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PMI Certifications: Which One Fits Your Career Stage?
Read time - 5 minutes
Vanderson Baril
December 27, 2025
The certifications offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI) are designed to support professionals at different levels of responsibility — from entry-level project roles to enterprise portfolio leadership.
This isn’t about climbing a ladder for prestige.
It’s a progression that reflects how much responsibility you already carry.
Table of Contents
How my thinking changed
My interest in the PMP goes back to November 2016, when I started a Diploma in Business Project Management in Auckland, New Zealand. Some colleagues were already talking about the PMP back then. It sounded important — but distant.
I completed the diploma in November 2017, and the idea stayed on my wish list for years.
What brought it back wasn’t ambition.
It was a responsibility.
In my current role, my manager asked me about the PMP. By that point, my work had evolved. I was responsible for how they were delivered, how decisions were made, and how outcomes were achieved.
That’s when the PMP became relevant.
CAPM® — Certified Associate in Project Management
Who it’s for
CAPM is well-suited if you’re early in your career or transitioning into project work. It helps you build fluency in how projects are structured and discussed — before you’re expected to own delivery outcomes.
Eligibility requirements
Secondary degree (high school diploma, GED (general educational development), or global equivalent)
At least 23 hours of project management education before the exam
(via PMI On-Demand CAPM® Exam Prep or an Instructor-Led CAPM® course)
Why it matters
Ranked #1 among “The 9 Most In-Demand Professional Certifications” (Entrepreneur Media, Inc.)
1.7M+ PMI certification holders worldwide
US$70,000 average CAPM salary in the US (Source: Forbes)
PMP® — Project Management Professional
Who it’s for
PMP is for professionals who lead projects end-to-end and take responsibility for delivery decisions — across predictive, hybrid, and agile environments.
Eligibility Requirements (one set required)
Set A: Secondary diploma + 60 months leading projects + 35 hours PM education
Set B: Bachelor’s degree + 36 months leading projects + 35 hours PM education
Set C: GAC-accredited bachelor’s degree + 24 months leading projects + 35 hours PM education
Why it matters
17% higher median salaries compared to non-PMP peers
1.6M+ PMP holders worldwide
My status
I have earned the PMP certification because it aligned with the level of accountability I already had.
PgMP® — Program Management Professional
Who it’s for
PgMP is for professionals managing multiple related projects, where success depends on coordination, dependencies, and strategic outcomes — not just individual schedules.
Eligibility Requirements (one set required)
Set A: Secondary diploma + 48 months PM experience (or PMP®) + 84 months program management
Set B: Bachelor’s degree + 48 months PM experience (or PMP®) + 48 months program management
Set C: GAC-accredited bachelor’s degree + 36 months PM experience (or PMP®) + 36 months program management
Why it matters
71% of projects meet business goals when delivered as programs
42% higher earnings for PgMP-certified professionals
My status
I’m planning to complete the PgMP, and my application is already approved.
PfMP® — Portfolio Management Professional
Who it’s for
PfMP is for senior leaders responsible for deciding which initiatives get funded, prioritised, or stopped — ensuring the organisation is doing the right work.
Eligibility Requirements (one set required)
Set A: Secondary diploma + 96 months professional experience + 84 months portfolio management
Set B: Bachelor’s degree + 96 months professional experience + 48 months portfolio management
Set C: GAC-accredited bachelor’s degree + 96 months professional experience + 36 months portfolio management
How to decide: a practical self-check
Question to ask yourself | CAPM® | PMP® | PgMP® | PfMP® |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Am I early in my project career or transitioning into PM? | ✅ | – | – | – |
Do I lead projects end-to-end and own delivery decisions? | – | ✅ | – | – |
Do I manage multiple related projects with shared outcomes? | – | – | ✅ | – |
Do I decide which initiatives get funded or prioritised? | – | – | – | ✅ |
Is my focus on learning PM fundamentals? | ✅ | – | – | – |
Is my focus on delivering leadership? | – | ✅ | – | – |
Is my focus on benefits realisation and strategic alignment? | – | – | ✅ | – |
Is my focus on investment and governance? | – | – | – | ✅ |
Would I realistically meet the eligibility requirements today? | Yes | Likely | Unlikely | Rare |
Closing thought
The real question isn’t which certification sounds better.
Ask yourself:
What decisions am I already making today?
What level of accountability do I actually carry?
Where do I want my role to evolve next?
And would I realistically meet the eligibility requirements today?
PMI certifications don’t create seniority.
They formalise the level you’re already operating at.
P.S. If you’re thinking through your next step in project, program, or portfolio leadership, let’s connect on LinkedIn if we haven’t already.
This is the last The Saturday Mindset newsletter of 2025. Thank you for reading, reflecting, and engaging throughout the year — I genuinely appreciate it.
See you next Saturday as we kick off 2026 with fresh perspectives and practical insights.