fee varies based on candidate PMI membership status. For PMI members exam fee is US$ 435, while for non-members, it is US$ 495. PMI membership fee is US$129 a year. To apply for PMI-ACP certification, candidates don’t have to be members of PMI.

PMI-ACP Exam

PMI-ACP Exam conducted as a Center Based Testing or CBT. In it …, candidates sit in the exam at a local Pearson VUE Testing Center.

Online Proctor Testing or OPT is also available for PMI-ACP Exam.  In it, you can take the exam from home or office. To take OPT exam, you need a computer, mic, webcam and reliable internet. Monitoring during the exam is done through a webcam and mic. From the date of issue of eligibility ID, the candidate has one year period to schedule an exam and has three chances to appear.

PMI-ACP Exam Content Outline

PMI-ACP Certification exam follows the examination content outline. Percentage of Exam Questions is break up among seven domain areas is as under;

• Domain I. Agile Principles and Mindset 16%
• Domain II. Value-driven Delivery  20%
• Domain III. Stakeholder Engagement 17%
• Domain IV. Team Performance 16%
• Domain V. Adaptive Planning 12%
• Domain VI. Problem Detection and Resolution 10%
• Domain VII. Continuous Improvement (Product, Process, People) 9%

PMI-ACP Exam Format

PMI-ACP® Exam is available in 5 languages. Exam Time is 180 Minutes or three hours. The exam consists of 120 questions; only 100 questions are graded out of it. The format of Questions asked is multiple choice. The exam performance report is immediately available after the closing of the exam. Candidates receive a printed copy of preliminary test results and an overall pass/fail status.

Once Exam is Passed, you refer yourself as PMI-Agile Certified Practitioner.

PMI-ACP Maintenance and Renewal

After passing the exam, next follow the maintenance phase. PMI-ACP credential holders must earn 30 PDUs in three years. Pay renewal fee and get a Renewal Certificate for the next three years cycle. PDU stands for Professional Development Unit. One hour of learning accounts for one PDU.