Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)® Certification & Training

The difficulty of the PMI-ACP® exam largely depends on your experience with Agile.

Here’s a breakdown:
 

• For those with 3+ years of Agile experience: The exam may feel relatively straightforward, requiring around 50 hours of focused preparation. Your practical experience will significantly aid in understanding the concepts and answering scenario-based questions.
• For those new to Agile or Agile theory: Without prior hands-on experience, preparation can take anywhere between 100 to 150 hours. You’ll need to focus on building a strong foundation in Agile principles, frameworks, and practices.

 
Compared to the PMP® exam, the PMI-ACP® exam is less challenging, often considered to be about 60% of PMP’s complexity level. While it still demands serious preparation and a clear understanding of Agile approaches like Scrum, Kanban, and Lean, the overall scope and depth are more manageable.
 
With the right study plan and resources, earning the PMI-ACP® certification is achievable, even for those new to Agile.
What Are the Current PMI-ACP® Exam Fees for Candidates in India?

• PMI Member Fee: ₹25,010 + GST
• Non-Member Fee: ₹28,454 + GST

What is the Passing Score for the PMI-ACP® Exam?
 
PMI does not disclose an exact passing score for the PMI-ACP® exam. Instead, your performance is evaluated based on proficiency levels across the four domains:
 
1. Mindset (28%)
2. Leadership (25%)
3. Product (19%)
4. Delivery (28%)
 
Your results are categorized as:
 
• Above Target
• Target
• Below Target
• Needs Improvement

To pass, you need to achieve a sufficient overall performance, typically at or above the “Target” level in most domains.
Our Benchmark:
 
Based on our experience with PMI-ACP® aspirants, we have observed that candidates who score 70% or more in our full-length mock tests consistently perform well in the actual exam. This benchmark serves as a reliable indicator of exam readiness and helps you gauge your preparation level effectively.
 
By focusing on Agile principles, frameworks, and practices, and aligning your preparation with mock tests, you can significantly improve your chances of success.

To earn PMI-ACP® certification, follow these steps:
 
1. Enroll with Us: Start by completing the required 28 contact hours through our training program. Learn Agile principles, methodologies, and practices, and access mock tests to ensure you’re ready for the exam.
2. Meet Eligibility: Have a secondary diploma and at least 1–2 years of Agile experience.
3. Apply: Fill and submit your application on the PMI website under our guidance to ensure it meets PMI’s requirements.
4. Schedule the Exam: Once PMI approves your application, choose an online or test center- based exam.
5. Prepare and Take the Exam: Use study resources and mock tests. Scoring 70% or more on practice tests indicates readiness. Complete the 120-question exam within 3 hours.
 
Join us to kickstart your journey and earn your globally recognized PMI-ACP® certification!

To fulfil the contact hour requirement for the PMI-ACP® exam, you need to complete formal Agile training from a recognized provider. Here’s how you can get started:
 
1. Enroll in Our PMI-ACP® Training: Our program offers 28 contact hours with comprehensive coverage of Agile principles, practices, and methodologies.
2. Interactive Learning: Participate in live instructor-led sessions or self-paced modules designed to deepen your Agile knowledge and skills.
3. Hands-on Exercises: Engage in practical exercises, case studies, and discussions to enhance real-world application.
4. End-of-Course Assessment: Complete the training, including quizzes and assignments, to receive a certificate verifying your contact hours.
 
By enrolling with us, you’ll not only meet the requirement but also prepare effectively for the PMI- ACP® exam with mock tests and expert guidance.

1. Enroll in a Comprehensive Training Program: Begin with our PMI-ACP® training program, which provides 28 contact hours that include live classes with experts for interactive learning and real-world application.
2. Use Our Self-Learning Videos: Gain additional flexibility by using our self-paced learning videos, designed to reinforce Agile concepts and frameworks at your convenience. These videos complement the live classes to ensure comprehensive preparation.
3. Understand the Exam Domains: Focus on the four domains—Mindset (28%), Leadership (25%), Product (19%), and Delivery (28%)—as outlined in the PMI-ACP® Exam Content Outline.
4. Study PMI-Authorized Resources: Utilize the Agile Practice Guide and PMI-approved materials to cover essential topics effectively.
5. Practice Mock Tests: Access our mock tests to evaluate your understanding and aim for a consistent 70% or above, a strong indicator of exam readiness.
6. Master Time Management: With 120 questions in 3 hours, practice answering efficiently to manage your time well during the exam.
7. Leverage Agile Experience: Apply your practical knowledge to confidently handle situational and scenario-based questions.
 
Enroll in our program for expert-led live classes, self-learning videos, and tailored mock tests to ensure you’re fully prepared to pass the PMI-ACP® exam on your first attempt!

You don’t need documented Scrum experience to register for PMI-ACP® certification training.
 
However, you must meet PMI’s Agile experience requirements to take the certification exam:
 
1. Agile Experience Requirements:
o If you hold a PMP® certification, no additional Agile experience needs to be
documented.
o Without PMP®, you need 2 years of Agile experience within the last 5 years.
o If you hold a third-party Agile certification (e.g., Scrum Master, SAFe) earned more than 1 year ago, you only need 1 year of Agile experience documented.
2. Training Hours: Complete 28 contact hours of Agile training, which we provide as part of our comprehensive PMI-ACP® preparation program.

Our training ensures you understand key Agile frameworks like Scrum, Kanban, and Lean, preparing you for the PMI-ACP® exam regardless of your prior Agile experience. Join us to get started!

PMI-ACP® certification does not have a specific book like PMBOK® for PMP®, and PMP itself is no longer solely based on PMBOK®. Instead, PMI provides an Exam Content Outline (ECO) for both certifications, which serves as the foundation for the exam content.
 
For PMI-ACP®, PMI has developed its own learning program materials, ensuring 100% alignment with the exam content outline. When you enroll with us, we use PMI’s authorized materials, including a detailed workbook for all four PMI-ACP® domains. This workbook, prepared by PMI, guarantees comprehensive coverage of the exam content, helping you confidently prepare for
success.

Typically, candidates prepare for the PMI-ACP® exam in 6 to 12 weeks, depending on their familiarity with Agile concepts and experience. The total preparation time usually ranges from 50 to 150 hours.
 
• If You Are Experienced in Agile: With solid knowledge of Agile principles and practical experience, you’re likely to need preparation on the lower side of the range (around 50–75 hours).
• If You Are New to Agile: Without prior exposure, you may require 100–150 hours to build foundational knowledge of
Agile frameworks like Scrum, Kanban, and Lean.
 
Enroll with us for structured training, PMI-authorized materials, and mock tests to streamline your preparation and achieve success!

It depends on the number of PDUs and their alignment with PMI-ACP’s requirements:
 
• PMI-ACP requires 28 hours of formal Agile education.
• During the transition period (until March 31, 2025), you can apply with 21 hours of Agile education, provided your application is submitted before this deadline.
• Ensure that your learning aligns with PMI-ACP’s new content domains (Mindset, Leadership, Product, and Delivery).
 
If you have previously earned PDUs that meet these criteria, you can use them. However, PMI recommends completing formal training through PMI Authorized Training Partners for consistency and better preparation.

PMI-ACP is ideal for professionals working in service-oriented industries managing diverse Agile frameworks like Scrum, Kanban, or Lean. It suits Agile leaders such as Delivery Leads, Team Leaders, Agile Coaches, and Project Managers involved in hybrid or multi-framework Agile environments. The certification focuses on mindset, leadership, product, and delivery, making it perfect for roles requiring versatility and leadership skills.
 
It is less suitable for those in pure Scrum-specific roles like Scrum Masters or Product Owners. For such roles, certifications like CSM or CSPO are more focused and relevant.

PMI-ACP and PMP cater to different needs. PMP is broader, covering predictive, adaptive, and hybrid methodologies, making it ideal for project leaders managing diverse project types. In contrast, PMI-ACP offers deeper insights into Agile frameworks like Scrum, Kanban, and Lean, emphasizing leadership, mindset, product, and delivery.

PMI-ACP is perfect for professionals focusing on Agile practices and leadership roles, while PMP provides general project management expertise. For Agile-focused practitioners, PMI-ACP complements PMP by offering greater depth. PMP is more popular and widely recognized, but PMI- ACP is better suited for Agile-specific environments and roles.

PMI-ACP and CSM/PSM cater to different Agile needs.
 
• CSM/PSM: Focus exclusively on Scrum, making them ideal for Scrum Masters or professionals working in strict Scrum environments.
• PMI-ACP: Covers multiple Agile frameworks like Scrum, Kanban, and Lean, with additional focus on leadership, mindset, product, and delivery, making it suitable for Agile leaders, team leads, and those working in hybrid frameworks.
 
If your role involves diverse Agile practices or leadership, PMI-ACP offers broader expertise. For roles centered only on Scrum, CSM/PSM is a more focused and quicker certification option.

The updated PMI-ACP (Nov 2024) certification retains around 70% of the original content while introducing new areas of focus to align with evolving Agile practices. Key additions include:
 
• Mindset: A deeper emphasis on Agile principles, complex adaptive systems, and tools like the Cynefin Framework.
• Leadership: New focus on coaching, mentoring, fostering psychological safety, and
promoting emotional intelligence for Agile leaders.
• Product and Delivery: Enhanced clarity on backlog refinement, metrics, and continuous
value delivery.

 
While core topics like Agile frameworks (Scrum, Kanban) remain, the revamped certification now prioritizes leadership, collaboration, and strategic decision-making to meet modern Agile demands

Yes, PMP-certified professionals can bypass the Agile experience requirement for PMI-ACP applications. However, they still need to complete the required 28 hours of Agile education (or 21 hours during the transition period).

• PMI-ACP: Focuses on Agile fundamentals, leadership, and cross-framework applicability. It’s ideal for building a strong foundation in Agile practices and versatile roles.
• SAFe Certification: Tailored specifically for Scaling Agile using the Scaled Agile Framework. SAFe offers role-based certifications (e.g., Scrum Master, Product Owner) and a general certification (Leading SAFe) for organizational agility.

 
If your organization practices SAFe, pursue SAFe certifications. However, a solid understanding of Scrum, Kanban, and Lean, covered extensively in PMI-ACP, is essential for mastering SAFe. Starting with PMI-ACP can provide a strong foundation for learning and applying SAFe principles effectively

Yes, PMI-ACP includes key leadership and coaching elements, making it an excellent starting point. for transitioning into Agile coaching roles. It provides a strong foundation in Agile principles, frameworks, and delivery practices, essential for coaching.

However, for deeper coaching and leadership skills, consider pursuing ICP-ACC (Agile Coaching Certification) after PMI-ACP.
 
• PMI-ACP: Develops Agile competencies like frameworks, mindset, and delivery practices.
• ICP-ACC: Focuses heavily on coaching and leadership competencies, such as mentoring, facilitation, and emotional intelligence.

 
Combining PMI-ACP and ICP-ACC ensures a comprehensive skillset for Agile coaching success.

While CSM and CSPO are useful for Scrum-specific roles, they are not validation-based certifications. The exams are relatively basic and can be taken from home without a proctor, which may not inspire strong trust in your Agile expertise.
 
On the other hand, PMI-ACP is a proctored certification with a rigorous exam structure that ensures certified individuals have a solid understanding of Agile concepts across multiple frameworks.
 
If your role involves leadership, delivery, or product management responsibilities beyond Scrum, or if you want to enhance your credibility in Agile knowledge, pursuing PMI-ACP after CSM or CSPO is a great way to expand your expertise and build trust. The focus of PMI-ACP is broader and ensures you are well-prepared for versatile Agile roles.

To be eligible for PMI-ACP certification, you must meet the following requirements:

1. Educational Background:
o A secondary diploma (high school diploma, associate’s degree, or global equivalent).
2. Agile Experience:
o 2 years of Agile experience in the past 5 years.
o Alternatively, 1 year of Agile experience if you hold an active third-party Agile certification (e.g., CSM, SAFe) earned more than one year ago or a degree from a PMI Global Accreditation Center (GAC) program.
o PMP-certified professionals are exempt from documenting Agile experience.
3. Formal Agile Training:
o 28 hours of Agile training from a quality source, covering Agile concepts like mindset, leadership, product, and delivery.
o During the transition period (until March 31, 2025), applications with 21 training hours will also be accepted.

 
The application process is conducted entirely through PMI’s official website, where you’ll need to input your education, Agile experience, and training details. In case your application is selected for audit, you may be required to provide supporting documents such as proof of training completion or experience validation. This ensures the integrity of the certification process while maintaining a smooth application experience for candidates.