PMI ACP Certification: Become an Agile Certified Practitioner

Thinking about becoming a PMI Agile Certified Practitioner? This guide explains who is eligible, how the application works, what the current exam covers, what it costs and how to prepare.

Introduction

Organizations around the world use agile approaches to respond faster to change, collaborate better and deliver value to customers sooner. The PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP), awarded by the Project Management Institute (PMI), is a way to show that you can apply those approaches in practice. PMI describes the exam as experience-based and ISO-accredited, and since November 2024 it has followed a new exam content outline. In this guide we cover why the PMI-ACP matters, the current eligibility rules, the application process, the exam format, the cost and how to prepare.

Why the PMI-ACP Certification Matters

Agile is no longer limited to software teams. It is a mainstream way of running projects and developing products, and the PMI-ACP shows that you understand its principles and practices across several approaches rather than a single framework.

1. Career Opportunities: Agile is used in IT, finance, healthcare, marketing, manufacturing and many other fields, so the skills behind the PMI-ACP travel well. According to PMI, 86% of PMI-ACP holders qualified for new opportunities and 84% gained recognition for career advancement.
2. Broad Agile Knowledge: The exam draws on Scrum, Kanban, Lean, SAFe and other approaches, which helps you choose the right practices for each situation.
3. Stronger Project and Product Delivery: Preparing for the exam builds skills in leading teams, engaging stakeholders, prioritizing by value and improving continuously.
4. Global Recognition: PMI certifications are recognized worldwide, and the PMI-ACP exam is offered in ten languages, at test centers and online.

What is Agile?

Agile is a family of project management and product development approaches that prioritize collaboration, customer feedback and iterative progress. Instead of fixing every detail up front, agile teams deliver in small increments, learn from feedback and adapt to changing requirements, so the final product meets real customer needs.

PMI-ACP Eligibility Requirements

PMI rewrote the eligibility rules for the new exam, and the old requirement for general project management hours no longer applies. To apply, you need:

• Education: a secondary diploma (high school diploma, GED or global equivalent) or higher.
• Agile training: 21 hours of formal training in agile practices, frameworks and methodologies, completed before you apply, with proof of completion.
• Agile experience: one of the following:
  • 2 years of agile experience within the last 5 years
  • 1 year of agile experience plus a degree from a PMI GAC-accredited program
  • 1 year of agile experience plus an active agile certification (for example Scrum or SAFe) held for more than 1 year
  • an active PMP certification

The Application Process

1. Apply online: Submit your application on the PMI website with your education, training and agile experience details.
2. Audit, if selected: Any application can be audited, and a percentage are chosen at random. If yours is selected, you have 90 days to send supporting documents such as your diploma, supervisor signatures and training certificates. Once the documents are complete, an audit takes about 5 to 7 business days.
3. Pay the exam fee: You pay only after your application has been accepted. There is no separate application fee.
4. Schedule your exam: Book through Pearson VUE, either at a test center or online with OnVUE. Online candidates must pass a system check and identity verification.
5. Pass within your eligibility period: You have one year from approval and up to three attempts. If you do not pass after three attempts, you must wait one year before reapplying for the PMI-ACP.

PMI-ACP Exam Overview

• Questions: 120 items, of which 100 are scored and 20 are unscored pretest items placed at random.
• Item types: multiple choice, multiple response, drag-and-drop and exhibit-based questions.
• Time: 180 minutes, with one 10-minute break after you complete and review items 1 to 60. After the break you cannot return to those items.
• Domains: Mindset 28%, Leadership 25%, Product 19% and Delivery 28%.
• Scoring: PMI does not publish a passing score. The pass standard is set through psychometric analysis, and your score report shows pass or fail with feedback for each domain.
• Languages: English, Arabic, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, French, German, Brazilian Portuguese, Japanese, Korean and Spanish.

Our PMI-ACP course page summarizes these exam facts in one table.

PMI-ACP Certification Cost

The cost depends mainly on your PMI membership status and, in some countries, on regional pricing. These are the USD fees in PMI's store, checked in October 2026. Fees can change, so confirm the price for your country on the official PMI website before you pay.

• Exam fee: USD 435 for PMI members, USD 495 for non-members.
• Retake fee: USD 335 for members, USD 395 for non-members, for the second and third attempts.
• Renewal fee: USD 60 for members, USD 150 for non-members, every three years.
• PMI membership: an annual fee that varies by country and membership type. Membership saves USD 60 on the exam, and member rates apply only if you joined before paying.
• Exam delivery: you can test at a Pearson VUE test center or online. Paper-based testing is offered only in Mainland China.

For a full breakdown, read our guide to PMI-ACP certification cost and benefits.

Study Materials

Beyond the exam fee, budget for the required 21 hours of training and for study resources. PMI recommends its Authorized PMI-ACP Exam Prep, the PMI-ACP Practice Exam, PMI Study Hall and the Agile Practice Guide, which is free for PMI members. Whatever you choose, make sure it is written for the exam launched in November 2024, not the older seven-domain version.

BlueMorpho Learning Solutions also offers PMI-ACP training to support your preparation.

Tips to Ensure Success in Your ACP Certification Journey

• Set Clear Goals: Define your career objectives and how the PMI-ACP supports them. A clear goal will keep you motivated.
• Create a Study Plan: Build a timeline that covers all four domains, your study materials and regular practice tests. Consistent study habits are key.
• Join Agile Communities: Take part in forums and meetups, and talk to professionals who already hold the PMI-ACP.
• Practice Agile Principles: Apply agile practices in your current work. The exam is experience-based, so real practice reinforces what you study.
• Take Mock Exams: Practice with all four item types and the full 180-minute timing, then focus on the areas where you score lowest.

Keeping Your PMI-ACP Active

The PMI-ACP runs on a three-year cycle that starts on the day you pass. To renew, you earn 30 professional development units (PDUs) per cycle: at least 18 Education PDUs, no more than 12 Giving Back PDUs, and at least 4 PDUs in each area of PMI's Talent Triangle (Ways of Working, Power Skills and Business Acumen). You report your PDUs online and then pay the renewal fee. If you do not meet the requirements, the certification is suspended for one year and then expires.

PMI ACP in Various Industries

The PMI-ACP is a versatile credential. Agile practices are used well beyond technology, and certified practitioners work in many sectors.

Information Technology: In software development and infrastructure management, PMI-ACP holders help teams collaborate, streamline workflows and release working solutions in small, frequent increments.

Healthcare: Agile methods help healthcare teams respond to changing needs and improve processes step by step, for example when introducing new systems or services.

Marketing and Advertising: Marketing teams use short cycles, quick feedback and visual boards to plan, test and adjust campaigns.

Manufacturing: Lean and agile thinking support process improvement and product development, helping teams reduce waste and try new ideas faster.

In each of these industries, the PMI-ACP helps professionals lead and adapt to the changing demands of their field.

Conclusion

The PMI-ACP is a valuable credential for anyone who works in or leads agile teams. Check your eligibility against the current rules, choose training that follows the new exam outline, follow a structured study plan and practice with realistic questions. Start your journey today by exploring our PMI ACP certification training.

BlueMorpho Learning Solutions is a training and enrollment partner: we help you prepare for the exam, while PMI reviews your application, runs the exam and awards the certification. Contact us to discuss your PMI-ACP preparation.