What Is Product Management Certification?

Product managers oversee the product life cycle, including each step from ideation to production to delivering to consumers. You may be responsible for researching customer needs, working with a design team on a product, developing a pricing strategy, and working with advertising and public relations teams to manage product launches.

In addition to its varied tasks, the job also offers considerable earning potential. For example, according to Indeed, a product manager can make an average annual salary of $123,075 [1]. 

To increase your odds of getting the position you desire, consider boosting your resume and helping it stand out by earning a product management certification—a credential that could possibly increase your earning power and demonstrate your interest in continuing your education in the field of product management. Discover product management certifications that could help you boost your career.

Popular product management certifications

Going through the product management certification process can help you sharpen your skills and help you stay current on industry best practices, all while following a structured learning path. Explore popular product management certifications in more detail to assess the best options for your career trajectory. 

1. Pragmatic Institute Product Management Certification

The Pragmatic Institute’s Product Management Certification is a three-part process. You can complete the Foundations, Focus, and Build courses, which cover how to investigate market issues, develop products, and lead product teams in order to earn your certification.

Requirements: None

Cost (US): Online courses are $1,295 each. In-person courses range from $1,295 to $1,495 depending on location. The On-Demand bundle for all three is $3,685, a $200 discount [2]

2. Association of International Product Marketing and Management (AIPMM) Certified Product Manager

The AIPMM Certified Product Manager program tests your understanding of different aspects of product management, such as developing case studies, creating business plans, designing product launch plans, and doing competitive analysis.

Requirements: None

Cost (US): Prices range from $1,500 (online, Productside) to $6,070 (in-person, Leoron Institute)

3. Product Development and Management Association (PDMA) New Product Development Professional Certification

The New Product Development Professional (NPDP) Certification offered by the Product Development and Management Association (PDMA) covers topics such as product portfolio management, market research, and life cycle management.

Requirements: You can have either a bachelor’s degree, two years of professional experience, and a passing score on the NPDP exam, or you can have a high school diploma, five years of professional experience, and a passing score on the NPDP exam.

Cost (US): $250 [3]

4. Product School Product Manager Certification (PMC)

The Product Manager Certification (PMC) is part of a series of product management certificates offered by the Product School. The PMC covers topics such as understanding your customers, taking a product from concept to reality, and creating a go-to-market plan for your product. The certification process also requires you to build a project plan you can use as an example of your experience for potential employers.

Requirements: None

Cost (US): $2,999 for single certification [4]

Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO)

The Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO) certification demonstrates your proficiency with the Scrum framework to create an efficient product management process. The course includes topics such as understanding the Scrum framework, advanced product planning, setting goals, and other Scrum-related topics.

Requirements: None

Cost (US): Between $275 and $899 (varies by provider)

How to get a product management certification

To become a certified product manager, you’ll need to choose a credential that meets your skills and education, complete a training course, and pass an exam. Review some different options for product management certifications to find appropriate options. Consider following these steps toward earning your certification:

1. Choose your certification.

Your first step can be researching certifications to determine which ones best suit your professional experience and goals. Each one may cover specific topics or fields you can tailor to your professional path. Consider the topics each certification covers, the requirements, and the cost to decide which options may work for your career.

2. Meet prerequisites.

Product management certifications may have minimal or detailed requirements you must meet before you can begin your certification journey. Ensure you know the requirements and the recommended experience and education for candidates before you start the certification process.

3. Enroll in a training course.

Some product management certifications may require completing a specific set of courses. Other certifications may require an exam. Consider finding training courses to help you prepare.

4. Schedule your course or exam.

You can research when courses or exams are offered. Check each certification’s website to find out more about course enrollment, exam times, and if you can do work online or if you need to be present in person to complete coursework or the exam.

What’s covered by a product management certification?

Each certificate focuses on different topics depending on the specialization you’re interested in. Topics that could be covered as part of the certification process include market research, portfolio management, strategic product planning, using a Scrum framework for your team, and the overall product life cycle from creation to completion.

What jobs can you get with a product management certification?

Certifications can help you get a job in various fields and industries depending on where you want to work as a product manager. Some job titles that handle product management and their average annual income include:

• Product manager: $123,075 [1]

• Data analyst: $82,770 [5]

• Business analyst: $85,907 [6]

• Project manager: $92,325 [7]

• Product marketing manager: $121,255 [8]

Where you work can also affect your salary. The top cities for product manager salaries include Seattle, Austin, and New York City [1].

Build skills to help you achieve product management certification on Coursera

You can boost your knowledge of product management and demonstrate your skills as a product manager by learning more about the field and working toward earning a certification. Developing a robust skill set and solid knowledge base can also help add to your resume. Online courses, such as the IBM Product Manager Professional Certificate, can help you go from beginner to career-ready while preparing you for the rigors of certification. You can also become familiar with Agile processes with the Scrum Master Certification Specialization from LearnQuest, which can help you build your proficiency in continuous integration and scaling teams.