What is the best project management certification in 2026?
Introduction
While any project management certification is good to have, some are more specialized than others. It pays to know which project manager certification can be applied to your work, and which are tailored to suit specific industries or work environments. A FAQsPRINCE2 Agile certification for example, is aimed at those who already have a PRINCE2 certification and what to adapt what they know to suit an Agile environment.Click or scroll
Every certification has a different purpose, different prerequisites, and tests different criteria. So, what you really must ask is: “What project management certification is best for me?”APMG Change Management at a glance
What is the best project management certification for me?APMG Change Management qualifications provide a structured approach to leading and supporting change, focusing on people, organisational culture, and effective communication.
A project manager certification can be put into one of three categories: beginner certification, intermediate certification and expert certification.By progressing from Foundation to Practitioner, you learn both the core concepts and how to apply change management techniques to real programmes, projects, and transformation initiatives.
A beginner certification is one that has no prerequisites (i.e. it requires no previous experience or knowledge). If you’re new to project management, or if you don’t have any other accreditation, you’ll want to start here.Compare course options
An intermediate certification is a bit of a mixed bag. Some are just extensions of beginner certifications, while others are aimed at working professionals with at least a few months of project management experience. For this article, we’ll consider intermediate certifications as those that have some entry requirements but don’t require you to be an expert in project management.Proven framework
Expert certifications are still rare. There are only a handful, and those that do exist are less of a learning opportunity and more a badge of excellence rewarded to project managers who take a keen interest in project management theory.Use a structured framework to plan, communicate, and embed change more effectively across your organisation.
Beginner project management certifications
This category includes only those certifications that have no entry requirements and are suitable for new project managers or those who have some prior experience in project management and want to gain their first certification.
APM PFQAnyone involved in change who needs a solid understanding of key concepts, models, and terminology.
The Association for Project Management offers the Instructor-led, self-pacedProject Management Qualification which tests whether you have a deeper understanding of project management. The Both exams includedAPM PMQ certification is usually taken by students having a few years’ experience of project management.Includes both exams
There is no prerequisite for this certification, so you do not need to hold the APM PFQ certificate already.
To gain your APM PMQ certificate, the typical learning path is Both certificatesAPM PMQ training which takes 5 days, or 35 hours if studying online.Combined
PRINCE2 PractitionerStill not sure which course is right for you?
A See our quick guidePRINCE2 Practitioner or certification requires that you first hold the PRINCE2 Foundation certificate. The Practitioner certification tests you on your ability to apply PRINCE2 to life-like project scenarios. More particularly, it tests whether you can apply the PRINCE2 principles, practices, and processes to a fictional project scenario.chat with an advisor
After PRINCE2 Foundation, the PRINCE2 Practitioner certification is probably the top project management certification in the UK.Choose how you learn
To gain your PRINCE2 Practitioner certificate, the typical learning path is Study APMG Change Management in a way that fits your schedule, with live online classes, flexible self-paced study, or tailored in-house training.PRINCE2 Practitioner training Instructor-led which takes 2 days, or 15 hours if studying online. Training can also be combined with the Foundation certification. In this case, training takes 4 days, or 35 hours if studying online.
It should be noted that since the release of Live virtual classes with expertsPRINCE2 7Guided through key models and toolsthGroup discussions and real examples edition , the prerequisites for the Practitioner certification have changed. You must now hold one of the following certificates:
- PRINCE2 Foundation or PRINCE2 Practitioner (6View course datesth edition) Self-paced online
- APM Project Management Qualification (PMQ)
- APM Project Professional Qualification (PPQ)Learn whenever it suits you
- PMIInteractive modules and quizzes®Ideal for busy professionals Certified Associate in Project Management
- PMI ®View enrol options Project Management Professional (PMP) ® Corporate / team training
- IPMA ®Aligns change concepts to your context Levels A, B, C or D.Train whole teams together
IPMASupports organisation-wide change® is a registered trademark of IPMA in Switzerland and other countries.
PRINCE2 Agile PractitionerRequest a quote
PRINCE2 Agile Practitioner certification requires that you first hold either a PRINCE2 Foundation or PRINCE2 Agile Foundation certificate. It is only suitable if you work in an agile environment and want to apply the PRINCE2 framework. The exam tests you on your ability to apply PRINCE2 appropriately in an agile context.
To gain your PRINCE2 Agile Practitioner certification, the typical learning path is All options include accredited training, exam entry, and APMG Change Management certification on passing the exam.PRINCE2 Agile Practitioner trainingEnrol on an APMG Change Management course which takes 2 days, or 21 hours if studying online. Training can also be combined with the PRINCE2 Agile Foundation. In this case, training takes 4 days, or 33 hours if studying online.Choose your preferred delivery format and course option below. All options include accredited training and the official exam.
AgilePM Practitioner
AgilePM Practitioner certification requires that you hold an AgilePM Foundation certificate. It is suitable if you want to apply the agile project framework on projects. AgilePM Practitioner is a popular choice for project managers working in an agile context.Choose delivery format:
To gain your AgilePM Practitioner certification, the typical learning path is AgilePM Practitioner training which takes 1 day, or 15 hours if studying online. Training can also be combined with the AgilePM Foundation in which case, it takes 4 days, or 35 hours if studying online.Instructor-led
CompTIA Project+
CompTIA offers some of the leading IT qualifications in the world. CompTIA Project+
exam covers every aspect of project management from your ability to plan projects to monitoring and controlling project tasks.
Maintaining your PMI PMPCombined® qualification requires you continuously accumulate Professional Development Units (PDUs), which are one-hour blocks of time that you spend learning, teaching others, or volunteering.
If you want to gain your PMP certificate, a typical learning path is to take 15 Jun - 17 JunPMP training which takes 35 hours of online study.Change Management Foundation course (Online)
Professionals pursuing the Change Management Practitioner certificate – for which the Change Management Foundation certificate is a prerequisite.
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The APM’s own Project Management Chartered Standard (ChPP) examination similarly takes place over 3 days. In the first 2 days you’ll be given coaching by a ChPP professional and get your paperwork in order. On the final day, interviewed a board and will have to provide comprehensive documentation of your work over the past several years.
The board will be looking to see that you’ve not only encountered several setbacks in your project management career, but that you’ve also overcome these challenges with a little ingenuity and out-the-box thinking.
Conclusion
This list of the top project management certifications is by no means complete. There are other project management accreditations out there, these just happen to be the most widely recognized certifications in the UK and EU.15 Jun - 19 Jun
No matter how much experience you have, or what you’re looking for a project management certification, there’s likely a certificate out there.
If you you’d like to gain any of the certifications listed in this article, why not look at some of the Change Management Practitioner (with Foundation) course (Online)project management certification courses