How to Get PMI-ACP® Certification?

In a Nutshell

1. PMI-ACP® Certification validates knowledge and skills in Agile principles, practices and methodologies.

2. Candidates must meet PMI's educational, Agile experience, and formal training requirements.

3. The certification process involves application submission, eligibility verification, exam preparation, and scheduling.

4. The PMI-ACP® exam contains 120 questions covering mindset, leadership, product, and delivery domains.

What if your next career milestone isn't a promotion, a new job or another project, but a certification that recognises the Agile skills you've developed? PMI-ACP® Certification could be that milestone, especially if you're looking to demonstrate your knowledge of Agile practices.

If that sounds like your next step, how do you earn it? Is professional experience enough? What does the application involve? And how should you prepare for the exam? This blog answers these questions and takes you through the essential steps to getting PMI-ACP® certification.

Step-by-step Instructions to Get PMI-ACP® Certification

Earning PMI-ACP® certification involves meeting the eligibility requirements, submitting an application and passing the exam. The following steps explain the process and how to prepare.

Step 1: Check the Eligibility Requirements

Before applying, confirm that you hold a secondary school diploma, GED or global equivalent. You must also meet one of the following experience routes:

1) Agile Experience: Two years of agile experience within the past five years.

2) GAC-accredited Degree: A degree from a PMI Global Accreditation Center (GAC) accredited programme and one year of agile experience.

3) Agile Certification Holders: An active agile certification from a certification body other than PMI, earned more than one year ago, plus one year of agile experience.

4) PMP® Certification: An active PMP® Certification satisfies the experience requirement.

Step 2: Complete the Required Agile Training

Complete at least 21 hours of formal training in agile practices, frameworks and methodologies before submitting your application. Choose training aligned with the PMI-ACP Exam Content Outline, covering areas such as agile mindset, team collaboration, leadership and value delivery. Keep your course completion certificate as evidence of your training.

Step 3: Submit Your PMI-ACP Application

Create or sign in to your PMI account and complete the online application. Record your education, qualifying agile experience and formal training accurately. Include details of any certification used to meet the eligibility requirements. If your application is selected for an audit, provide the supporting documents requested by PMI before proceeding.

Step 4: Pay the Exam Fee and Schedule Your Exam

Once your application is approved, pay the exam fee and book your examination. You can choose an available appointment at a Pearson VUE test centre or take an online proctored exam. Select a date that allows sufficient preparation time. If testing online, complete the required system checks and prepare a suitable private space.

Step 5: Prepare for the Exam

Use the current PMI-ACP Exam Content Outline to organise your study around four domains: Mindset, Leadership, Product and Delivery. Build a study schedule, review agile concepts and practise applying them to workplace scenarios. Use practice questions to identify knowledge gaps and timed mock exams to improve your pace. 

Step 6: Take and Pass the Exam

Follow the check-in instructions for your chosen exam format. The PMI-ACP exam contains 120 questions, with three hours to complete them and one 10-minute break. Read each question carefully and apply your agile knowledge to select the most appropriate response. Passing the exam earns you PMI-ACP® Certification.

Tips to Pass the Exam

A structured study plan can help you prepare effectively for the PMI-ACP® exam. Use these tips to strengthen your understanding and approach exam questions confidently:

1) Follow the Exam Content Outline: Use the current outline to guide your revision and check that you have covered each domain.

2) Understand Agile Principles: Focus on why and when to apply agile practices rather than memorising definitions alone.

3) Practise Scenario-Based Questions: Work through situations involving team collaboration, changing priorities and value delivery. Consider which response best reflects agile principles.

4) Review Incorrect Answers: Identify why your answer was incorrect and revisit the underlying concept before attempting similar questions.

5) Take Timed Mock Exams: Practise answering questions under timed conditions to improve your pace and identify areas requiring further study.

6) Read Each Question Carefully: Look for words such as “first”, “next” and “best”. Assess the situation fully before choosing an answer.

7) Plan Your Final Revision: Revisit weaker topics and key concepts, and allow time to rest before exam day.

Gain industry-recognised project management expertise to accelerate your career. Register for PMP® Training now!