5 Best Project Scheduling Certifications for Upskilling in 2025
Project scheduling certifications can help you build your skills in planning, executing, and monitoring project timelines, and they provide a tangible way to prove that you have these skills to potential employers.
Here are my picks for the best project scheduling certifications and my notes on who and what each one is best to help you find the right fit for the next step in your career.
Best Project Scheduling Certifications Shortlist
- PMI Scheduling Professional (PMI-SP) — Best for a globally-recognized project scheduling certification
- Certified Scheduling Technician (CST) — Best for building foundational scheduling skills
- AACE Planning & Scheduling Professional (PSP) — Best for advanced project scheduling proficiency
- Advanced Project Scheduling Certificate — Best for in-depth scheduling techniques
- Project Schedule: Monitor & Control Specialist Certification — Best for project monitoring techniques
Overviews of the Best Project Scheduling Certifications
Below are detailed summaries of the best project scheduling certifications on my shortlist.
1. PMI Scheduling Professional (PMI-SP) - Best for a globally-recognized project scheduling certification
The PMI-SP certification, offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI), covers project controls and advanced scheduling techniques. It will prepare you for the PMI-SP exam and allow you to demonstrate your expertise in creating, managing, and maintaining project schedules.
Issued by: Project Management Institute (PMI)
Focus:
- Project scheduling principles
- Schedule strategy management
- Monitoring and controlling schedules
Prerequisites:
- Education: Secondary degree or higher, as well as 40 hours of education in project scheduling
- Work Experience: At least 40 hours of project scheduling experience within the last five years
- Exam: The exam is made up of 170 multiple-choice questions and must be completed in 3.5 hours
- Other Certifications Required: None
Renewability: Yes. In order to renew your certification, you must complete 30 professional development units (PDUs) every three years.
Price:
- Member: $520
- Non-member: $670
Who It’s For: This certification is ideal if you want to demonstrate and validate your expertise in project scheduling and showcase your ability to manage and maintain project schedules efficiently.
2. AACE Certified Scheduling Technician (CST) - Best for building foundational scheduling skills
This certification covers scheduling methodologies, including the critical path method, and is most valuable if you're primarily working on construction projects. It also provides a strong foundation if you're aiming to pursue advanced credentials like the Project Management Professional (PMP).
Issued by: AACE International
Focus:
- Project scheduling
- Control processes
- Fundamental scheduling techniques
- Cost engineering principles
Prerequisites:
- Education: 4 years of industry-related experience, or the required work experience
- Work Experience: 4 years industry-related degree
- Exam: Yes, an exam is required.
- Other Certifications Required: None
Renewability: Yes. You must renew your certification every three years by either earning 12 continuing education units (CEUs) or retaking the certification exam.
Price:
- Member: $260
- Non-member: $390
Who It’s For: This certification is ideal if you're an early-career professional looking to demonstrate your proficiency in project scheduling and earn a stepping stone towards more advanced certifications.
3. AACE Planning & Scheduling Professional (PSP) - Best for advanced project scheduling proficiency
This certification demonstrates that you have advanced knowledge and skills in project planning and scheduling. You'll learn about key features of effective schedule development and be able to showcase your expertise in managing project activities to meet goals, deadlines, and budgets.
Issued by: AACE International
Focus:
- Project planning and scheduling
- Schedule tracking and analysis
- Time management techniques
- Risk management in scheduling
- Resource allocation and management
Prerequisites:
- Education: A bachelor's degree or equivalent in a related field.
- Work Experience: At least 8 years of professional experience in project scheduling, or 4 years of experience and a bachelor’s degree.
- Exam: Yes, an exam is required.
- Other Certifications Required: None
Renewability: Yes. You must renew your certification every three years by either earning 12 CEUs or retaking the certification exam.
Price:
- Member: $525
- Non-member: $690
Who It’s For: This certification is best if you already have experience or a certification in scheduling, as it will cover more advanced techniques.
4. Advanced Project Scheduling Certificate - Best for in-depth scheduling techniques
This certification helps you build advanced skills in project scheduling. It covers topics like resource management, advanced reporting, schedule analysis, and earned value management (EVM). Offered online, it allows flexible learning, and you'll also get 21 PDUs upon completion.
Issued by: MPUG
Focus:
- Advanced schedule creation, maintenance, management, and analysis
- Communication and reporting best practices
Prerequisites:
- Education: None
- Work Experience: None
- Other Certifications Required: None
Price: $129
Who It’s For: This certification is best if you want to improve your proficiency in managing complex projects effectively, showcase your ability to create robust schedules, and execute more successful projects.
5. Certified Project Schedule: Monitor & Control Specialist - Best for project monitoring techniques
This certification, offered by AIGPE, will help you improve your skills in managing timelines and resources. It focuses on tools and techniques for monitoring progress, controlling deviations, and communicating effectively with teams and stakeholders.
Issued by: AIGPE
Focus:
- Scheduling tools and techniques
- Monitoring project progress
- Controlling project deviations
- Communicating with project teams and stakeholders
Prerequisites:
- Education: None
- Work Experience: None
- Exam: The exam can be taken online and consists of 15 multiple-choice questions
- Other Certifications Required: None
Who It’s For: This certification is best if you're looking to validate and improve your ability to effectively monitor and control project schedules.
FAQs about Project Scheduling Certifications
What is a project scheduling certification?
A project scheduling certification is a professional credential that validates an individual’s expertise in creating, managing, and maintaining project schedules. It demonstrates that they are proficient at using scheduling tools and techniques to make sure projects are completed on time.
Why should I pursue a project scheduling certification?
Pursuing a project scheduling certification can improve your career prospects and help you showcase your specialized skills in project management. It can lead to better job opportunities, career advancement, and increased earning potential.
Which organizations offer project scheduling certifications?
Organizations such as PMI offer project scheduling certifications. Other institutions and online platforms also provide similar certifications that are tailored to different aspects of project management.
How long does it take to earn a project scheduling certification?
The time required to earn a project scheduling certification can vary depending on the specific certification and your prior experience and study habits. It can take anywhere from several months to a few weeks of dedicated study and preparation in order to pass the certification exam.
Are there any prerequisites for obtaining a project scheduling certification?
Prerequisites for project scheduling certification can vary depending on the certifying body. For example, PMI’s Scheduling Professional certification requires a combination of project scheduling experience and formal education. Review the specific requirements for the certification you are interested in pursuing.
Other Useful Resources
Here are a few other useful resources to check out:
- Guide to project management
- Essential project management skills for PMs
- Project management certifications to consider
- Best project scheduling courses to take
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