The International Project Management Association (IPMA) is a federation of around 70-member associations across the globe which provides qualification standards for individuals working in project, programme and portfolio management.
IPMA training and certification
IPMA qualifications are internationally recognised and designed for project professionals at all levels in their careers. APMG is working in partnership with APM to offer the IPMA qualifications.
APM is the IPMA membership body in the UK, with the IPMA qualifications being offered through APMG.
IPMA qualifications are available as Project, Programme and Portfolio Management for Levels A and B only and as Project Management for Levels C and D only.
LEVEL A
IPMA® Level A: Certified Project Director, Certified Programme Director and Certified Portfolio Director.
These qualifications are designed for experienced project professionals who can demonstrate an ability to manage complex projects, programmes or portfolios at a strategic level.
LEVEL B
IPMA® Level B: Certified Senior Project Manager, Certified Senior Programme Manager and Certified Senior Portfolio Manager.
These qualifications are designed for experienced project professionals who can demonstrate an ability to manage complex projects, programmes or portfolios.
LEVEL C
IPMA® Level C: Certified Project Manager.
The IPMA Level C qualification is designed for relatively experienced project professionals who can demonstrate an ability to manage moderately complex projects.
LEVEL D
IPMA® Level D: Project Management Associate.
The IPMA Level D qualification is designed for people looking to progress in their project management career.
See below for further information on each level.
IPMA LEVEL A
IPMA® Level A: Certified Project Director, Certified Programme Director and Certified Portfolio...
IPMA® Level A: Certified Project Director, Certified Programme Director and Certified Portfolio Director. These qualifications are designed for experienced project professionals who can demonstrate an ability to manage complex projects, programmes or portfolios at a strategic level.
Individuals with a minimum of five years’ experience as a project, programme or portfolio manager in a responsible leadership function in very complex projects, of which at least three years were at a strategic level.
All evidence for Level A must have been obtained within the last 12 years.
STAGE ONE:
- STEP 1: Firstly, you will need to submit a CV for initial certification which includes personal details, career history, qualifications, training, professional memberships and any other relevant professional development.
- STEP 2: In addition, you must submit an Executive Summary Report of a maximum 15 pages, self-assessment form, complexity indicator evaluation and two referees who are familiar with your work.
STAGE TWO:
STEP 1: You will need to submit a 25-page report which focuses on the projects, programmes and portfolios which have been referred to in your Executive Summary Report. This report focuses on the application of your leadership of others, using the competence elements being assessed in the report.
STEP 2: Once submitted you will partake in a 120-minute extended interview which will cover 12 competence elements. There is an opportunity to evidence the competence elements which may have not been sufficiently covered previously.
STEP 3: A final evaluation will be undertaken by the assessor to determine if you have demonstrated sufficient knowledge, skills and abilities in a project, programme or portfolio management context and the relevant level of competence. You will receive a feedback report which will indicate whether the required standard has been met or if you are deemed not yet competent. If you are deemed as not yet competent, the feedback will highlight areas of development that can be addressed prior to a potential re-entry.
You will be assessed on 28 competences for project management via a report and an interview. To pass, you must evidence a minimum of 23 out of 28 competence elements.
For portfolio and programme management, you will be assessed on 29 competences. To pass, you must evidence a minimum of 24 out of 29 competence elements.
- IPMA® Level A: Certified Portfolio Director
- IPMA® Level A: Certified Programme Director
- IPMA® Level A: Certified Project Director
- You can self-study for this qualification and apply directly to us by completing an application form.
- You can apply and study for this qualification through one of our accredited training providers.
- The application process begins with reviewing the evidence and candidate guidance notes and other supporting information on our website. The application forms can then be completed and submitted to us via email.
Novare Consulting Ltd provide accredited training for IPMA Level A. Please visit their website for more information.
Stage 1
- Application form
- Reference declaration
- Executive Summary Report - Portfolio management
- Executive Summary Report - Programme management
- Executive Summary Report - Project management
- Management Complexity Indicator form
- Portfolio Director - Applicant Self Assessment form
- Programme Director - Applicant Self Assessment form
- Project Director - Applicant Self Assessment form
Stage 2
- Application form
- CPD Log
- Reference declaration
IPMA LEVEL B
IPMA® Level B: Certified Senior Project Manager, Certified Senior Programme Manager and Certified...
Individuals with a minimum of five years’ experience as a project, programme or portfolio manager of which at least three years were in a responsible leadership function in managing complex projects.
The experience must have been obtained within the last eight years, however the evidence timescale may be extended by four years with justification.
STAGE ONE:
- STEP 1: Firstly, you will need to submit a CV for initial certification which includes personal details, career history, qualifications, training, professional memberships and any other relevant professional development.
- STEP 2: In addition, you must submit an Executive Summary Report of a maximum 15 pages, self-assessment form, complexity indicator evaluation and two referees who are familiar with your work.
STAGE TWO:
- STEP 1: You will need to submit a 25-page report which focuses on the projects, programmes and portfolios which have been referred to in your Executive Summary Report. This report focuses on the application of your leadership of others, using the competence elements being assessed in the report.
- STEP 2: Once submitted you will take a 90-minute oral exam which will ask open questions and be focused on testing your ability to apply knowledge.
- STEP 3: Finally, you will partake in a 120-minute extended interview which relates six competences. This is also an opportunity to evidence the competence elements which may have not been sufficiently covered previously.
- STEP 4: A final evaluation will be undertaken by the assessor to determine if you have demonstrated sufficient knowledge, skills and abilities in a project, programme or portfolio management context and the relevant level of competence. You will receive a feedback report which will indicate whether the required standard has been met or whether you are deemed not yet competent. If you are deemed as not yet competent, the feedback will highlight areas of development that can be addressed prior to a potential re-entry.
For project management you will be assessed on 28 competences via an oral exam, a report and an interview. To pass, you must evidence a minimum of 23 out of 28 competence elements.
For programme and portfolio management you will be assessed on 29 competences via an oral exam, a report and an interview. To pass, you must evidence a minimum of 24 out of 29 competence elements.
- You can apply and study for this qualification through one of our accredited training providers.
- You can also self-study for this qualification and apply directly to us by completing an application form.
- The application process begins with reviewing the evidence and candidate guidance notes and the other supporting information on our website. The application forms can then be completed and submitted to us via email.
Novare Consulting Ltd provide accredited training for IPMA Level B. Please visit their website for more information.
Stage 1
- Application form
- Reference declaration
- Executive Summary Report - Portfolio management
- Executive Summary Report - Programme management
- Executive Summary Report - Project management
- Management Complexity Indicator form
- Senior Portfolio Manager - Applicant Self Assessment form
- Senior Programme Manager - Applicant Self Assessment form
- Senior Project Manager - Applicant Self Assessment form
Stage 2
- Application form
- CPD Log
- Reference declaration
IPMA LEVEL C
IPMA® Level C: Certified Project Manager.
IPMA® Level C: Certified Project Manager.
This qualification is designed for relatively experienced project professionals who can demonstrate an ability to manage moderately complex projects.
Individuals with a minimum of three years’ experience as a project manager within projects of a moderate complexity.
Or
Individuals with a minimum of three years’ experience in a responsible project management role assisting the project manager in complex projects.
All experience must have been acquired within the last six years. The evidence timescale can be extended by four years with justification.
STAGE ONE:
- Step 1: Firstly, you will need to submit a CV for initial certification which includes personal details, career history, qualifications, training, professional memberships and any other relevant professional development.
- Step 2: In addition, you must submit an Executive Summary Report of a maximum 15 pages, self-assessment form, complexity indicator evaluation and two referees who are familiar with your work.
STAGE TWO:
- Step 1: You will submit a 25-page report which focuses on the projects which have been referred to in the Executive Summary Report.
- Step 2: You will then take part in a two-hour written exam which will ask short answer questions and will focus on your ability to apply knowledge.
- Step 3: If successful, you will then partake in a 90-minute extended interview which relates to specific competence elements. There is also an opportunity to evidence the competence elements which may have not been sufficiently covered previously.
- Step 4: A final evaluation will be undertaken by the assessor to determine if you have demonstrated sufficient knowledge, skills and abilities in a project management context and the relevant level of competence. You will receive a feedback report which will indicate whether the required standard has been met or whether you are deemed not yet competent. If you are deemed as not yet competent, the feedback will highlight areas of development that can be addressed prior to a potential re-entry.
You will be assessed on 28 competences for project management via an exam, a report and an interview. To pass, you must evidence a minimum of 23 out of 28 competences.
The exam will cover seven competence elements, the report will cover 17 and the interview will cover four.
- You can apply and study for this qualification through one of our accredited training providers.
- You can also self-study for this qualification and apply directly to us by completing an application form.
- The application process begins with reviewing the candidate guidance notes and other supporting information on our website. The application forms can then be completed and submitted to us via email.
Novare Consulting Ltd provide accredited training for IPMA Level C. Please visit their website for more information.
Stage 1
- Application form
- Reference declaration
- Executive Summary Report - Project management
- Management Complexity Indicator form
- Project Manager - Applicant Self Assessment form
Stage 2
- Full report template – Project management
- Application form
- CPD Log
- Reference declaration
IPMA LEVEL D
IPMA® Level D: Project Management Associate.
IPMA® Level D: Project Management Associate.
These qualifications are designed for people looking to progress in their project management career.
This qualification is aimed at individuals looking to broaden their knowledge in project management. No previous experience is required for this level.
- Stage One: Firstly, you will need to submit your completed application form and self-assessment form.
- Stage Two: In stage two you will need to complete a one-hour exam answering multiple-choice questions covering 50% of the syllabus through 60 questions and a two-hour examination via 14 short written answers, with 12 having to be answered.
- This qualification can be studied for via one of our accredited training providers - see below.
- You can also self-study for this qualification through us directly by applying for an online examination.
- The application process begins with reviewing the candidate guidance notes. You can then apply for an open examination directly through us.
You have six months to re-certify after your certification has expired. Certification lasts five years.
This can be done directly via APMG through evidencing a minimum of 35 hours of CPD per year (since the last certification or re-certification).
- Application form
- CPD log
