PMI-ACP vs CompTIA AI+
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 →CompTIA
CompTIA AI+
AI-900
Vendor-neutral AI certification covering AI concepts, machine learning, data science, and responsible AI practices.
Full guide →Side-by-side comparison
| Category | PMI-ACP | CompTIA AI+ |
|---|---|---|
| Exam cost | $495 USD | ✓$219 USD |
| Avg salary uplift | ✓+$15,000/yr | +$14,000/yr |
| Exam duration | 180 min | 165 min |
| Renewal period | Every 3 years | Every 3 years |
| Issued by | PMI | CompTIA |
| Difficulty | Intermediate | Intermediate |
PMI-ACP — Prerequisites
2,000 hours general project experience + 1,500 hours agile experience + 21 hours agile education
CompTIA AI+ — Prerequisites
CompTIA A+ or equivalent IT experience recommended
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 CompTIA AI+ if…
- •You have 2–3 years of IT experience and want to specialise
- •You want a +$14,000/yr salary boost
- •You prefer credentials from CompTIA
Best PMI-ACP courses
Best CompTIA AI+ courses
Frequently asked questions
Is PMI-ACP harder than CompTIA AI+?
Both PMI-ACP and CompTIA AI+ are rated intermediate difficulty.
Which pays more — PMI-ACP or CompTIA AI+?
PMI-ACP has an average salary uplift of +$15,000/yr, while CompTIA AI+ has +$14,000/yr. PMI-ACP has the higher salary impact.
Which should I get first — PMI-ACP or CompTIA AI+?
PMI-ACP is the better starting point — it's rated intermediate and costs less. Use it as a stepping stone toward CompTIA AI+.