Who this is for: Corporate L&D leaders, PMO heads, and project managers who need credible, current guidance on the PMI-ACP®—without fluff.

Fast Summary (read this first)

• What changed: PMI updated the PMI-ACP Exam Content Outline (ECO) in late 2024. The blueprint now has four domains: Mindset (28%), Leadership (25%), Product (19%), and Delivery (28%). 

• Format (unchanged): 120 questions in 180 minutes, available in multiple languages. 

• Eligibility (updated): Secondary degree + 24 months of agile experience in the last 5 years + 28 hours of agile training (PMI now states 28 hours, not 21). Project Management Institute

• Renewal: 30 PDUs every 3 years under PMI’s CCR program. Agile ACP

• Why it matters: Agile is mainstream—~70% of organizations report using agile in their SDLC and ~42% use hybrid models. Your buyers and stakeholders expect agile literacy. 

The Executive Case for PMI-ACP® (and why it’s different from PMP®)

Most enterprises now run hybrid delivery—a blend of predictive, agile, and DevOps. The PMI-ACP validates practical agility across frameworks (Scrum, Kanban, Lean, XP), not allegiance to one school. It complements PMP rather than competing with it:

• PMP® signals broad mastery of project delivery (predictive ↔ hybrid ↔ agile) with a heavy focus on decision-making under uncertainty at scale.

• PMI-ACP® signals hands-on agile competency: iterative planning, product/value thinking, team facilitation, stakeholder co-creation, and continuous delivery.

Agile is not fringe. The latest State of Agile shows ~70% using agile in the SDLC and ~42% using hybrid models—so procurement teams increasingly demand agile-literate project leaders.

The 2025 Exam: What’s Actually Tested

Format: 120 questions, 180 minutes. Scenario-heavy, practical judgment.

Eligibility & Application

You need:

• Secondary degree (or global equivalent)

• 24 months of agile experience in the last 5 years

• 28 hours of agile training (PMI or third-party)

Process: Create PMI account → submit application → (audit if selected) → pay & schedule (1-year eligibility; up to 3 attempts).

Costs & Membership (quick view)

• Exam fees (commonly referenced): US$495 non-member; US$435 member.

• PMI membership: typically US$129 + US$10 application.
  Confirm localized pricing at checkout; PMI updates fees periodically.

Keep It Current: PDUs

Renew every 3 years with 30 PDUs (education + optional giving back). Align learning with real initiatives: flow analytics, product discovery, facilitation.

How to Prep (smart and lean)

1) Map study to the blueprint
Mindset & Leadership first (teams and stakeholders), then Product and Delivery (value + flow).

2) Practice like production
Timed mocks (120 items); debrief the why. Add labs: backlog slicing, cycle time/throughput, stakeholder role-plays.

3) Team-based acceleration (corporates)
Run a 3-week bootcamp:

• Week 1: Mindset & Leadership (working agreements, facilitation)

• Week 2: Product (value slicing, outcome mapping)

• Week 3: Delivery (flow metrics, forecasting) + full mock & debrief

PMI-ACP® vs PMP® (at a glance)

What Buyers Should Measure Post-Training

• Lead/cycle time trends

• Throughput stability with controlled WIP

• Escaped defects reduction

• Outcome metrics (activation, NPS, renewal)
  Tie sponsorship to operational improvements, not just pass rates.

FAQs

1) Is PMI-ACP harder than PMP?

Different focus. PMP is broader and longer; ACP is shorter and tests applied agile judgment. Many agile practitioners find ACP more intuitive.

2) How many training hours do I need?

28 hours of agile-focused training.

3) How long is PMI-ACP valid?

3 years; renew with 30 PDUs per cycle.

4) What does the exam cover?

Four domains: Mindset, Leadership, Product, Delivery (weighted above).

5) Is agile still relevant outside software?

Yes—agile/hybrid practices are widely used across services, the public sector, and product organizations.

Conclusion & CTA

PMI-ACP® signals real delivery maturity in hybrid organizations—mindset, leadership, product thinking, and flow-based execution. Adopt a focused, lab-driven study plan, measure operational outcomes, and scale what works.

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