PMI-ACP vs CISM
Which certification is right for your career? Here's the full breakdown.
PMI
PMI-ACP
PMI-ACP
PMI's agile certification covering Scrum, Kanban, Lean, XP, and SAFe — ideal for PMs transitioning to agile delivery.
Full guide →ISACA
CISM
CISM
Management-focused security certification covering governance, risk management, and incident management.
Full guide →Side-by-side comparison
| Category | PMI-ACP | CISM |
|---|---|---|
| Exam cost | ✓$495 USD | $760 USD |
| Avg salary uplift | +$15,000/yr | ✓+$20,000/yr |
| Exam duration | 180 min | 240 min |
| Renewal period | Every 3 years | Every 3 years |
| Issued by | PMI | ISACA |
| Difficulty | Intermediate | Advanced |
PMI-ACP — Prerequisites
2,000 hours general project experience + 1,500 hours agile experience + 21 hours agile education
CISM — Prerequisites
5 years information security management experience
Get PMI-ACP if…
- •You have 2–3 years of IT experience and want to specialise
- •You want a +$15,000/yr salary boost
- •You prefer credentials from PMI
Get CISM if…
- •You're aiming for senior or management roles in security
- •You want a +$20,000/yr salary boost
- •You prefer credentials from ISACA
Best PMI-ACP courses
Best CISM courses
Frequently asked questions
Is PMI-ACP harder than CISM?
CISM is harder — rated advanced vs intermediate.
Which pays more — PMI-ACP or CISM?
PMI-ACP has an average salary uplift of +$15,000/yr, while CISM has +$20,000/yr. CISM has the higher salary impact.
Which should I get first — PMI-ACP or CISM?
PMI-ACP is the better starting point — it's rated intermediate and costs less. Use it as a stepping stone toward CISM.