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PMI Agile Certified Practitioner Quick Facts
The PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP) certification helps professionals demonstrate deep, adaptable understanding of agile principles across diverse frameworks and teams. This overview provides exactly what you need to feel confident about the exam’s structure, domains, and practical focus areas as you prepare to advance your agile expertise.
What makes the PMI Agile Certified Practitioner Certification a powerful step for agile leaders?
The PMI-ACP certification validates your ability to apply agile principles, practices, tools, and techniques to real-world project settings. It reflects practical experience across multiple agile approaches such as Scrum, Kanban, Lean, XP, and hybrid models. This certification is ideal for leaders, team members, and project professionals looking to strengthen collaboration, deliver value iteratively, and adapt gracefully to change while keeping organizational vision at the forefront. Earning the PMI-ACP shows your capability to lead teams with agility, promote continuous improvement, and cultivate a thriving environment that embraces learning and results.
Who Should Consider Earning the PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)®?
The PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)® is the perfect certification for professionals who want to showcase their agile expertise and collaborative leadership across industries. It’s designed for those who apply agile methods in team environments, whether managing projects or developing products.
It’s ideal for:
- Scrum Masters, Product Owners, and Agile Coaches
- Project Managers working on hybrid or agile initiatives
- Developers, Team Leads, and Functional Managers using agile frameworks
- Professionals with a passion for adaptive planning and continuous improvement
This credential demonstrates not only what you know about agile, but how you apply it to real-world team dynamics and value delivery.
What Types of Roles Benefit Most from the PMI-ACP Certification?
The PMI-ACP certification opens doors to roles that value flexibility, collaborative leadership, and efficiency. It aligns with both traditional project management careers and fluid, agile environments.
Common roles include:
- Agile Project Manager / Delivery Manager
- Scrum Master or Kanban Lead
- Product Owner or Product Manager
- Agile Coach or Transformation Lead
- Software Development Team Lead
It’s also highly valued by employers seeking professionals capable of driving organizational agility and delivering business value across dynamic projects.
What Is the Code or Name of the Exam?
The exam for this certification is officially titled PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)® and often referred to simply as PMI-ACP. When registering with PMI or Pearson VUE, you’ll find the exam listed as PMI-ACP under the PMI certification family.
Although it doesn’t currently have a numeric exam code, this globally recognized certification is continuously updated by PMI to reflect modern agile best practices and methodologies.
How Much Does the PMI-ACP Exam Cost?
The cost to take the PMI-ACP exam depends on your PMI membership status:
- PMI Members: $435 USD
- Non-Members: $495 USD
PMI membership offers additional benefits like discounts on exam preparation resources, exclusive study materials, and access to the PMI community of agile professionals.
How Many Questions Are on the Exam?
The PMI-ACP exam features 120 multiple-choice questions in total. Out of these, 100 questions are scored and 20 are unscored pretest items used for future test calibration.
These questions assess your practical understanding of agile principles, frameworks, and real-world application scenarios. Expect both single-choice and multi-select question types designed to test applied knowledge rather than rote learning.
How Long Is the PMI-ACP Certification Exam?
You’ll have 180 minutes (3 hours) to complete the exam. The test also includes one 10-minute break, which occurs midway through the assessment after question 60.
It’s important to maintain a steady pace and allocate time for thoughtful review. Many find that managing time per question and taking a deep breath between sections helps maintain clarity and focus.
What Format Does the PMI-ACP Exam Use?
The PMI-ACP exam format includes diverse question types such as:
- Traditional multiple-choice questions
- Multiple-response (more than one correct answer)
- Scenario-based items that explore problem-solving and agile thinking
- Drag-and-drop questions to test applied understanding
These formats ensure the exam measures agile proficiency, adaptability, and decision-making skills in realistic contexts.
In What Languages Can You Take the PMI-ACP Exam?
The PMI-ACP exam is available in multiple languages to make it accessible worldwide. These include:
- English
- Arabic
- Brazilian Portuguese
- Chinese (Simplified and Traditional)
- French, German, Japanese, Korean, and Spanish
You can take the exam online or in person through Pearson VUE, ensuring global accessibility for all agile practitioners.
What Score Do You Need to Pass the PMI-ACP Exam?
While PMI does not publicly disclose its detailed scoring model, research and verified sources suggest a recommended passing score around 75%.
The exam uses a proficiency-level system to measure knowledge and skill across domains. Your total scaled score determines whether you pass, reflecting your ability to apply agile principles effectively.
What Are the Core Domains Covered on the PMI-ACP Exam?
The PMI-ACP exam blueprint is built around four core domains that define agile success. Each area represents key aspects of agile thinking, collaboration, and delivery:
- Mindset (28%) – Applying agile values, fostering innovation, and embracing change
- Leadership (25%) – Empowering teams, promoting trust, and leading with empathy
- Product (19%) – Refining backlogs, managing value delivery, and maximizing customer value
- Delivery (28%) – Iterative delivery, managing risks, metrics, and continuous improvement
Each domain includes structured tasks that evaluate your ability to think and act like an agile practitioner.
How Difficult Is the PMI-ACP Exam?
The PMI-ACP exam is designed for professionals with experience applying agile methods. Though it’s rigorous, most well-prepared candidates find it very achievable.
Success depends on understanding how to apply agile principles—not on memorization. Reviewing real-world cases, completing sample questions, and practicing with realistic PMI-ACP practice tests will help you build familiarity with exam-style scenarios.
Are There Any Prerequisites for the PMI-ACP Exam?
Yes, PMI has specific eligibility requirements to ensure candidates have relevant agile exposure. You’ll need:
- Education: A secondary degree (high school diploma or equivalent)
- Agile Experience:
- 2 years of agile experience in the past 5 years, OR
- 1 year of agile experience plus a recognized agile credential, GAC-accredited degree, or PMP® certification
- Training: 28 hours of formal agile training (through PMI, an Authorized Training Partner, or a third-party course)
This ensures every PMI-ACP holder has both practical and academic grounding in agile methodologies.
What Topics and Skills Should You Study for the PMI-ACP Exam?
Your study plan should cover both agile theory and practice. Key focus areas include:
- Agile Mindset – Values, principles, and adaptive thinking
- Frameworks – Scrum, Kanban, Lean, and hybrid approaches
- Leadership Skills – Coaching, mentoring, empowering teams
- Value Delivery and Metrics – Backlogs, prioritization, measuring outcomes
- Continuous Improvement – Inspect-and-adapt cycles, retrospectives, and innovation
Hands-on experience applying these techniques helps bridge the gap between conceptual learning and practical mastery.
How Can You Prepare Successfully for the PMI-ACP Certification?
PMI offers several official and partner resources, and combining them with structured personal study is key. Recommended strategies include:
- Enroll in PMI-ACP exam prep courses through PMI or an authorized training partner.
- Use digital learning platforms such as PMI Study Hall® for interactive lessons.
- Practice agile applications daily in your projects to reinforce learning.
- Review the Agile Practice Guide, a critical PMI resource.
- Take practice exams regularly to simulate real test conditions.
Consistency, curiosity, and experiential learning are your strongest allies.
Where and How Can You Take the PMI-ACP Exam?
You can take the PMI-ACP either:
- Online – Proctored via Pearson VUE’s OnVUE system, convenient for remote candidates
- In-Person – At a Pearson VUE testing center, recommended for added test security and focus
Make sure to complete a system test (for online exams), show valid photo identification, and ensure a quiet, private environment before beginning.
How Long Is the PMI-ACP Certification Valid?
The PMI-ACP certification remains valid for 3 years. To maintain your credential, you’ll need to earn 30 Professional Development Units (PDUs) during each 3-year cycle.
PDUs can be earned through learning, teaching, volunteering, creating content, or leading agile initiatives. This continuous growth ensures you stay sharp and aligned with current agile practices throughout your career.
What Kind of Career Advancement Can You Expect with a PMI-ACP?
The PMI-ACP credential is highly regarded across industries worldwide. Holders frequently experience:
- New job opportunities across agile and hybrid organizations
- Increased recognition for project and team leadership
- Higher earning potential and credibility within global PMI communities
This certification signals to employers that you are proven in applying multiple agile frameworks and driving meaningful outcomes.
What Study Materials Are Most Valuable?
In addition to official PMI resources, top study aids include:
- PMI Study Hall® – A gamified, digital prep platform
- PMI-ACP Practice Exam – Official mock exam to test readiness
- Agile Practice Guide – Essential reading from PMI
- Instructor-led courses – For structure, accountability, and interaction
Combining hands-on experience with structured learning reinforces your ability to adapt agile principles in any context.
What Happens If You Don’t Pass on the First Attempt?
PMI allows up to three attempts within a one-year eligibility period to pass the PMI-ACP exam. If needed, you can reapply after one year.
Each retake opportunity refines your understanding of the material, and with focused study, most candidates pass in subsequent attempts.
How Is the PMI-ACP Exam Scored and Delivered?
The PMI-ACP exam uses a computer-based testing format, scored electronically through Pearson VUE.
Your overall performance is evaluated across the four domains — Mindset, Leadership, Product, and Delivery — providing valuable insight into strengths and areas for growth. Scoring reports are available immediately after the exam so you can celebrate your success right away.
What Makes the PMI-ACP Certification Globally Recognized?
The PMI-ACP is ISO-accredited and developed by agile professionals, for agile professionals. It’s recognized globally by organizations seeking practitioners who demonstrate measurable agile proficiency.
With its focus on real-world experience and multi-framework knowledge, it denotes a mastery that goes beyond a single methodology, positioning you as a versatile and certified agile leader.
Where Can You Learn More or Register for the PMI-ACP?
To apply, review your eligibility, or explore upcoming training opportunities, visit the official PMI Agile Certified Practitioner certification page.
This page provides direct access to the official application, study materials, and PMI membership details. With focus, preparation, and persistence, your agile career can accelerate faster than ever with the PMI-ACP certification.
