A side-by-side comparison of 36 professional certifications across Project Management, Cloud & Platform, Networking, Cybersecurity, Data & AI, Finance & Accounting, IT Service Management, Software Development. Compare verified vendor examination formats, passing rules, renewal requirements, and domain outlines.
| Attribute | PMP Project Management Institute (PMI) | PMI-ACP Project Management Institute (PMI) | PRINCE2 Practitioner PeopleCert | PMI-RMP Project Management Institute (PMI) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full Title | Project Management Professional (PMP) | Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP) | PRINCE2 Project Management (Practitioner Level) | Risk Management Professional (PMI-RMP) |
| Issuing Body | Project Management Institute (PMI) | Project Management Institute (PMI) | PeopleCert | Project Management Institute (PMI) |
| Credential Tier | Professional | Professional | Professional | Professional |
| Domain Area | Project Management | Project Management | Project Management | Project Management |
| Exam Format | A proctored multiple-choice examination covering the three PMP domains, with a mix of predictive, agile and hybrid scenarios. The current exam uses item types that include Extended Matching and an agile-practice section, so scenario reading is the skill being tested. | A proctored multiple-choice exam with agile delivery scenarios across the agile mindset, delivery, and tools and practices domains, including agile and hybrid approaches. | A proctored objective-format examination with multiple-choice and multi-response questions across the seven PRINCE2 themes, plus an open-book style component that assesses how you would apply the method to a described scenario. | A proctored examination of four knowledge areas plus a competency assessment of your own documented project risk experience, reviewed by practitioners. |
| Penalty Rule | Set by the issuer — most vendor exams apply none | Set by the issuer — most vendor exams apply none | Set by the issuer — most vendor exams apply none | Set by the issuer — most vendor exams apply none |
| Validity Period | The credential is renewed on a PMI-set cycle through ongoing professional development rather than by re-sitting the exam, with maintenance requirements and an earn-PD count that PMI publishes. | Renewal runs through PMI's continuing-education model on a three-year cycle, with a specified number of training or education points to maintain the credential. | The credential is valid for a fixed period set by PeopleCert and renewed by re-taking the exam; the current renewal cycle is published on the PeopleCert site. | Maintenance runs on PMI's professional-development cycle for the credential, with renewal based on earning the required development activity. |
| Prerequisites | PMI sets the eligibility rules and they depend on your degree and/or project experience, with experience counted in a defined way. Check PMI's current certification requirements for the criteria that apply to your application. | PMI requires demonstrated agile experience in addition to a training requirement. The experience, activity and duration conditions are set by PMI and should be read on PMI's current requirements page. | PeopleCert sets pre-requirements for each level. Foundation has its own entry condition and Practitioner assumes Foundation or equivalent; read the current PeopleCert pre-requirements before booking. | PMI requires project risk management experience plus a training requirement, with minimum project durations and counts defined by PMI. Check PMI's current requirements for your application. |
| Official Domains | 3 domains (People — team leadership, stakeholder engagement and conflict, Process — scope, schedule, cost, quality, risk and procurement...) | 3 domains (Mindset — agile principles, servant leadership and value delivery, Delivery — iterative delivery, backlog management and continuous improvement...) | 7 domains (Business case, Organisational topics...) | 4 domains (Risk strategy and scoping, Risk identification and analysis...) |
| Actions | View Blueprint → | View Blueprint → | View Blueprint → | View Blueprint → |
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