Top 5 Project Management Certifications That You Should Consider for Your Career Growth in 2020

Project management has evolved from a loosely defined set of organizational skills into a rigorous professional discipline with globally recognized frameworks, methodologies, and credentials. Organizations across every industry now recognize that the difference between a project that delivers on time and within budget and one that fails to meet its objectives often comes down to the quality of the person leading it. This growing recognition has elevated the importance of formal project management certifications in hiring decisions, promotion considerations, and salary negotiations around the world.

For professionals who are serious about advancing their careers in project management, earning a recognized certification sends a clear signal to employers about the depth of their knowledge and their commitment to professional excellence. The landscape of available certifications can be overwhelming, however, with numerous options offered by different organizations using different frameworks and targeting different experience levels. Understanding which credentials carry the most weight in the current market and which align best with individual career goals is an essential first step in making a sound investment of time and resources.

The Project Management Professional Certification and Its Global Standing

The Project Management Professional credential, universally known as the PMP, is offered by the Project Management Institute and stands as the most widely recognized and respected project management certification in the world. Earning the PMP demonstrates that a professional has not only studied project management theory but has also accumulated substantial hands-on experience leading projects and has committed to ongoing professional development. The combination of experience requirements and rigorous examination makes the PMP a credential that genuinely distinguishes its holders in the job market.

To qualify for the PMP examination, candidates must meet specific educational and experience thresholds. Those with a four-year degree must have at least three years of project management experience and 35 hours of project management education. Candidates with a secondary diploma or associate degree are required to demonstrate five years of experience. The examination itself covers predictive, agile, and hybrid project management approaches, reflecting the reality that modern project managers must be comfortable operating across multiple methodologies. For professionals targeting senior roles or international career opportunities, the PMP remains the benchmark credential to pursue.

PRINCE2 Certification and Its Prevalence in European Markets

PRINCE2, which stands for Projects in Controlled Environments, is a structured project management methodology that originated in the United Kingdom and has since gained widespread adoption across Europe, Australia, and many other regions around the world. Managed by AXELOS, PRINCE2 provides a highly prescriptive framework that defines specific roles, processes, and documentation requirements for managing projects. This structured approach makes it particularly popular in government, public sector, and large enterprise environments where consistency and auditability are priorities.

The PRINCE2 certification pathway begins with the Foundation level, which tests candidates on their understanding of the methodology’s key concepts, principles, and terminology. After passing Foundation, candidates can progress to the Practitioner level, which tests the ability to apply PRINCE2 principles in real project scenarios. A newer Agile variant, PRINCE2 Agile, combines the structured framework with agile practices, reflecting the growing need for hybrid approaches. For professionals working in or targeting European markets, PRINCE2 credentials are frequently listed as requirements in job postings, making them a highly practical investment.

Certified Associate in Project Management for Entry Level Professionals

The Certified Associate in Project Management, known as CAPM, is also offered by the Project Management Institute and serves as an accessible entry point for professionals who are earlier in their project management careers. Unlike the PMP, the CAPM does not require years of professional project management experience, making it suitable for recent graduates, career changers, and professionals who are transitioning into project management roles from other disciplines. It serves as a credible demonstration of commitment to the field and foundational knowledge of project management principles.

The CAPM examination tests candidates on the content of the Project Management Body of Knowledge, which is the PMI’s comprehensive guide to project management processes, knowledge areas, and best practices. Passing the exam demonstrates familiarity with concepts such as project integration, scope management, schedule management, risk management, and stakeholder engagement. For professionals who eventually plan to pursue the PMP, the CAPM provides an excellent preparatory step that builds familiarity with PMI’s terminology and framework while delivering a recognized credential that adds immediate value to a resume.

Agile Certifications and Their Rising Importance Across Industries

The widespread adoption of agile methodologies across software development, product management, and increasingly other industries has created strong demand for professionals who can demonstrate formal competence in agile practices. Several organizations offer agile-specific certifications, with some of the most recognized including the PMI Agile Certified Practitioner, known as PMI-ACP, and the Scrum credentials offered by Scrum.org and the Scrum Alliance. These certifications address the growing reality that many organizations are moving away from traditional waterfall approaches toward iterative, flexible project delivery models.

The PMI-ACP is particularly notable because it covers a broad range of agile frameworks rather than focusing exclusively on Scrum, including Kanban, Lean, Extreme Programming, and others. This breadth makes it a versatile credential that demonstrates adaptability across different agile environments. Scrum-specific certifications such as the Professional Scrum Master and Certified ScrumMaster are more narrowly focused but are highly valued in technology and product development environments where Scrum is the dominant framework. For professionals working in or moving toward agile environments, these credentials are increasingly essential rather than simply advantageous.

IPMA Certifications and Their Competence Based Framework

The International Project Management Association, known as IPMA, offers a distinctive certification framework that differentiates itself from other credentials through its emphasis on competence assessment rather than knowledge-based examination alone. The IPMA certification system is organized into four levels, designated A through D, which correspond to different stages of professional development from project management associate at Level D through to certified projects director at Level A. This tiered structure allows professionals to enter the framework at an appropriate level and progress as their experience and capabilities grow.

What makes IPMA certifications particularly interesting is the assessment methodology, which incorporates not just written examinations but also portfolio submissions, interviews, and workplace assessments that evaluate how candidates actually perform in project management roles. This holistic approach means that earning an IPMA credential requires demonstrating real competence rather than simply passing a multiple-choice examination. For professionals who have accumulated significant practical experience and want a credential that reflects that depth of real-world capability, the IPMA framework offers a meaningful and rigorous path to recognition.

How to Assess Which Certification Fits Your Career Stage

Selecting the right project management certification requires honest self-assessment of several key factors, including current experience level, target industry, geographic location, preferred methodology, and long-term career aspirations. A professional who is just entering the project management field will have very different needs from someone with a decade of experience who is targeting a director-level role. Beginning with the wrong certification can mean investing time and money in a credential that does not align with where the candidate actually is in their career or where they are trying to go.

Experience level is perhaps the most immediate filter to apply. Entry-level professionals and career changers should look first at the CAPM or PRINCE2 Foundation, while those with several years of experience are well-positioned to pursue the PMP or PRINCE2 Practitioner. Professionals working in agile-dominant environments should evaluate whether an agile-specific credential is more immediately relevant to their current role than a traditional project management certification. Taking the time to research which certifications appear most frequently in job postings within a target industry and region provides valuable market intelligence that can guide this decision.

The Financial Return on Project Management Certification Investment

One of the most compelling arguments for pursuing a recognized project management certification is the measurable impact it can have on earning potential. The Project Management Institute regularly publishes salary surveys that consistently show certified project managers earning significantly more than their non-certified counterparts, both in absolute terms and as a percentage of their previous salaries. The PMP in particular has a well-documented correlation with higher compensation across countries and industries, with certified professionals often reporting salary increases following certification that substantially exceed the cost of preparing for and taking the examination.

Beyond immediate salary impacts, certifications open doors to opportunities that might otherwise be inaccessible. Many organizations require specific certifications for senior project management roles, meaning that holding the right credential is not just advantageous but necessary for advancement. The return on investment from project management certification therefore includes not only the salary premium associated with the credential itself but also the value of career opportunities that become available as a direct result of holding it. When evaluated over the course of a full career, this return is substantial.

Preparation Strategies That Maximize Examination Performance

Preparing effectively for a project management certification examination requires more than simply reading the recommended study materials from cover to cover. Successful candidates typically combine multiple preparation approaches that reinforce understanding from different angles. Reading foundational texts such as the PMBOK Guide provides essential theoretical knowledge, but working through practice examinations is equally important because it develops the ability to apply that knowledge in the scenario-based question formats that most project management exams use.

Joining study groups or enrolling in instructor-led preparation courses adds further value by providing opportunities to discuss complex concepts, clarify misunderstandings, and learn from the experiences of others who are working through the same material. Many candidates also find it helpful to create structured study plans that allocate specific amounts of time to each knowledge domain, ensuring that no major topic area is neglected in the weeks leading up to the examination. Consistent, disciplined preparation over a period of several months is generally more effective than intensive last-minute studying.

Continuing Education Requirements After Initial Certification

Earning a project management certification is not a one-time achievement but an ongoing commitment to professional development. Most recognized certifications require holders to fulfill continuing education requirements in order to maintain their credentials over time. The PMP, for example, requires certified professionals to earn 60 professional development units every three years, which can be accumulated through a combination of education, giving back to the profession through teaching or volunteering, and working in project management roles.

These continuing education requirements serve an important purpose beyond simply maintaining the credential. They ensure that certified professionals remain current with evolving best practices, emerging methodologies, and changes in the project management landscape. The field of project management is not static, and the skills and knowledge that were sufficient five years ago may not fully address the challenges of today’s complex, fast-moving project environments. Embracing ongoing learning as an integral part of professional life, rather than viewing it as a burden imposed by certification requirements, is the mindset that distinguishes truly exceptional project managers.

Networking Benefits Associated with Certification Communities

Joining the community of certified project management professionals provides access to a global network of peers, mentors, and industry leaders that can be genuinely valuable throughout a career. The Project Management Institute, for example, has chapters in cities around the world that host regular events, workshops, and networking opportunities for members. These chapter activities provide a forum for sharing experiences, discussing challenges, and building relationships with other professionals who share a common foundation of knowledge and commitment to the discipline.

Professional communities built around certifications also serve as sources of career opportunities, with many positions circulated among members before they are advertised publicly. Senior professionals within these networks often mentor less experienced members, providing guidance and perspective that accelerates professional development in ways that formal education alone cannot. The value of these network connections compounds over time, as relationships built early in a career can yield opportunities, referrals, and collaborations for years or even decades afterward.

Combining Multiple Certifications for a Comprehensive Professional Profile

Rather than viewing different project management certifications as competing alternatives, many professionals strategically combine credentials to build a more comprehensive and versatile professional profile. A common and highly effective combination is to earn the CAPM early in a career as a foundation, progress to the PMP once sufficient experience has been accumulated, and then add an agile credential such as the PMI-ACP to demonstrate competence across both traditional and agile delivery approaches. This combination signals to employers that the candidate is capable of leading projects within any framework the organization uses.

For professionals targeting specific geographic markets, adding a PRINCE2 credential to a PMP creates a particularly strong international profile that is recognized across both North American and European markets. The investment in multiple certifications, while requiring significant time and financial commitment, pays dividends in the form of expanded career options, stronger negotiating positions in salary discussions, and the confidence that comes from having built genuinely broad expertise. The most successful project management professionals tend to view certification not as a destination but as an ongoing journey of structured professional development.

Conclusion

The five project management certifications explored throughout this article each represent a distinct and valuable pathway toward professional recognition and career advancement. The PMP remains the gold standard for experienced professionals seeking global credibility, while PRINCE2 provides the structured methodology and market recognition essential for those targeting European and public sector environments. The CAPM offers an accessible and credible entry point for those earlier in their careers, agile certifications address the growing demand for flexible delivery expertise, and the IPMA framework provides a competence-based alternative that honors the depth of real-world experience.

What unites all five of these credentials is their capacity to transform how professionals are perceived by employers, colleagues, and clients. In a competitive job market where many candidates possess similar technical skills and general experience, a recognized project management certification provides a differentiating signal that communicates both competence and commitment. Employers making hiring decisions or promotion choices between otherwise comparable candidates will consistently favor the individual whose credentials provide an objective and externally validated measure of their knowledge and capability.

The decision to pursue a project management certification is ultimately a decision to invest in oneself, and like all meaningful investments, it requires careful planning, sustained effort, and a willingness to commit resources toward a long-term goal. The preparation process itself is not merely a means to an end but a valuable educational experience that deepens understanding, challenges assumptions, and builds the kind of structured thinking that makes project managers genuinely effective in their roles. Many certified professionals report that the process of preparing for their examination was among the most professionally enriching experiences of their careers, even before they sat the exam itself.

For professionals standing at a decision point about their next career move, the question is not really whether to pursue a project management certification but rather which one to pursue first and how to sequence subsequent credentials for maximum impact. The answer to that question depends on where an individual is right now and where they want to be, but for almost every professional in or adjacent to the project management field, at least one of the certifications discussed here represents a sound and strategically wise next step. Taking that step in 2020 means entering the next decade of professional life with stronger credentials, deeper knowledge, and greater career options than would otherwise be available.