PMI-ACP (Agile Certified Practitioner) Certification Process

The PMI-ACP certification is renowned for project management and covers a diverse range of agile methodologies, including Scrum, Kanban, Extreme Programming, and Test-Driven Development.

What are the Eligibility Criteria for PMI-ACP Certification?

Professionals must meet certain criteria before pursuing the PMI-ACP certification. Let’s discuss the eligibility criteria in brief:

• Professionals must have a secondary degree, such as a high school diploma or a global equivalent, or a GED (General Educational Development).
• Must have 21 hours of training in agile practices, frameworks, and methodologies.
• Professionals must have 2 years of experience with agile methodologies within the last 5 years.
•  Alternatively, professionals with a third-party certification or who have completed a GAC core project management course are pre-approved to fulfill this requirement.

Know the PMI-ACP certification eligibility & check your eligibility.

Who should apply for PMI-ACP Certification?

The following professionals can go for the certification for a better career and growth:

• Associate Project Managers
• Project Executive
• Project Leaders
• Project Analyst
• Project Coordinators
• Software Engineers
• Testers
• Aspiring Agilists

What are the core components of the PMI-ACP Certification Exam?

The exam comprises 120 MCQs covering various agile methodologies, including Scrum, Kanban, Lean, and TDD. Participants have 180 minutes to complete the exam, which will assess their theoretical and practical skills. The exam will examine your expertise in seven domains of Agile:

How to Prepare for the PMI-ACP exam?

The PMI-ACP exam has no primary study guide. PMI® offers a complete reference list. In addition, the PMI-ACP guide explains the exam process, including processes and policies. The handbook's first two sections are vital and cover exam eligibility, payment policy, online application tutorial, and exam blueprint.

Talk to an Expert

What are the Preparation Strategies for PMI-ACP Certification?

The PMI-ACP is a highly sought-after Agile project management certification. This accreditation boosts your career and offers you an edge. Follow these steps to get PMI ACP Certification:

• Match the Eligibility Criteria: Before taking the certification exam, you must know the PMI-ACP's eligibility requirements. This helps you assess exam eligibility. You will discover how to meet certification requirements if you are not eligible. After meeting eligibility requirements, focus on passing the PMI ACP Exam to get certified.
• Take Proper Training: Choose a PMI-authorized organization for training that will help you pass the exam easily. Simpliaxis provides comprehensive PMI-ACP training that helps professionals pass the exam easily.
• Study the PMI-ACP Handbook: It is essential to understand the guidelines specified in the handbook. It is a complete guide that gives all the vital information about this qualification.
• Submit the Application: Many people overlook this crucial step. Carefully complete the application with accurate information. Our trainers will guide you through the PMI-ACP certification process.
• Start Exam Preparation: This exam really shows how well you know Agile project management. Create a study plan to stay organized and prepare for the PMI ACP Exam Questions. Review the PMI handbook and PMBOK guide to prepare for the exam.
• Exam Scheduling: It must be scheduled before the exam. This is one of the easiest but most important procedures for the PMI-ACP Certification. You can arrange your exam on PMI's website.

Learn more about the exam format to understand the process.

What are the Study Tips for PMI-ACP Certification?

You need to pass the exam to get the PMI-ACP Certification. Tips for passing this exam:

• Manage time: Effective time management boosts passing odds and other benefits. Write the familiar questions first and spend minimal time on the unfamiliar ones.
• Practice Test: Most questions are practical. More practice on situational questions helps you mentally prepare.
• Continuous Practice: Mock practice makes the professional perfect and helps pass the exam easily. 
• Choosing Training Providers: It is essential to select the right providers to gain in-depth knowledge and understanding. 

Read more: PMI-ACP Certification Training Course Syllabus.

What is the Cost of the PMI ACP certification exam?

The examination fees are different for PMI and non-PMI members. Below are cost breakdowns per examination type and PMI membership:

PMI memberships cost $139 for one year and can be renewed annually. The membership offers multiple benefits and professional development opportunities.

Check out our PMI-ACP certification cost page to know the certification cost in detail.

What is the Career Impact & Job Opportunities After PMI-ACP Certification?

Enhanced Knowledge and Skills: Agile is well covered in PMI-ACP certification training. PMI-ACP teaches both theoretical and practical Agile principles by implementing Agile tools and methodologies in real-world situations. You will learn to use Scrum to manage complicated projects, Kanban to improve workflow, and Lean to improve efficiency and value delivery. 

Provide Competitive Advantages: The PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP) certification process gives project managers an edge in the job market, especially as Agile approaches spread across industries. Today's flexible, fast-paced project contexts recognize this certification's strong understanding of Agile principles and its practical application. PMI-ACP-certified personnel are sought after by businesses for their adaptability and responsiveness.

Increase Salary Potential: The PMI-ACP certification process boosts Agile skills and yields global financial rewards. Market data and salary surveys show that PMI-ACP-certified professionals earn more than non-certified professionals, demonstrating the importance of Agile skills. This credential opens the door to higher-paying, more responsible jobs. It is especially useful for project managers, Agile coaches, and Scrum masters who apply Agile methods. Demand and financial benefits for PMI-ACP-certified experts will remain high, indicating the growing importance of Agile knowledge across numerous industries.

Organizational Benefits: Businesses that hire PMI-ACP-certified professionals benefit significantly. These Agile-savvy professionals improve the workplace. They improve organizational efficiency and responsiveness by effectively managing projects. Here are some of the major benefits firms will obtain from PMI-ACP-certified professionals. These benefits span from project execution to team cooperation and organizational agility, demonstrating the value these individuals bring to any business.

Read more: PMI-ACP (Agile Certified Practitioner) Course Learning Objectives

What is the Certification Renewal & Continuing Education

PMI members and non-members need to pay the following fees to retake the  ACP exam:

• PMI members for re-examination: $150
• Non-PMI members for re-examination: $200

Read more: PMI-ACP certification renewal process

Frequently Answered Questions: 

1. How much time does it take to prepare for the PMI-ACP exam?

It depends on individual performance and dedication, but the PMI-ACP certification process requires 21  hours of comprehensive training to pursue the exam. In general, 2-3 months of continuous practicing and learning can help professionals to clear the exam easily. 

2. What happens if my eligibility expires and I have not taken the PMI-ACP exam?

The PMI-ACP exam eligibility expires one year from approval. If you are not taking the exam, your application becomes invalid. You must submit a new application and pay the application fees again. 

3. Can I retake the exam if I fail in the 1st attempt?

Yes. The PMI-ACP has retake options. Your one-year PMI eligibility includes three retakes. But you need to pay extra for reexamination.

4. What is the cost to retake the exam?

The exam retake fee is around $ 335 for PMI members and $395 for non-members. Professionals have a one-year eligibility period to pass the exam, during which they can retake it up to 3 times.

5. How difficult is the PMI-ACP exam?

It is considered moderately challenging, as the exam is scenario-based and situational-based. But proper training and preparation make the process simple.

6. What is the pass mark for the PMI-ACP exam?

It is a closed-book exam like other PMI courses; the passing score is not disclosed.

7. Is ACP harder than PMP?

PMP is considered more challenging compared to PMI-ACP. The eligibility criteria also state that PMP requires more experience than PMI-ACP.

8. How much does PMI-ACP cost?

PMI-ACP certification exams cost $435 for members and $495 for non-members for the conventional computer-based test, with slightly reduced paper-based choices in select countries.

9. What is the best and fastest way to prepare for the PMI-ACP?

Enroll with Simpliaxis, and you will receive comprehensive training through an impact-driven curriculum that will help you pass the exam easily. 

10. What Will You Learn From this PMI-ACP Certification Training Course?

Professionals will develop the following skills through our training:

• Develops Agile principles and mindset
• Working knowledge of Agile
• Delivering high-velocity stories
• Adaptive Planning and Agile Project Management
• Scrum Framework & Kanban Methodology 
• Value Stream Mapping & Risk Management
• Continuous improvement techniques   

11. How to Apply for the PMI-ACP Certification Exam?

The exam requires 21 hours of training, and then you submit an application on PMI.org detailing your agile experience. 

12. Why should I choose PMI-ACP Certification?

The training for the PMI-ACP certification enhances your understanding and skills in Agile in numerous ways. Helps you improve your management of Agile projects. Obtaining the PMI-ACP license unlocks new possibilities in Agile project management. Makes you more appealing to companies.

13. Are there any requirements to maintain the PMI-ACP Certification?

The PMI-ACP certification needs 30 PDUs every three years for renewal. 

14. What are the eligibility requirements to take the PMI-ACP exam?

You need to fulfill some criteria before pursuing the PMI-ACP certification.

• Education: You must have a secondary degree, such as a high school diploma, or global equivalent, or GED (general educational development)
• Agile Training: You must have 28 hours of training in agile practices, frameworks, and methodologies.
• Agile Experience: Candidates must have 2 years of experience with agile methodologies within the last 5 years. Alternatively, candidates with a third-party certification or who have completed a GAC core project management course are pre-approved to fulfill this requirement.

15. What happens if my eligibility expires and I have not taken the exam?

When your application closes, you must reapply and pay the full exam fee again to take it.