Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Best cost estimator certifications
The best certifications for a cost estimator are Certified Construction Manager (CCM), Engineer In Training Certification (EIT), and Certified Cost Professional (CCP).
Cost estimator certifications demonstrate your competency as a cost estimator to employers. However, not all cost estimator certifications provide the same value.
Below is a list of the best cost estimator certifications. Obtaining a cost estimator certification will give you a leg up when you apply for jobs and increase your potential salary.
7 best certifications for cost estimators
| Rank | Cost estimator certification | Organization |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Certified Construction Manager (CCM) | CMCI |
| 2 | Engineer In Training Certification (EIT) | NCEES |
| 3 | Certified Cost Professional (CCP) | AACE |
| 4 | Certified Cost Estimator/Analyst (CCE/A) | ICEAA |
| 5 | Certified Agile Developer (CAD) | GAQM |
| 6 | Certified Planning Engineer (CPE) | AAPM |
| 7 | Project Management Professional (PMP) | PMI |
7 best cost estimator certifications
1. Certified Construction Manager (CCM)
The Certified Construction Manager (CCM) is someone who has voluntarily met the prescribed criteria of the CCM program with regard to formal education, field experience and demonstrated capability and understanding of the CM body of knowledge.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 3 year(s)
2. Engineer In Training Certification (EIT)
The EIT Certification, which is formally known as the Engineer In Training Certification, is simply a document, a number, granted by the individual’s state engineering board after they pass the Engineer In Training Exam. The Engineer in Training Exam (EIT Exam) is the first of two exams you will take as you move towards obtaining your Professional Engineering License (PE). This exam, which you may also hear referred to as the Fundamentals of Engineering exam (FE Exam), is developed and administered in all states (and a number of locations outside the US) by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES). The FE Exam is offered to eligible students year-round in four different testing windows.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? No
- Renewal required? No
3. Certified Cost Professional (CCP)
A CCP is an experienced practitioner with advanced knowledge and technical expertise to apply the broad principles and best practices of Total Cost Management (TCM) in the planning, execution and management of any organizational project or program. CCPs also demonstrate the ability to research and communicate aspects of TCM principles and practices to all levels of project or program stakeholders, both internally and externally.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 3 year(s)
4. Certified Cost Estimator/Analyst (CCE/A)
The Society's Certified Cost Estimator/Analyst (CCE/A) program provides a professional credential to SCEA members and nonmembers who demonstrate mastery of basic concepts and methods. The individuals achieving certification: 1) pass a written exam testing their knowledge and skills; 2) qualify to take the exam by demonstrating nominal levels of training and work experience.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 5 year(s)
5. Certified Agile Developer (CAD)
Agile approaches help teams respond to unpredictability through incremental, iterative work cadences, known as sprints. Agile methodologies are an alternative to waterfall, or traditional sequential development. Agile, a popular method of delivering top-quality software on schedule through a collaborative, iterative approach. Certification helps in understanding the key principles of Agile software development, which promote faster release cycles, better deliverable's and the ability to adapt quickly to changing circumstances. You’ll gain knowledge on policies and process improvements that can enhance interactions between developers and project and program managers. Agile software development, uses iterative, feature-driven, customer-focused Agile practices to develop applications that meet user requirements. In this certification, you also gain practical experience performing each role within an Agile team.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? No
- Renewal required? No
6. Certified Planning Engineer (CPE)
Our AAPM Global Board of Standards issues the CPE Certified Planning Engineer - Board Certification to qualified applicants who have met our commission requirements of: Education, Training, Experience, Industry Knowledge, Ethics, and Continuing Education.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)
7. Project Management Professional (PMP)
The PMP designation following your name tells current and potential employers that you have demonstrated a solid foundation of knowledge from which you can competently practice project management.To be eligible for a PMP Credential, you must first meet specific educational and project management experience requirements and agree to adhere to a code of professional conduct. The final step to becoming a PMP is passing a rigorous multiple-choice examination designed to objectively assess and measure your ability to apply project management knowledge in the following six domains: initiating the project, planning the project, executing the project, monitoring and controlling the project, closing the project, and professional and social responsibility. This computer-based examination is administered globally with translation aids in 10 languages.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 3 year(s)
What is the best certification for a cost estimator?
The best cost estimator certification is Certified Construction Manager (CCM). The Certified Construction Manager (CCM) is awarded by the Construction Manager Certification Institute. This certification is great to have as it shows an improvement in your competency to perform your role. You can earn this certification at the beginning of your career, as it often doesn't require a minimum education level and work experience.
Here's a bit more background on how to obtain this cost estimator certification:
- To become a certified Certified Construction Manager (CCM), you need to pass the exam.
- This certificate requires more than two years of work experience.
- Renew certification every 3 year.
What are some of the most in-demand certifications for cost estimators?
The most in-demand cost estimator certification is Certified Cost Professional based on all active job postings. Having this cost estimator certification will give you access to more cost estimator jobs with higher salaries.
The most common combination of cost estimator certifications include: Certified Construction Manager (CCM), Engineer In Training Certification (EIT), and Certified Cost Professional (CCP).
Online courses for cost estimators to earn certifications
1. Basics of Cost Accounting: Product Costing
The core of the first course is to learn how companies record total costs and calculate unit costs for their individual products or services. For example, how can a car manufacturer figure out the costs of an individual car series? During the first weeks, participants learn what costs are and how to distinguish them from expenses or cash flows. Participants will understand how companies record total costs and distinguish important cost types such as material costs, personnel costs, or...
2. Cost Accounting
View the Specialization trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XE5Rx91bdYw\n\nMany corporate decisions need cost accounting information. When you know the costs of your products, you will make better pricing decisions and you can better choose which products to offer. When you know the costs of your departments, you can better detect inefficiencies and you can better incentivize your employees.\n\nIn this Specialization, you will learn the fundamentals of cost accounting. Three courses cover...
3. Projects Cost Management, Estimating, Budgeting and Control.
Learn how to estimate costs for any project, how to determine budget and how to use Earned Value Management tools. 3 PDU...
4. Construction Cost Estimating and Management
Learn the tools used by construction management professionals to ensure their projects finish under budget...
5. Cost Accounting: Decision Making
In the third course, you will learn how to use information from cost accounting to improve managerial decision-making. We discuss business decisions and suggest how cost information can support them best. For example, how will costs change if managers adjust cost drivers? How many units do companies need to sell in order to avoid losses or to achieve a targeted profit? How can managers improve pricing or product programs with information from cost accounting?...
6. Cost Reduction: Cut Costs and Maximise Profits
Cost cutting & cost reduction for a profit focused business...
7. Learn Estimating & Cost Control
Develop a good practical understanding of best practice estimating and cost control on building & construction Projects...
8. Cost Accounting: Introduction to Management Accounting
Learn Cost Accounting for Management. Includes Process Costing, ABC Systems, Variance Analysis, Cash Budgets and more...
9. Project Management: Cost & Schedule Monitoring using EVM
Earned Value Management, Project Management, Cost Control & Monitor, Budget, Schedule & Cost Variance, Performance Index...
10. Quantity Surveying Building Estimation BBS with Excel & CAD
Quantity Surveying, Construction Estimation ,Quantity survey ,Cost Estimation ,Civil engineering, Building Estimation...
11. IT Project Budget & Cost Management
Project Management tips to manage a million dollar IT Project budget from start to finish...
12. Managerial (Cost) Accounting For Beginners
Management accounting for managers and students. Learn managerial and cost accounting. #1 accounting course online...
13. AWS Cost Management Tools (Cost Explorer) Crash Course
Learn everything about AWS Cost Explorer, Cloud Financial Management and Reserved Instance/Savings Plan...
14. Quantity Surveying Templates for Effective Cost Management
Quantity Surveying, Payment Application, Payment Tracker, Variation, Claim, Material Claim, Guarantees, Price Comparison...
15. Cost Accounting and Financial Management - A Complete Study
Learn theory and practical concepts in Cost Accounting and Financial Management with loads of video lectures...
16. Managerial and Cost Accounting: A Comprehensive Guide
Unlock Financial Insights, Make Informed Decisions: Optimize Business Performance, Maximize Profitability...
17. Cost Accounting - A Comprehensive Study for CA/CMA/CS /ACCA/
Learn basic to advanced concepts in Cost Accounting comprehensively...
18. Cost Reduction for Managers & Management Consultants
A practical guide on how to cut costs in business & private life. Learn how efficiently to conduct cost-cutting projects...
19. Cost of Quality Analysis and Reporting using Microsoft Excel
Expertly collect, analyze and present quality cost data (using Microsoft Excel) to help drive continual improvement...
20. Low Cost Business Models
How to create a no-frill low-cost business model and kill the competition...