T-Mobile$184k median pay
15 postings
View jobs ↗ at T-Mobile matching PMI-ACP
PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)
Validates knowledge of agile mindset, leadership, product and delivery practices across Scrum, Kanban, Lean and hybrid approaches.
Summary
PMI-ACP is PMI's agile certification for people who already work on agile teams. Rather than testing one framework, its 120-question exam tests judgment across Scrum, Kanban, Lean, XP and hybrid delivery.
Good fit if
- You have agile experience and want to span several frameworks
- You hold an active PMP, which meets the experience requirement
- Your organization uses PMI credentials for agile leads
Look elsewhere if
- You are new to agile or work only in Scrum: PSM I or CSM
- Your organization runs SAFe: SAFe Agilist
Salary & jobs
597 US job postings ask for PMI-ACP, with Project Manager as the most common job title. The median pay is $144k a year; most fall between $120k and $171k.
Top-paying job titles
Most common job titles
| Job title | ||
|---|---|---|
| Program Manager | $146k | 15 |
| Technical Project Manager | $140k | 28 |
| Technical Program Manager | $132k | 8 |
| IT Project Manager | $128k | 24 |
| Project Manager | $128k | 46 |
| Scrum Master | $122k | 24 |
Top-paying employers
T-Mobile
Microsoft$148k median pay
9 postings
View jobs ↗ at Microsoft matching PMI-ACP
Peraton$146k median pay
20 postings
View jobs ↗ at Peraton matching PMI-ACP
Booz Allen$142k median pay
11 postings
View jobs ↗ at Booz Allen matching PMI-ACP
CACI$131k median pay
8 postings
View jobs ↗ at CACI matching PMI-ACP| Job title | ||
|---|---|---|
| Project Manager | $128k | 46 |
| Technical Project Manager | $140k | 28 |
| IT Project Manager | $128k | 24 |
| Scrum Master | $122k | 24 |
| Program Manager | $146k | 15 |
| Technical Program Manager | $132k | 8 |
| Command Control Scrum Master | - | 6 |
| Agile Release Train Engineer | - | 4 |
| Product Manager | - | 3 |
| Product Owner | - | 3 |
| Release Manager | - | 3 |
| Software Engineer II | - | 3 |
| Technology Innovation Program Manager | - | 3 |
| Agile Project Manager | - | 2 |
| Agilist | - | 2 |
Top employers
Peraton20 postings
$146k median pay
Most common title: Scrum Master Advisor
View jobs ↗ at Peraton matching PMI-ACPT-Mobile15 postings
$184k median pay
Most common title: Manager Product Engineering
View jobs ↗ at T-Mobile matching PMI-ACPBooz Allen11 postings
$142k median pay
Most common title: Systems Integration Engineer
View jobs ↗ at Booz Allen matching PMI-ACP
RTX10 postings
Most common title: Command Control Scrum Master
View jobs ↗ at RTX matching PMI-ACP
Mayo Clinic9 postings
Most common title: Project Manager Florida Innovation
View jobs ↗ at Mayo Clinic matching PMI-ACPMicrosoft9 postings
$148k median pay
Most common title: Consulting Project Manager Ctj Poly
View jobs ↗ at Microsoft matching PMI-ACPCACI8 postings
$131k median pay
Most common title: End User Support Technician
View jobs ↗ at CACI matching PMI-ACP
DecisionPoint Corporation8 postings
Most common title: Cms Operations
View jobs ↗ at DecisionPoint Corporation matching PMI-ACPPrerequisites
Cost
What holders say
The payoff shows up in how you talk about work, not a fast raise
One holder says the view across Scrum, Kanban and Lean helped them discuss decisions with stakeholders, building over time. It created no opportunities where the job had no agile exposure.
Best as a low-cost add-on once you already hold a PMP
Holders with a PMP call it an easy, cheap addition since PDUs overlap. Veteran PMs with years of agile experience say they learned little new and gained minimal value.
Some rate it below certifications that require observed practice
Some argue credentials earned mainly through classroom time and a multiple-choice exam carry less weight than ones requiring demonstrated practice hours. Under that view, PMI-ACP signals study effort rather than skill.
Renewal
PMI-ACP is valid for 3 years.
- Validity
- 3 years
- Renewal requirement
- 30 PDUs per cycle
- Renewal fee
- $150 USD $60 for PMI members
PDUs are professional development units: one hour of learning, teaching, volunteering or similar work earns one PDU. PDUs on agile topics can count toward PMP and PMI-ACP at the same time.
PMI certification renewal ↗Alternatives
PSM I$200 required · Entry
A Scrum-only test with no experience or training requirement and no expiry.
CSM$399 required · Entry
A two-day Scrum course with a short exam, for people new to Scrum teams.
PMP$695 required · Advanced
PMI’s broad project management credential, covering predictive and hybrid work as well as agile.
SA$495 required · Entry
For organizations scaling agile with SAFe.
FAQ
What experience do I need for PMI-ACP?
Two years of agile experience in the past five years. One year is enough if you also have a degree from a GAC-accredited program or an agile certification held for at least a year. An active PMP meets the requirement on its own.
Do I need a PMP first?
No. An active PMP is one way to meet the experience requirement, so many people take PMI-ACP after PMP.
How is PMI-ACP different from CSM or PSM I?
CSM and PSM I cover Scrum only and need no experience. PMI-ACP covers several agile approaches and requires agile experience and 21 hours of training.
How hard is the PMI-ACP exam?
Candidates describe long scenario questions and exhibits, such as a burndown chart followed by several questions. Experienced practitioners say the hardest part is answering the way PMI’s guidance describes agile rather than how their own team works.
How much does PMI-ACP cost?
The exam is $495, or $435 for PMI members. Add the cost of a 21-hour course if you do not already have the training.
Last updated October 2026