What Is Product Management Certification?

Written by Coursera Staff • Updated on

Discover how earning a product management certification can give you a boost in your career and help you make your resume more appealing to potential employers.

[Featured Image] A professional who earned a product management certification presents a strategic plan on a whiteboard while discussing ideas with colleagues in a collaborative workspace.

Key takeaways

Product management certifications demonstrate that you posses the critical product management skills needed to do your job. At a glance, here's what you need to know about product management and certifications in the field:

  • According to Indeed, product managers earn an average annual salary of $135,512 [1]. Obtaining a product management certification may also help boost your earning potential. 

  • Product management certifications, such as the Pragmatic Institute PMC or the Product School PMC, can help you stand out to potential employers.

Below, you'll discover product management certifications to help you boost your career. Afterward, if you want to start building more product management skills, consider enrolling in the IBM Product Manager Professional Certificate.

Going through the product management certification process can help you sharpen your skills and 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 program. You can complete the Foundations, Focus, and Build courses, which cover investigating market issues, developing products, and leading product teams 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 $3,885 [2]

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

The AIPMM Certified Product Manager 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): The exam costs $500 to take online. Prices for preparatory classes range from $1,500 to more than $6,000.

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]

5. 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, 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 whether 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: $122,392 [1]

  • Data analyst: $86,622 [5]

  • Business analyst: $91,752 [6]

  • Project manager: $99,350 [7]

  • Product marketing manager: $130,641 [8]

Where you work can also affect your salary. San Francisco, Seattle, and New York City are the top cities for product manager salaries [1].

Learn more about product management on Coursera

If you enjoy working with products throughout their lifecycle, you might consider pursuing a career in product management. Keep building toward your career goals with these resources from Coursera:

Whether you want to develop a new skill, get comfortable with an in-demand technology, or advance your abilities, keep growing with a Coursera Plus subscription. You’ll get access to over 10,000 flexible courses.

Article sources

1. 

Indeed. “Product manager salary, https://www.indeed.com/career/product-manager/salaries.” Accessed August 5, 2026.

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This content has been made available for informational purposes only. Learners are advised to conduct additional research to ensure that courses and other credentials pursued meet their personal, professional, and financial goals.