Exam Comparison
PMI-ACP vs PMP
Comparing the PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP) and the PMI Project Management Professional (PMP). Both fall under Professional Certifications.
The Bottom Line
The PMP is the primary credential, broader recognition, and its current exam already covers substantial agile and hybrid content. The PMI-ACP is a complement for practitioners in deeply agile organizations, not an alternative. Take the PMP first unless your entire career lives inside agile delivery teams.
PMI-ACP vs PMP: At a Glance
| Detail | PMI-ACP | PMP |
|---|---|---|
| Full Name | PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP) | PMI Project Management Professional (PMP) |
| Governing Body | PMI | PMI |
| Number of Questions | 120 | 180 |
| Time Limit | 3 hours | 230 minutes |
| Passing Score | Not disclosed (proficiency scale) | Above Target / Target / Below Target across 3 domains (no numeric score) |
| Exam Fee | $435 (PMI members) / $495 (non-members) | $405 (PMI members) / $555 (non-members) |
| Category | Professional Certifications | Professional Certifications |
| C3RT App | Professional Cert Exam Prep: SHRM, LEED, PMI & Six Sigma Soon | IT Management Cert Exam Prep: PMP, CISM, CISA & Java Soon |
Content Areas Compared
PMI-ACP Domains
- Agile Principles and Mindset(16%)
- Value-Driven Delivery(20%)
- Stakeholder Engagement(17%)
- Team Performance(16%)
- Adaptive Planning(12%)
- Problem Detection and Resolution(10%)
- Continuous Improvement(9%)
PMP Domains
- People(42%)
- Process(50%)
- Business Environment(8%)
- Delivery Approaches (Predictive, Agile, Hybrid)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between PMI-ACP and PMP?
The PMP certifies project leadership across delivery approaches, roughly half its exam involves agile or hybrid contexts, alongside predictive planning, stakeholders, risk, and team leadership. The PMI-ACP certifies agile practice specifically: Scrum, Kanban, Lean, XP, agile metrics and contracting, tested at practitioner depth with its own agile-experience requirement. The PMP is requested in far more job postings; the ACP’s value concentrates in organizations where agile fluency is the daily currency.
Can I take both the PMI-ACP and the PMP?
A sensible pair for agile-heavy careers: PMP for the market, ACP for the specialization. PMI’s shared PDU system lets the same continuing education renew both, which makes the second credential cheap to maintain once earned.
Which should I take first, PMI-ACP or PMP?
PMP first for nearly everyone, it satisfies the "PM certification" checkbox everywhere, including agile shops. Add the ACP after, if your role is embedded in agile teams (scrum master adjacent, agile coach track, or agile-transformation consulting) and you want documented depth beyond the PMP’s coverage.
Does C3RT cover both the PMI-ACP and the PMP?
C3RT is building apps for both the PMI-ACP and the PMP. Both will be available on iOS and Mac.
The PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP) (PMI-ACP) is administered by PMI. The PMI Project Management Professional (PMP) (PMP) is administered by PMI. C3RT is not affiliated with either organisation. Certification names and trademarks are the property of their respective owners.