PMI-ACP Certification Guide 2026
Agile Certified Practitioner
The PMI-ACP is the strongest cross-framework Agile certification available: covering Scrum, Kanban, XP, Lean and SAFe rather than a single framework. For experienced PMs working in hybrid environments, it is the most valuable Agile credential you can hold.
The PMI-ACP requires 8 months of Agile project experience, 12 months of general PM experience and 21 hours of Agile education. The exam is 120 questions in 3 hours and costs $435 (PMI member) or $495 (non-member). It covers Scrum, Kanban, XP, Lean and hybrid Agile: making it the most broadly recognised Agile credential for PMs working across multiple frameworks.
PMI-ACP at a Glance: 2026
PMI official requirements
What Is the PMI-ACP Certification?
The PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP) is PMI's primary Agile certification. Unlike CSM, which focuses exclusively on Scrum, or SAFe certifications that focus on a single proprietary framework, the PMI-ACP tests knowledge across multiple Agile frameworks and methodologies, including Scrum, Kanban, Lean, XP (Extreme Programming), and hybrid approaches.
This breadth is its defining strength. The PMI-ACP is particularly valuable for project managers working in hybrid Agile/traditional environments, programme managers coordinating teams using different frameworks, PMs transitioning from traditional PM into Agile roles, and anyone who needs a single Agile credential recognised by non-Agile employers and clients, not just those already inside the Agile community.
It is also the Agile credential that appears most frequently in enterprise job descriptions alongside the PMP, because hiring managers familiar with PMI naturally trust PMI's Agile credential more than they might a Scrum Alliance or Scaled Agile certification they are less familiar with.
PMI-ACP Eligibility: What You Need to Apply
The PMI-ACP has three requirements. All must be met before submitting your application.
PMI-ACP Exam Format and Structure
The PMI-ACP exam is delivered via Pearson VUE: at a test centre or via online proctoring. Like the PMP, questions are primarily scenario-based: you are asked what the best Agile response would be in a given situation, not just what the definition of a term is.
| Detail | Specification |
|---|---|
| Number of questions | 120 questions (some unscored pretest items) |
| Time allowed | 3 hours (180 minutes) |
| Question format | Multiple choice, multiple response, matching, drag-and-drop: scenario-based |
| Passing score | Not disclosed: determined by psychometric analysis |
| Delivery | Pearson VUE test centre or online proctored |
| Retakes | 3 attempts within 1-year eligibility window |
| Language | English |
The 7 PMI-ACP Exam Domains
The PMI-ACP ECO (Exam Content Outline) defines seven domains. Questions are distributed across these domains. You must be competent in all of them, not just Scrum-specific content.
PMI-ACP Exam Cost 2026
The PMI-ACP is priced between the CAPM and PMP. Joining PMI before applying saves $60 on the exam, and membership gives you free access to the Agile Practice Guide (the primary PMI-ACP study reference).
| Cost Item | PMI Member | Non-Member | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| PMI Membership | $139/yr | $0 | Saves $60 on exam + free Agile Practice Guide download ($29 value) |
| PMI-ACP Exam Fee | $435 | $495 | Paid after application approval |
| 21-Hour Agile Course | $49 – $500 | Required for application. PMI-ACP Udemy courses from $49. Satisfies the 21-hr requirement. | |
| Study Books | $0 (free with membership) | $29 – $80 | Agile Practice Guide free with PMI membership. Mike Griffiths' PMI-ACP Exam Prep ~$60. |
| Practice Simulator | $0 – $99 | Free questions at Sikhana Seekho. PM PrepCast ACP edition from $79. | |
| Retake Fee | $345 | $395 | Per attempt. Up to 3 attempts within 1-year window. |
PMI-ACP Study Guide: How to Prepare and Pass
Most candidates prepare in 6–10 weeks of part-time study. The PMI-ACP is scenario-based like the PMP: rote memorisation is not enough. You need to understand how Agile principles apply in complex real-world situations.
Step 1: Download the Agile Practice Guide
Download the PMI Agile Practice Guide from PMI.org (free with membership). This is PMI's official Agile reference and the closest thing to the PMI-ACP's "PMBOK", read it thoroughly. Sections on Agile frameworks, hybrid approaches and tailoring are particularly important for the exam.
Step 2: Complete Your 21-Hour Agile Course
Choose a PMI-ACP-specific prep course, not a general Agile course. Mike Griffiths' PMI-ACP course on Udemy is the most widely recommended. It covers all seven exam domains with scenario-based examples, satisfies the 21-hour requirement and provides an excellent framework for self-study.
Step 3: Study Across All Frameworks
The PMI-ACP tests Scrum, Kanban, XP, Lean and hybrid approaches, not just Scrum. Many candidates who know Scrum well underestimate the XP and Lean content. Ensure you are comfortable with: Kanban's WIP limits, flow metrics and cadences; XP practices (pair programming, TDD, continuous integration, refactoring); and Lean's waste reduction and value stream concepts.
Step 4: Practise Scenario Questions
Complete at least 400 scenario-based practice questions before your exam. PMI-ACP scenarios test Agile mindset, the "Agile purist" answer is almost always favoured over the pragmatic or process-heavy answer. When in doubt, ask: "What would a servant leader do? What prioritises team autonomy and customer collaboration?"
PMI-ACP vs CSM: Which Should You Get?
| Factor | PMI-ACP | CSM |
|---|---|---|
| Issuer | PMI | Scrum Alliance |
| Frameworks covered | Scrum, Kanban, XP, Lean, SAFe, hybrid | Scrum only |
| Experience required | 8 months Agile + 12 months PM | None required |
| Exam | 120 questions, 3 hours, rigorous | 50 questions, easy, usually passes at course end |
| Exam fee (member) | $435 | ~$195 (included in 2-day course ~$995) |
| Validity | 3 years (30 PDUs) | 2 years (20 SEUs) |
| Employer recognition | Strong: recognised by non-Agile employers | Good: most recognised Scrum cert |
| Best for | Experienced PMs, hybrid environments | Developers, team members, Scrum teams |
| Difficulty | Hard: scenario-based | Easy: attendance + quiz |
PMI-ACP vs Other Agile Certifications 2026
| Certification | Issuer | Scope | Difficulty | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PMI-ACP | PMI | Multi-framework | Hard | Experienced PMs, hybrid environments |
| CSM | Scrum Alliance | Scrum only | Easy | Team members, Scrum practitioners |
| PSM I | Scrum.org | Scrum only | Hard (85% pass mark) | Serious Scrum practitioners wanting rigour |
| SAFe Agilist (SA) | Scaled Agile | SAFe framework | Moderate | Enterprise PMs in SAFe organisations |
| PRINCE2 Agile | Axelos/PeopleCert | PRINCE2 + Agile hybrid | Rigorous two-level | UK/European PMs needing governance + Agile |
| ICP-ACC | ICAgile | Agile coaching | Moderate | Agile coaches and change agents |
PMI-ACP Renewal: PDUs and Maintenance
The PMI-ACP is valid for 3 years. To renew, you must earn 30 PDUs and pay the renewal fee. This is half the PMP's 60 PDU requirement, making the PMI-ACP significantly easier to maintain.
Best PMI-ACP Study Resources 2026
| Resource | Type | Cost | Why Use It |
|---|---|---|---|
| PMI Agile Practice Guide | Reference text | Free (PMI member) | Primary exam reference: download free with $139 PMI membership. Read cover to cover. |
| Mike Griffiths PMI-ACP Exam Prep (Udemy) | Video course: 21+ hrs | $19–$49 | Best-in-class PMI-ACP course. Satisfies 21-hr requirement and covers all 7 domains. |
| Mike Griffiths PMI-ACP Exam Prep (book) | Study book | ~$60 | The definitive PMI-ACP prep book: written by a PMI-ACP co-author. Highly recommended. |
| Sikhana Seekho Practice Questions | Free question bank | Free | Scenario-based Agile practice questions with detailed explanations and domain mapping. |
| PM PrepCast (PMI-ACP edition) | Practice simulator | $79–$99 | Most realistic PMI-ACP simulation: 800+ scenario questions across all 7 domains. |
| PMBOK Guide (Agile sections) | Reference text | Free (PMI member) | Supplement to Agile Practice Guide: useful for hybrid Agile/predictive content on the exam. |