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Best project manager/design manager certifications
The best certifications for a project manager/design manager are Certified Interior Designer (NCIDQ), National Council Certified Interior Designer (NCIDQ), and Master Project Manager (MPM).
Project manager/design manager certifications demonstrate your competency as a project manager/design manager to employers. However, not all project manager/design manager certifications provide the same value.
Below is a list of the best project manager/design manager certifications. Obtaining a project manager/design manager certification will give you a leg up when you apply for jobs and increase your potential salary.
10 best certifications for project manager/design managers
| Rank | Project manager/design manager certification | Organization |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Certified Interior Designer (NCIDQ) | CIDQ |
| 2 | National Council Certified Interior Designer (NCIDQ) | NCIDQ |
| 3 | Master Project Manager (MPM) | AAPM |
| 4 | Certified Construction Manager (CCM) | CMCI |
| 5 | Project Management Professional (PMP) | PMI |
| 6 | LEED AP Building Design + Construction (LEED) | GBCI |
| 7 | Master Certified Web Professional - Designer (CWP) | IWA |
| 8 | Certified Agile Developer (CAD) | GAQM |
| 9 | Certified Urban Designer (CUD) | APA |
| 10 | Certified Facility Manager (CFM) | IFMA |
10 best project manager/design manager certifications
1. Certified Interior Designer (NCIDQ)
The NCIDQ Examination consists of three separate exam sections, the Interior Design Fundamentals Exam (IDFX), the Interior Design Professional Exam (IDPX), and the Practicum Exam (PRAC), that measure a candidate's proficiency in interior design principles and application of knowledge to protect public health, safety and welfare. Two of the exams, IDFX and IDPX, are multiple choice exams.
- 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 1 year(s)
2. National Council Certified Interior Designer (NCIDQ)
Completion of the NCIDQ Examination recognizes that an individual has met minimum competency standards for the practice of interior design. NCIDQ's role includes the establishment of standards for education and experience and the administration of a minimum competency examination.
- 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?
3. Master Project Manager (MPM)
If you have 3+ years of Project Management Experience, you may apply for MPM™ Master Project Manager Board Certification.
- 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)
4. 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)
5. 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)
6. LEED AP Building Design + Construction (LEED)
For professionals with expertise in the design and construction phases of green buildings, serving the commercial, residential, education and healthcare sectors. The LEED BD+C exam is designed to measure your knowledge and skill in understanding the LEED Rating system and ability to facilitate the project certification process.
- 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. Master Certified Web Professional - Designer (CWP)
- 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)
8. 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
9. Certified Urban Designer (CUD)
Advanced Specialty Certification in Urban Design recognizes an individual's knowledge, experience, and application of design principles.
- 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)
10. Certified Facility Manager (CFM)
IFMA's CFM is an internationally recognized credential that sets the standard for ensuring the knowledge and competence of practicing facility managers. It is a competency-based certification that requires ongoing professional development and periodic renewal.
- 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)
What is the best certification for a project manager/design manager?
The best project manager/design manager certification is Certified Interior Designer (NCIDQ). The Certified Interior Designer (NCIDQ) is awarded by the Council for Interior Design Qualification. The advanced certification is for more experienced employees as it often requires some work experience to acquire.
Here's a bit more background on how to obtain this project manager/design manager certification:
- To become a certified Certified Interior Designer (NCIDQ), you need to pass the exam.
- This certificate requires more than two years of work experience.
- Renew certification every 1 year.
What are some of the most in-demand certifications for project manager/design managers?
The most in-demand project manager/design manager certification is Certified Interior Designer based on all active job postings. Having this project manager/design manager certification will give you access to more project manager/design manager jobs with higher salaries.
What certifications can impact a project manager/design manager career and salary?
The LEED AP Building Design + Construction certification will help you to secure a project manager position, which will increase your pay and career trajectory. A project manager's average salary is $85,365 whereas project manager/design managers make an average salary of $83,794.
The most common combination of project manager/design manager certifications include: Certified Interior Designer (NCIDQ), National Council Certified Interior Designer (NCIDQ), and Master Project Manager (MPM).
Online courses for project manager/design managers to earn certifications
1. Mastering Construction/Project Management
Mastering Construction-Project Management in less than 10 Hours...
2. Construction Cost Estimating and Management
Learn the tools used by construction management professionals to ensure their projects finish under budget...
3. Construction Project Scheduling
Learn the tools and techniques used by construction management professionals to ensure projects finish on time...
4. Practical Project Management for Management Consultants
How to manage successfully a consulting project - a practical guide for Project Managers...
5. Project Management Course: Master Project Scope Management
Practical guide to scope development and management - Project Management Certification (PMP, CAPM) Training [Earn 11PDU]...
6. Project Management Essentials
A crash course in the essentials of project management for new project managers...
7. Project Management: Master Project Management - PMP/PMI
Master Project Management using this practical certification course...
8. Project Management - Complete Guide For A+ Project Managers
Complete guide to project management - stakeholders, planning, cost, quality, risks, feasibility, methods & resourcing...
9. Project Management: Simple Software Project Management
Project Management for NEW Project Managers - knowledge, tools, techniques, skills, checklists, guidelines, pitfalls...
10. Construction Procurement Management
A course on procurement designed for engineers new to the infrastructure/construction industry...
11. Project Management Fundamentals
Practical Project Management worked example using Gantt Charts, PMI, PMP, APM...
12. IT Project Budget & Cost Management
Project Management tips to manage a million dollar IT Project budget from start to finish...
13. 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...
14. Beginning Project Management: Project Management Level One
Project Management: Growing a Successful Career as a Project Manager...
15. Project Management: Getting Started and Beyond
Real World Project Management: Become a Better Project Manager...
16. Agile Crash Course: Agile Project Management; Agile Delivery
Agile Project Management Basics (Scrum) & Agile Project Management Essentials (Scrum). Plus Agile Certification (Scrum)...
17. Project Management: Becoming a Successful Project manager
Project Management...
18. Master Course in Project Management 2.0
Project Management, PMP, Agile project management, Project manager, Prince2, Scrum, Project Planning, Project risk cost...
19. Project Management Fundamentals: Run projects effectively
Learn how to effectively analyze, plan, execute, and manage projects that consistently accomplish company objectives...
20. 47 Graphic Design Projects for Photoshop Beginners
Photoshop graphic design for beginners! Includes 47 Photoshop projects for your graphic design portfolio...