PMI-ACP
PMI's agile certification covering Scrum, Kanban, Lean, XP, and SAFe — ideal for PMs transitioning to agile delivery.
Full guide →AWS AI Practitioner
Entry-level AWS certification validating foundational knowledge of AI, ML, and generative AI concepts on AWS.
Full guide →PMI-ACP vs AWS AI Practitioner
Which certification is right for your career?
Full comparison
| Category | PMI-ACP | AWS AI Practitioner |
|---|---|---|
| Exam cost | $495 USD | ✓$100 USD |
| Avg salary uplift | ✓+$15,000/yr | +$8,000/yr |
| Passing score | 70/1000 | 700/1000 |
| Exam duration | 180 min | 90 min |
| Renewal period | Every 3 years | Every 3 years |
| Issued by | PMI | Amazon Web Services |
| Difficulty |
PMI-ACP
2,000 hours general project experience + 1,500 hours agile experience + 21 hours agile education
AWS AI Practitioner
None required
- You have PM experience and want to formalise agile or multi-methodology skills
- You want a potential +$15,000/yr salary uplift
- You manage delivery across Scrum, Kanban, Lean, or SAFe environments
- You're new to AI/ML and want a foundational credential from AWS
- You want a potential +$8,000/yr salary uplift
- Your organisation runs on AWS and you need the recognised entry-level credential
PMI-ACP and AWS AI Practitioner lead to entirely different careers — project management vs AI and machine learning. The right choice depends on which field aligns with your current job or target role. If you want both eventually, start with AWS AI Practitioner — it's the quicker win at the beginner level.
Best PMI-ACP courses
Best AWS AI Practitioner courses
Is PMI-ACP harder than AWS AI Practitioner?
PMI-ACP is harder — rated intermediate vs beginner.
Which pays more — PMI-ACP or AWS AI Practitioner?
PMI-ACP has an average salary uplift of +$15,000/yr, while AWS AI Practitioner has +$8,000/yr. PMI-ACP has the higher salary impact.
Which should I get first — PMI-ACP or AWS AI Practitioner?
AWS AI Practitioner is the better starting point — it's rated beginner and costs less. Use it as a stepping stone toward PMI-ACP.
Can I get both PMI-ACP and AWS AI Practitioner?
Yes — many professionals hold both. PMI-ACP and AWS AI Practitioner complement each other, covering project management and AI and machine learning respectively. Holding both signals broader expertise and typically commands a higher salary than either cert alone.
Which is worth it in 2026 — PMI-ACP or AWS AI Practitioner?
Both are worth it in 2026. PMI-ACP offers a +$15,000/yr average salary uplift; AWS AI Practitioner offers +$8,000/yr. PMI-ACP has the higher salary ceiling — making it the stronger ROI if you can only choose one.