Program overview

What are the benefits of becoming Pragmatic Marketing Certified?
Certification is an investment in one’s career and professional advancement. Being certified demonstrates to employers and customers a designated level of knowledge in product management. It allows an individual to provide evidence of merit to potential employers.

Do certified employees earn more?
Although not an absolute guarantee, studies have shown that many certified individuals see a salary increase following successful completion of a certification. Certified employees in technology organizations may earn on the average about 10% more than those not certified.

What is the definition of certification?
A certification is formal recognition that an individual has taken a test on the required work behaviors, and demonstrated proficiency within and a comprehension of a specified body of knowledge at a certain point in time. It is an acknowledgment and not registration, licensure or a guarantee of any career advancement.

What is the Pragmatic Marketing Certified program?
Pragmatic Marketing Certified is a certification program that tests an individual on the level of knowledge he/she has regarding a defined set of best practices and proven methods of performing specific tasks in product management, as taught by Pragmatic Marketing. The program allows an individual to display a competency level in a narrowly defined sub-domain of product management.

Why was the program created?
To help Pragmatic Marketing alumni differentiate themselves, validate their skills, gain professional acknowledgement and demonstrate a commitment to the product management profession.

Who is the target audience for the program?
The program is primarily directed at technology product management and product marketing managers who attend the Practical Product Management seminar.

Who provides training for the program?
Pragmatic Marketing has exclusive rights and is the sole provider for all training and seminars, relevant to the certification program.

What is the program’s earned designation?
Individuals who pass the certification test will earn the designation of Pragmatic Marketing Certified (PMC).

Is there a certification study guide?
Yes. Acting as the certification study guide is the relevant seminar courseware, course aids and templates. No other curriculum has been developed for the program. Seminar courseware is only provided to seminar attendees and not sold separately.

Who earns and retains the certification?
The individual who attended the training and passed the test earns the certification, not the company where the individual is employed. Therefore, if an individual leaves a company, the certification is retained by the certified individual.

What does the program not provide?
The program certifies that an individual has a certain level of knowledge in a particular product management related topic, but does not designate any individual (certified or not) as being more qualified, experienced or more suitable than others for any product management role or tasks.

The program does not…

• substitute for actual product management experience
• teach nor test all that is needed to become a qualified product manager
• provide for actual on-the-job performance testing

Certification rules

Are there any work experience requirements?
There are no work experience requirements to attend the seminars or take the test. However, in order to pass, the test will call upon the candidate to demonstrate a level of understanding which is based on real work experience as well as knowledge gained through relevant seminar attendance.

Are there any certification prerequisites?
Yes. Attendance at the Practical Product Management seminar is required prior to taking the certification test. Those candidates who attended the seminar more than six months ago are strongly advised to attend the seminar again in preparation for taking the certification test.

What are the certification expiration criteria?
There are presently no expiration criteria for an earned certification.

What are the decertification criteria?
There are presently no decertification criteria for an earned certification.

What are the recertification criteria?
There are presently no recertification criteria for an earned certification. Recertification may be planned and enforced only if there is a fundamental change in any of the certification curriculum or other elements.

How many times can a test be taken?
There are presently no penalties or limitations in place to retake the test. If desired, candidates may retake the test as many times as needed until a passing score is achieved. Candidates who wish to retake the test must re-register for the test.

Can the program be retired?
The PMC program may be retired at any point in time. Certified individuals will be allowed to retain their designation.

What are the logo terms of use?
The certified candidate will be granted limited use of the PMC title and logo for self-promotional purposes. The use of the PMC logo and title will be governed by the Certification Agreement.

Test overview

What format is used for the tests?
The test is administered in a closed-book, multiple-choice, time-constrained format in a proctored environment and conducted at the same location following the conclusion of the Practical Product Management seminar.

Who administers and delivers the tests?
Test registration, delivery and administration is handled by Pragmatic Marketing, Inc. Examinations are in English.

When are test results provided?
Candidates will receive their test score via e-mail within about three weeks following the test. A certificate is mailed via US Mail to those who pass the test.

How should I study for the test?
Most important content, in terms of study materials for the test, are the seminar slides (the printed manual) and notes taken during the Practical Product Management seminar. Reading the relevant articles on www.pragmaticmarketing.com is useful to promote understanding and should be done, but the focus should be on articles most relevant to the seminar content. In addition, candidates should review the document templates provided in the seminar. It is not necessary to memorize the templates or learn them in detail, but it’s highly recommended candidates clearly understand their structure.

The test does demand retention and knowledge, but much of the test's content calls for common sense and a solid understanding of product management principals. Candidates will encounter questions that test for knowledge, but also scenario-based questions where there is a need to apply logic and understanding in order to solve a common product manager's problem/challenge.

How do I register for the test?
A: Candidates registering for the 2- or 3-day Practical Product Management (with Requirements) seminar will be prompted to register for the examination at no additional charge. Alumni should visit www.pragmaticmarketing.com/seminars/certification and click the link for Alumni Registration. The test fee for previous attendees is $25.00 US per person. The fee is non-refundable and non-transferable. Travel arrangements and expenses incurred are the candidate’s financial responsibility.