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PMI ACP Eligibility Requirements: A Complete Guide

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PMI ACP Eligibility Requirements
PMI is making quite some buzz in the Agile space currently. And, if this led you to consider (or reconsider) PMI ACP, you’ve thought of just the right thing to do – checking your eligibility! In this guide, we’ve outlined a detailed checklist to see if you meet the PMI ACP eligibility requirements.

Before we look into minute details about eligibility, let’s first check if your interests and goals match the certification. After all, that is the first step to knowing if it could really bring you the value you seek!

Is PMI ACP Right For Your Career?

Agile is gaining popularity as a method for organizations to deliver value and achieve project success. This trend has given agile certifications an edge among the numerous professional certificates available. As a result, PMI ACP certification has become essential for professionals seeking to upskill.

PMI ACP is one of the fastest-growing agile certifications. The structure of the PMI ACP syllabus facilitates efficient learning. Recent updates to the exam content outline have increased the value of PMI ACP. 

Returning to the certification itself, PMI ACP is among the most widely accepted certificates in the field of agile. PMI ACP brings with it various frameworks, and obtaining PMI ACP certification adds credibility to your professional profile. Additionally, PMI ACP validates your agile expertise.

How PMI Sets the Standard in Certification?

PMI is a leading accreditation body in project management. It’s reliable and has proven itself to be a step ahead of project management trends. All of its certifications are updated and remain relevant to provide maximum benefits to project management professionals. PMI is the institute offering the PMI ACP certification, which further adds to its value. PMI is a global standard that provides best-in-class, industry-recognized certifications.

Eligibility Requirements for PMI ACP:

PMI has changed the eligibility criteria for ACP, aiming to open doors to all project management professionals. They also want to provide open access to Agile methodology for future project managers and Agile practitioners. You need to understand the eligibility requirements to ensure it’s the right fit for you.

Educational Background: 

To qualify for the PMI ACP Certification, you need to tick some boxes on your educational background.
– Secondary diploma is compulsory,
– High school diploma,
– GED,
– an associate degree.
(OR any global equivalent)

Professional Agile Experience: 

The PMI ACP curriculum covers advanced agile frameworks like Scrum and Lean. Therefore, you need some experience with agile methods. The ECO lists agile experiences that count as valid qualifications. These experiences will help you get your PMI ACP Certification. You only need to meet one of the agile experience criteria.

According to the Exam Content Outline the following criteria count towards your professional agile experience:

– Two years of Agile experience within the last 5 years
OR
– One year of Agile experience along with a degree from the Global Accreditation Centre (GAC)
OR
– One year of Agile experience and an active 3rd party Agile certification.
(The certification should be current and earned more than a year ago + The Agile certification should also demonstrate knowledge of Agile approaches and principles.)
OR
– An active PMP Certification is also a valid entry point.

 

Point to Remember: The agile and hybrid experience of a current PMI Certification holder(E.g. PgMP) will be counted as agile experience. (experience should be within the last five years.)

Professional Training: 

PMI ACP Certification requires a deep knowledge of advanced agile methods and techniques. PMI ACP contact hours refer to the verifiable training around these agile methods.
So you need to have formal training as prescribed by PMI. The candidates are now required to record 28 hours of formal training in agile methodology and frameworks. (The earlier requirement was 21 hours which will be accepted till 31st March 2025)

Step-by-Step Guide to Pass PMI ACP Eligibility Requirement

It’s alright if you are still unclear about fulfilling the eligibility criteria. Maybe you are unsure about your professional agile experience, how does the formal training of 28 contact hours help? or which training institute can give you a better learning experience and guaranteed results? Read this section to learn how you can figure out your eligibility criteria and sit for the PMI ACP Exam.

Assessment: The first step towards qualifying for the PMI ACP Eligibility Requirement is to assess your educational background. You need to go through the Exam Content Outline of PMI ACP to get detailed information on the same. Additionally, you can always read the section of this blog on the Eligibility Requirements for PMI ACP.

Log Professional Experience: Professional agile experience is one of the main criteria for you to qualify for PMI ACP. It is essential to record your work experience especially if you have worked on agile as well as general project management. Start by documenting your relevant work experience after careful screening of your previous role and responsibilities. Remember to mention the agile projects in detail with time and scope.

Training: The ECO now mentions 28 hours of formal training, which should be centered around agile best practices and methodology. Also, you need to make sure that the training institute you choose follows the PMI’s prescribed resources and study material.

Prepare Documents: Keeping all the related documents at hand is not an eligibility criterion, but it can make your application process much simpler. Just after you discover that you have passed the eligibility requirements, the first thing is to make sure that you have all the relevant documents. This will also help you if PMI decides to audit your application.

Who Should Get PMI ACP Certified?

As mentioned, PMI ACP is for professionals with experience working in agile environments or trying to transition to agile-specific roles. It can also be suitable for candidates looking to expand their knowledge of Agile and its numerous methodologies. 

Ideal Candidates include:

Agile Practitioners: ACP covers all the major agile frameworks, along with the skills, techniques, and principles, so it is best suited to agile practitioners with prior agile experience. The Job roles include Scrum Master, Developer, Agile Project Manager, and Product Owner. The above job roles require an agile mindset which is also a focus of the PMI ACP Certification. The Certification also offers an opportunity to broaden expertise and validate skills across multiple agile approaches.

Current Agile Certification Holders: Remember that active Agile certification is a valid eligibility mark for opting in for PMI ACP Certification. Professionals with active Agile Certifications like CSM(Certified Scrum Master), PSM(Professional Scrum Master), SAFe (Scaled Agile Framework), etc. can apply for the PMI ACP Exam. The above-stated Agile certification can be credited as 12 months of Agile experience for the eligibility criteria.

Agile Coaches and Consultants: Expert professionals in the field of Agile who serve as Agile Coaches or consultants can get PMI ACP Certified to add value to their profiles. By earning the PMI ACP, you gain credibility and also access to a complete, up-to-date toolkit for future training purposes.

PMP Holders: PMP stands as an individual category in the field of professional experience for passing the PMI ACP requirements. Since PMP holders have a solid foundation in traditional project management, the PMI ACP can serve as an opportunity to gain skills in the Agile domains.

Teams and Organization: PMI ACP is also a perfect solution for organizations looking to improve team performance, deliver value, and initiate collaboration. Teams that are equipped with major Agile methodologies like Scrum, Kanban, and Lean can benefit from getting PMI ACP Certified. The curriculum of PMI ACP can help teams integrate Agile tools more effectively, and bring projects to success.

In Summary:

Agile has created a unique space in the field of project management, with certifications like PMI ACP adding to its demand. In this blog, we have sketched all the necessary details related to the PMI ACP Eligibility Requirement. Check in the requirements of educational background, professional agile experience, and professional training, and you can easily apply for the PMI ACP Exam. Use this guide to begin your application with confidence. 

Interested in more about the PMI ACP Certification? Here’s a must-read blog for you on the PMI ACP Certification Cost. Do give it a quick read!

P.S: Any more queries? Worry Not! We have curated some FAQs to help you regarding PMI ACP. Also, if your question is not on the list, feel free to contact us!

FAQs on PMI ACP Certification And Eligibility Requirements

Does PMI ACP cover Scrum?

Yes, PMI ACP covers Scrum. PMI ACP gives a broad overview of agile methods like Scrum, Kanban, XP, and Lean. The tasks and enablers in the new domains of Mindset, Leadership, Delivery, and Product can provide hands-on experience with various Agile frameworks, including Scrum.

How are other PMI certifications factored into the PMI-ACP application?

If you have a PMI certification like PMP or PgMP, you check off the criteria of Agile and hybrid project experience within the last 5 years. So, you do not need to manually re-enter the experience previously submitted for these certifications, as it will automatically be included in your application.

Can the 3rd party agile certification meet the PMI ACP eligibility requirements?

Yes, an active third-party agile certification like Scrum, SAFe, or similar can be used to fulfill the PMI ACP eligibility requirements. PMI will credit 12 months of Agile experience for any current Agile certification, which should have been earned more than a year ago.

How do I record my formal training hours in the application process? 

Use the designated section in the application form to record your formal training hours. You will need 28 hours of formal training in agile-related coursework to fulfill the training requirements. (Note: PMI will accept 21 hours of professional learning until 31st March 2025)

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