Project management certifications have held a prominent place in almost every high-end IT certification listing for several years now. This is because project managers are very important to IT departments of all types. Whether you want to become an IT project manager yourself or simply wish to boost your current project management skills, these top certifications can help you either gain knowledge and/or improve your abilities. What’s more, these certifications do not need any prerequisites to enter or progress into them. Therefore, they serve as a great starting point for someone looking to become a project manager. If you already know the basics of project management, you will likely be able to find a certification to match your level and move forward towards your goal.

Project Management Professional (PMP) certification was first created as a means to train and certify project managers. The PMP certification is also recognized by other professionals in the IT field, including those in various fields associated with project management. As such, the PMP certification has gained quite a bit of clout over the past decade.

The PMP program management professional (PMP) credentials earned by those in this program are recognized internationally. However, there are certain requirements needed to be fulfilled to be eligible for the PMP program management certification. These requirements generally consist of: A four-year bachelor’s degree in a technical discipline, preferably one focusing on information technology, information systems, computer science, or business administration. Some of the technical degrees that may lead to PMP credentials include Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Computer Science. Others require specialized training in a particular field as well.

For many project management professionals who have achieved the necessary educational background and are seeking to qualify as a certified associate in project management (CAPM), the next step is to take the exams required for the program. The Institute of Chartered Accountants (ICCA) offers a test known as the Certified Chartered Accountant (CCA) examination. Like the PMP exam, the CCA requires passing a certain number of exam-type tests, which will depend on the specific program. If you plan to pursue an associate’s in project management (CAPM) from a traditional college or university, your testing will occur at that institution.

There are several other professional certifying bodies available that offer entry-level project management certifications. The Association for Project Management (APM) is one of these bodies. In order to be certified by APM, project professionals must first complete the five-step Comptia A+ exam. Passing this exam can guarantee you a certification from the organization, but it is not a requirement. Many APM members choose to become certified online through the University of Maryland University College (UMAC).

The third option for those looking for a certified project management (CPMS) credential is the Professional Institute for Project Management (PIPM). The CPMS credential is earned by project managers who have successfully completed at least one year of course work at IPM. The course work at IPM is extensive, consisting of numerous labs and seminars. The PIPM exam is available from any accredited college or university and is administered by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA). Unlike the CPMS, the PIPM certification process does not require any course work.

The fourth type of Project Management Professional (PMP) is the agile practitioner. Agile is a methodology that is increasingly used by project management professionals. The agile methodologies encourages both quality and quantity, allowing project teams to meet their deliverables faster and within budget. While a few project management professionals may be unfamiliar with the agile method, most of the world has heard of the scrum, a form of agile project management. Most scrums are either former agile project managers or consultants who have been trained in the basics. The project manager should consider becoming an agile practitioner if he or she wants to continue working on projects within a project management organization.

All of these four Project Management Professional (PMP) certifications are well respected by the global workforce. Any person interested in pursuing a career in project management should review all of the certification options. Project management professionals can pursue a variety of jobs, from chief executives to technical project management specialists. The Project Management Professional (PMP) credential holds great earning power for professionals who possess it and those who aspire to achieve the level of earning power once held by the PMP credential holders.