Maintenance Project Managers are the backbone of efficient plant operations, facility upgrades, and asset overhauls. In a field that’s rapidly evolving with AI, IoT, and smart CMMS systems, staying ahead means more than just hands-on experience. It means certification.
In this guide, we’ll cover the top globally recognized certifications for maintenance project managers, how much you can earn with each, and a step-by-step process to obtain them.
1. Project Management Professional (PMP®) – PMI
Overview
The PMP® certification for Maintenance Project Managers is the most recognized project management credential worldwide, offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI). It demonstrates your ability to manage complex projects with predictive, agile, and hybrid methodologies.
Who Should Get It?
- Maintenance managers leading multi-phase projects
- Engineering project coordinators
- Turnaround/Shutdown supervisors
Average Salary
$110,000 – $140,000/year (Canada/US)
PMP-certified professionals earn 20–25% more than their uncertified peers, on average.
Exam Details
- Duration: 230 minutes
- Questions: 180 (multiple choice, multiple response, hotspot, drag & drop)
- Passing Score: PMI doesn’t release the exact threshold
- Mode: Online or in-person
- Cost: $555 (non-member), $405 (PMI member)
Step-by-Step: How to Get PMP®
- Meet Eligibility Criteria
- With a 4-year degree: 36 months of experience + 35 hours of project management training
- With high school diploma: 60 months of experience + 35 hours of training
- Take a PMP Prep Course
- Recommended: Coursera, LinkedIn Learning, or PMI’s official training partners
- Make sure it provides a certificate of completion for the 35-hour training requirement
- Apply via PMI.org
- Create a free account and fill in education, experience, and training details
- Application gets reviewed in 5–10 business days
- Schedule & Pass the Exam
- You have 1 year to take the exam after approval
- Retakes allowed (fee applies)
- Maintain Certification
- Earn 60 PDUs (Professional Development Units) every 3 years
📌 Official Link: https://www.pmi.org/certifications/project-management-pmp
2. Certified Maintenance & Reliability Professional (CMRP) – SMRP
Overview
Offered by the Society for Maintenance & Reliability Professionals (SMRP), CMRP focuses on best practices in maintenance, reliability, and asset performance. It is a valuable certification for Maintenance Project Managers.
Who Should Get It
- CMMS managers
- Preventive maintenance planners
- Asset reliability engineers
Average Salary
$90,000 – $125,000/year
Highly valued in manufacturing, utilities, aviation, and oil & gas industries.
Exam Details
- Duration: 2.5 hours
- Questions: 110 multiple-choice
- Passing Score: ~70%
- Cost: $300 (members), $400 (non-members)
Step-by-Step: How to Get CMRP
- No Experience Requirement!
- Open to all professionals in maintenance/reliability
- However, 3+ years of experience is recommended for success
- Optional Prep Courses
- SMRP offers study guides and workshops
- Use practice exams from third-party providers like Mobius Institute
- Register on SMRP.org
- Choose your location and preferred proctoring method (online or in-person)
- Take the Exam
- Scheduled via SMT testing partners
- Recertify Every 3 Years
- Earn 50 professional development hours
📌 Official Link: https://www.smrp.org/CMRP
3. Certified Facility Manager (CFM) – IFM for Maintenance Project Managers
Overview
The Certified Facility Manager (CFM) credential is awarded by IFMA, targeting professionals responsible for the integrated operation and maintenance of facilities.
Who Should Get It?
- Facilities maintenance managers
- Building operations supervisors
- Energy & sustainability project leads
Average Salary
$85,000 – $120,000/year
Exam Details
- Duration: 4 hours
- Questions: 180
- Cost: $950 (member), $1,350 (non-member)
Step-by-Step: How to Get CFM
- Meet Experience Requirements
- 5+ years in facility management
- Combination of education + work history accepted
- Apply via IFMA.org
- Submit resume, project summaries, and employer verification
- Schedule Your Exam
- Available online or through Prometric test centers
- Pass the Exam
- Covers 11 competencies, from operations to environmental stewardship
- Maintain Certification
- Recertify every 3 years with 120 points in continuing education
📌 Official Link: https://www.ifma.org/credentials/cfm
4. Lean Six Sigma (Green & Black Belt) for Maintenance Project Managers
Overview
Lean Six Sigma is not specific to maintenance but is widely used in asset-heavy industries to eliminate waste and improve efficiency.
Who Should Get It?
- Maintenance analysts
- Project improvement leads
- Reliability & OEE engineers
Average Salary
- Green Belt: $90,000 – $105,000
- Black Belt: $115,000 – $140,000
Exam & Certification Providers
- Organizations: ASQ, GoLeanSixSigma, IASSC
- Cost: $300–$600 (Green Belt), $800–$1,200 (Black Belt)
- No mandatory prerequisites (but project experience helps)
Step-by-Step: How to Get Lean Six Sigma Certified
- Choose a Provider
- Popular: ASQ.org, GoLeanSixSigma.com
- Check if they include real project mentoring
- Enroll in Course + Exam
- Most are online, self-paced or instructor-led
- Pass the Exam
- Typically 100–150 questions
- (Optional) Complete Real Project
- Some providers require submission of a completed process improvement project
- Maintain Certification
- Some providers require renewal every 3–5 years
5. Certified Reliability Leader (CRL) – ReliabilityWeb
Overview
The CRL certification prepares leaders to build cultures of reliability using Uptime Elements—a holistic asset management framework.
Who Should Get It?
- Senior maintenance engineers
- Asset lifecycle managers
- Industrial IoT (IIoT) project heads
Average Salary
$95,000 – $130,000/year
Exam Details
- Duration: 2 hours
- Questions: 125 multiple-choice
- Cost: ~$495
Step-by-Step: How Maintenance Project Managers Get CRL
- Study Uptime Elements Framework
- Read “Uptime Elements” and “Reliability Leadership” books
- Optional Training
- Take CRL workshops by ReliabilityWeb or their licensed partners
- Apply and Schedule Exam
- Can be done online or at public training sessions
- Pass the Exam
- Must score ~70% or higher
- Maintain Certification
- Continuing education recommended but no formal recertification yet
📌 Official Link: https://www.reliabilityweb.com
Which Certification Should Maintenance Project Managers Choose?
| Your Goal | Recommended Certification |
|---|---|
| Lead major projects | PMP |
| Improve asset uptime | CMRP or CRL |
| Manage buildings or facilities | CFM |
| Streamline maintenance workflows | Lean Six Sigma |
| Transition to leadership | PMP or CRL |
🛠 Bonus Tip: Combine Your Certification With Tools
I would recommend for Maintenance Project Managers to pair their certification with hands-on tools like:
- CMMS systems (UpKeep, Fiix)
- Project software (ClickUp, MS Project, Notion)
- Data analytics (Power BI, Excel, Tableau)
Conclusion
Whether you’re managing factory overhauls, HVAC retrofits, or plant-wide CMMS rollouts, certifications give you the authority, skills, and compensation to lead with confidence.
Ready to grow your maintenance career?
Start your certification journey today and combine it with powerful tools like Upkeep
FAQ
Do these certifications expire or need renewal?
Yes. Most require continuing education or re-certification:
PMP: 60 PDUs every 3 years
CMRP: 50 hours every 3 years
CFM: 120 renewal points every 3 years
Lean Six Sigma: Depends on provider
CRL: No formal expiry, but recertification is encouraged as best practice
Will my employer pay for these certifications?
Many organizations include certification fees, exam prep, and study time as part of professional development programs. Ask HR or your manager—especially if the skills align with company goals.
Are there any free or low-cost alternatives to get started with project management in maintenance?
Yes. You can start with:
Free Coursera or edX courses (with optional paid certificates)
PMI’s free introductory resources
Maintenance-focused YouTube tutorials
Open-source CMMS systems for hands-on practice
These can help you decide which formal certification to pursue later.
Are there certifications that focus more on hands-on maintenance than on theory?
Yes. CMRP and CRL are more focused on real-world reliability and maintenance strategies than abstract project theories. They’re better suited for professionals working directly with assets, CMMS, and teams on the shop floor.