Prosci Certification vs CCMP: Why You Need Both

Are you choosing between Prosci Change Management Certification and the ACMP® Certified Change Management Professional™ (CCMP™) credential? It's not an either-or decision—these credentials serve complementary roles in your professional development journey, not competing alternatives. Understanding how they work together creates a more powerful career advancement strategy than viewing them as an either-or decision. 

Prosci vs. CCMP: Understanding What Each Provides 

Prosci Change Management Certification provides methodology training with a research-based framework for managing organizational change. This change management training course delivers: 

• Practical application of the ADKAR® Model and Prosci Methodology to real projects 
• Immediately actionable skills and tools for change management 
• A change management plan template and hands-on experience 
• 23 hours of qualifying education toward CCMP requirements 

CCMP validates your professional experience through rigorous credentialing. This credential signifies: 

• Demonstrated experience applying change management across multiple projects and contexts 
• Adherence to industry best practices as defined by ACMP's Standard for Change Management© (Standard©) 
• Commitment to ongoing professional development (60 hours every 3 years) 
• Professional credentialing and industry recognition 

The key distinction is that Prosci Change Management Certification provides training and methodology, while CCMP provides professional credentialing and industry recognition. Prosci focuses on skill-building and practical application, while CCMP validates professional experience through rigorous assessment based on ISO standards. 

This makes Prosci Certification a strategic step toward achieving your CCMP, as it provides the qualifying education credit required for credentialing eligibility. 

How ACMP's Standard Connects to Prosci Certification 

ACMP's Standard for Change Management takes a method-neutral approach, defining generally accepted practices and processes without prescribing specific tools or templates. This means the Standard describes what effective organizational change management looks like without dictating exactly how to achieve it. 

The Prosci Methodology aligns with this Standard while providing the specific "how"—the concrete tools, templates, and step-by-step processes that make the Standard actionable. Where the Standard might describe the importance of evaluating change impact and organizational readiness, Prosci provides the 10 Aspects of Change Impact. When the Standard outlines developing change management plans, Prosci offers the ADKAR Blueprint to structure individual change planning and Proxima as a comprehensive web application to guide practitioners through applying the methodology systematically. 

This alignment is why Prosci maintains Qualified Education Provider™ (QEP™) status with ACMP. Our Change Management Certification Program meets the Standard's requirements for change management education while delivering practical methodology training that prepares you to apply those standards in your organization.

How Prosci Certification Supports Getting Your CCMP 

Many change professionals already have experience managing organizational transitions before pursuing Prosci Change Management Certification. They see certification as an opportunity to formalize their approach with a proven methodology and gain access to research-backed tools that strengthen their current work. 

When you're ready to pursue professional credentialing, Prosci and CCMP work as complementary stages in your career development: 

Step 1: Prosci Certification for methodology foundation 

Whether you're new to change management or have been managing change projects for years, Prosci Certification provides a research-based framework to strengthen your approach. This program teaches you to apply the Prosci Methodology to a current project you're working on, giving you structured tools to enhance your existing practice. The program provides 23 hours toward the 21-hour education requirement for CCMP and Prosci's QEP status ensures our program aligns with ACMP's Standard for Change Management, positioning you for future credentialing while immediately improving your current organizational change management effectiveness.  

Step 2: Apply skills and gain experience  

Use what you learned in your Prosci change management course to manage change projects in your organization successfully. Whether building on existing experience or starting fresh, our methodology provides a structured approach that helps you deliver consistent results while building the documented track record of successful change management application required for CCMP eligibility. 

Step 3: CCMP application and credentialing  

Once you have sufficient experience applying change management practices—including those learned through Prosci training—you're positioned to apply for CCMP credentialing. Your experience using Prosci Methodology demonstrates adherence to the practices outlined in ACMP's Standard. The application undergoes assessment, and the exam is conducted in English. 

Step 4: Ongoing Professional Development  

CCMP requires 60 hours of continuing education every three years. Prosci's Model Mastery programs and other advanced training options provide qualifying professional development units (PDUs) while deepening your expertise in specific methodology applications. 

Understanding CCMP Eligibility Requirements 

Before pursuing CCMP, you need to meet specific eligibility criteria: 

• Experience: 4,200 hours (~3 years) with a 4-year degree, or 7,000 hours (~5 years) with secondary education of change management experience 
• Training: 21 hours of change management training completed within the past 7 years that aligns with ACMP's Standard for Change Management 
• Application: Complete application undergoes ACMP assessment; applications must be submitted in English and are subject to audit 

Prosci Certification provides 23 hours of qualifying education, efficiently meeting the training requirement while preparing you to gain the experience needed for eligibility.  

Benefits of Combining Prosci Certification and CCMP 

Build on Experience – Prosci Certification formalizes and enhances what you're already doing. This creates a stronger foundation for CCMP pursuit while immediately improving your effectiveness on current projects. Prosci Certification ensures you have Standard-aligned education that's current (within 7 years) while CCMP validates your applied experience through rigorous assessment. 

Market Differentiation – Prosci Certification differentiates you through proven methodology expertise, whether you're formalizing existing skills or building new ones. CCMP provides additional differentiation through professional credentialing that requires demonstrated competency. This dual approach positions you effectively whether you're seeking advancement, new opportunities, or client credibility. 

Investment That Compounds – Rather than viewing these as separate investments, this approach treats methodology training and professional credentialing as complementary career assets that build on each other for maximum impact. 

Prosci or CCMP? Which Should You Choose First? 

Your path depends on where you are as a change management practitioner and your immediate goals for advancing in organizational change management. Consider these common scenarios to determine your next step: 

Already managing change projects?  

Stop relying on ad hoc approaches that leave results to chance. Prosci Change Management Certification gives you the research-backed methodology that turns your experience into consistent, documented success—while providing the 23 hours of Standard-aligned education that positions you for CCMP credentialing. Your current projects become the foundation for both immediate improvement and future professional recognition. 

New to change management or making a career transition?  

Don't enter the field without proven frameworks. Prosci Change Management Certification builds your methodology foundation with immediately applicable skills, giving you confidence to tackle real projects while earning education hours that count toward CCMP requirements. Start strong, not from scratch. 

Considering CCMP but missing formal training?  

Bridge the gap efficiently. Prosci Change Management Certification exceeds CCMP's 21-hour education requirement while ensuring your training aligns with ACMP's Standard—all within the required 7-year timeframe. Transform your experience into credentialing readiness.  

Ready to strengthen your change management practice? Explore Prosci's certification program and transform how you approach organizational transformation—starting with your very next project. 

Need to make the business case for training investment? Check out our guide to securing approval for change management certification for templates and talking points that demonstrate ROI to your organization.