Exam Atlas

Project Management

Project Management certifications

Project and delivery certifications including PMP, PRINCE2, Scrum and agile credentials recognised worldwide.

Project management certifications split along two axes: career stage (entry-level versus experience-gated) and region/method (global PMP, UK/European PRINCE2, agile Scrum). The right choice depends on where you work and how your teams deliver - and the underlying truth is that demonstrated experience leading projects matters as much as any badge.

This hub brings the main project management certifications together with comparisons (PMP vs PRINCE2, PMP vs CAPM, PSM vs PMP) and a career path, so you can match a credential to your stage and market.

9 exams in this field

Where to start

  1. Start: CAPM or PRINCE2 Foundation

    Accessible with no experience - CAPM (global) or PRINCE2 Foundation (UK/Europe) build vocabulary and credibility.

  2. Lead real projects

    Coordinate or lead work to build both competence and the documented experience the PMP later requires.

  3. Flagship: PMP

    Once you meet the experience requirement - the most widely requested project management certification globally.

  4. Match method: PRINCE2 / Scrum / ITIL

    Add a method credential for your market: PRINCE2 (government/UK/EU), Scrum (PSM, agile teams), ITIL (IT service management).

Certification pathway

Foundation
CAPMCSMITIL 4 FoundationPRINCE2 Foundation
Associate / core
ICGBPMI-ACPPSM I
Advanced / expert
ICBBPMP

A rough progression by level, not a strict order - start where your experience fits.

All Project Management exams

Project Management Institute (PMI)

CAPM (PMI)

CAPM by PMI: exam format, cost, the education requirement, difficulty and whether this entry-level project management certification is worth it.

beginner

Scrum Alliance

Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)

Certified ScrumMaster (CSM): the required 16-hour CST course, the open-book exam, cost, validity and whether the Scrum Alliance cert is worth it. Verified.

beginner

PeopleCert (AXELOS)

ITIL 4 Foundation (PeopleCert)

ITIL 4 Foundation: exam format, pass mark, cost and what this IT service management certification covers - a clear 2026 overview.

beginner

International Association for Six Sigma Certification (IASSC)

Lean Six Sigma Black Belt (IASSC ICBB)

IASSC Lean Six Sigma Black Belt (ICBB): the DMAIC phases, deeper statistics, cost, difficulty and whether it is worth it in 2026. Source-checked.

expert

International Association for Six Sigma Certification (IASSC)

Lean Six Sigma Green Belt (IASSC ICGB)

IASSC Lean Six Sigma Green Belt (ICGB): the DMAIC phases, cost, difficulty and whether the certification is worth it in 2026. Source-checked.

intermediate

Project Management Institute (PMI)

PMP - Project Management Professional (PMI)

PMP by PMI: eligibility, exam format, cost, the three domains and an honest look at whether the Project Management Professional is worth it in 2026.

advanced

Project Management Institute (PMI)

PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)

PMI-ACP (Agile Certified Practitioner): the four domains, cost, difficulty and whether the agile certification is worth it in 2026. Source-checked.

intermediate

PeopleCert (AXELOS)

PRINCE2 Foundation (PeopleCert)

PRINCE2 Foundation: exam format, pass mark, cost, what it covers and how it compares to PMP for project managers - a clear 2026 overview.

beginner

Scrum.org

Professional Scrum Master I (PSM I)

Professional Scrum Master I (PSM I): exam format, the 85% pass mark, cost and how this Scrum.org agile certification compares to PMP in 2026.

intermediate

Compare these certifications

Related career paths

Frequently asked questions

PMP or PRINCE2 - which is better?
Neither universally. PMP is experience-based and dominant in North America and globally; PRINCE2 is method-based and strong in the UK, Europe and government. Choose by your target market, or hold both.
Do I need experience to get certified?
For PMP, yes (documented project leadership). CAPM, PRINCE2 Foundation and PSM I have no experience requirement, which makes them good starting points.
What about agile and Scrum?
For dedicated Scrum Master or agile roles, a Scrum certification like PSM I is the most focused. The modern PMP also includes substantial agile and hybrid content.
Which should I take first?
If you do not yet qualify for PMP, start with CAPM or PRINCE2 Foundation and build experience. If you already qualify, go straight to PMP.