Skip to content
VerifyED

Professional Certification Verification

How to Verify a Project Manager Certification (PMP / CAPM / PRINCE2)

Project management credentials span multiple organizations — PMI, Axelos, Scrum Alliance, and others. Here is how to verify each one and understand what the letters after a PM's name actually mean.

· 7 min read

Quick answer

For PMP and PMI credentials, verify at pmi.org via the PMI Credential Registry. For PRINCE2, verify through Axelos at axelos.com or PeopleCert. For Scrum/Agile credentials, verify with Scrum Alliance at scrumalliance.org or Scrum.org at scrum.org.

PMI credentials

The Project Management Institute (PMI) is the largest global project management credentialing body. PMI credentials are widely recognized across industries.

  • PMP (Project Management Professional): The gold standard PM credential. Requires qualifying project management experience (typically 36–60 months), formal PM education, and passage of the PMP examination. Must be renewed every 3 years through 60 PDUs (Professional Development Units).
  • CAPM (Certified Associate in Project Management): Entry-level credential for those new to PM. No work experience required — designed for recent graduates and career changers.
  • PMI-ACP (PMI Agile Certified Practitioner): Agile-focused credential covering Scrum, Kanban, Lean, XP, and other agile frameworks.
  • PgMP (Program Management Professional): Senior credential for program managers overseeing multiple related projects.
  • PfMP (Portfolio Management Professional): Executive-level credential for portfolio managers.

To verify PMI credentials:

  1. Go to pmi.org
  2. Navigate to “Verify Certification” or the PMI Credential Registry
  3. Search by the professional's name or PMI ID number
  4. Confirm: credential type, Active status, and PDU cycle expiration

PMP fraud is common

PMP is one of the most commonly falsified professional credentials in technology and management hiring. Always verify directly through the PMI registry — do not rely on a PDF certificate or badge alone. PMI verifies the current status of the credential, including whether it has lapsed from PDU non-renewal.

PRINCE2 credentials

PRINCE2 (PRojects IN Controlled Environments) is a structured project management methodology widely used in the UK, Europe, Australia, and government sectors globally. It is owned by Axelos and administered by PeopleCert.

  • PRINCE2 Foundation: Entry-level knowledge certification — tests understanding of the PRINCE2 methodology. No experience required.
  • PRINCE2 Practitioner: Application-level certification for practitioners who apply PRINCE2 to real projects. Requires Foundation first.

Verify PRINCE2 certifications through PeopleCert at peoplecert.org using their digital credential verification tool. Axelos transitioned certification administration to PeopleCert in 2021; verify through PeopleCert for all certifications issued after that date.

Agile and Scrum credentials

Multiple organizations issue Scrum and Agile credentials:

  • CSM (Certified ScrumMaster) — Scrum Alliance: The most common Scrum credential. Verify at scrumalliance.org/verify.
  • PSM (Professional Scrum Master) — Scrum.org: Knowledge-based Scrum credential from the Scrum co-founder's organization. Verify at scrum.org.
  • SAFe (Scaled Agile Framework) certifications: Various roles (SAFe Agilist, SAFe Scrum Master, SAFe Program Consultant). Verify at scaledagile.com.
  • PMI-ACP: See PMI section above — verify at pmi.org.

CSM requires renewal every 2 years with continuing education. PSM certifications from Scrum.org do not expire. SAFe certifications renew annually. Verify renewal status when certifications have expiration dates.

Red flags

  • PMP claimed but name not found in PMI registry at pmi.org
  • Expired PMP not disclosed — PDU maintenance is required every 3 years
  • CAPM presented as equivalent to PMP for senior PM roles
  • PRINCE2 certification cannot be verified through PeopleCert
  • Scrum certification from an unrecognized organization (many low-quality Scrum cert mills exist)
  • Multiple PM acronyms after a name from obscure organizations — verify each one

Verification checklist

  • 1. For PMP/CAPM/PMI-ACP: verify at pmi.org credential registry — confirm Active status and PDU cycle
  • 2. For PRINCE2: verify at peoplecert.org digital credential verification
  • 3. For CSM: verify at scrumalliance.org/verify
  • 4. For PSM: verify at scrum.org
  • 5. For SAFe: verify at scaledagile.com
  • 6. Confirm credential level matches the role seniority and methodology used by the organization

Verify the educational institution

Some PM certificate programs are offered by diploma mills or unaccredited institutions. Use VerifyED to confirm whether a school's project management program is regionally accredited and legitimate.

Search Schools and Accreditation →