Unified Service Management (USM)

USM is a universal methodical approach for service management, providing a standardized management system for a service organization to manage its people, its processes, its technology, and its services, based on an explicit service management architecture. Find out more at https://usm-portal.com/

No, however this is recommended. In addition to receiving accredited training, individuals also have the option of self-study to prepare for the examinations. APMG-International administer public exam sessions around the world to accommodate those who self study.

Training for USM is available from the network of Accredited Training Organizations (ATOs) who are assessed and certified by APMG-International. The full list of USM ATOs can be found at http://www.apmg-international.com. Only these organizations and registered partners/affiliates are authorized to deliver USM training.

Accredited Training Organizations (ATOs) usually include the examination as part of their training course – please check with your ATO before booking.

For those who self-study, the exam can be taken anywhere in the world, from the comfort of your home or workplace, with online proctoring. A proctor will access your exam as you take it to monitor the exam environment through your computer's desktop, webcam and microphone.

Once you have booked an exam, you will be given a registration email to schedule an appointment with your live proctor via our Candidate Portal. Our online proctoring system allows you to take your exam anytime as sessions are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. For more information, please click here: https://apmg-international.com/exams

APMG also administers a limited number of public exam sessions at some of our regional offices. Click here for further information and to book an exam: https://publicexambookings.apmg-international.com/

If you are sitting the examination through an accredited training organization, the cost of the exam is generally included in the course fee but please check with your training provider at the time of booking.

APMG-International use a global pricing structure, so if you are studying at home, the cost is dependent on the country in which the exam is being sat. To find out the cost in your region, please contact the APMG International Service Desk on +44 (0)1494 452450 or at: servicedesk@apmg-international.com

There are no pre-requisites to sit the USM Foundation examinations.

The Core Guidance for the USM Foundation exam is the ‘USM – An Introduction’ manual, which is available at the USM Portal, at Amazon, and through your ATO.

The USM Foundation examination is available in English and Dutch.

The core guidance is available in print and in e-books in English, in Dutch. For Public Education Institutes it is also available in an online format in Spanish.

For individuals self-studying it is almost impossible to say. As all candidates have different experience and amount of time available for study, it varies from person to person. We suggest you buy the manual and have a look through for yourself before deciding how long you need to spend learning.

For those studying with an accredited training organization, the USM Foundation courses are two-days long.  

Summaries of the structure of the USM Foundation examination and the USM Practitioner assessments are below:

USM Foundation

• 60 minute duration
• Multiple choice
• 40 questions
• 26/40 required to pass
• Closed book

USM Professional – divided into four roles

·       USM Trainer

·       USM Coach

·       USM Tool Auditor

·       USM Product Expert

USM Professional – a 3-day training course including the USM Foundation Exam. An elevated exam score of 30 out of 40 is required for access to the Train the Professional courses that are provided by the Scheme Owner.

USM Professional Bridge: a 1-day training course aimed at individuals who have already successfully completed the USM Foundation course and the USM Foundation Exam and wish to transition to a USM Professional role. An elevated exam score of 30 out of 40 is required for successful completion of the USM Professional Bridge course. If the elevated score hasn’t been achieved, a re-take of the exam will be required.

No, the USM Foundation exam is closed book.

Yes, all candidates can access a sample exam paper to practice on via the Candidate Portal. Access to the Candidate Portal is given once you have purchased a self-study exam or your ATO has registered your exam date and time with APMG.

The USM Foundation certification does not expire.

USM Professional roles must be maintained in line with APMG’s and SURVUZ Foundation guidelines.

USM Foundation examinations can be marked at the end of your exam with provisional results provided.

APMG will issue formal notification of your exam result once your exam paper has been received back into our office. All results will be made available in your Candidate Portal.

If you did not take your exam through an ATO, your results will be sent directly to you via the relevant APMG-International office approximately 7-10 days after the date of your exam.

Candidates will be able to claim their digital badge and electronic certificate from their APMG Candidate Portal within two business days of their exam result being issued.

Digital badges allow you to easily showcase your achievements online.

When you pass an exam - you'll instantly have the option to claim a digital badge representing your new certificate.

Your badge can be embedded on an email signature, website, social media or digital CV.

With just one click employers, customers and clients can easily view and verify your credentials and skills.

Please download our digital sharing presentation for more information.

Once you’ve been notified that you’ve passed your exam - you will have the option to create a digital badge in APMG's Candidate Portal.

Visit APMG's Candidate Portal, view your exam results and select 'Create Badge'.

This takes you to the Acclaim by Credly website where the digital badges are hosted. You will be guided through the Acclaim account creation process.

Once you have created an account with Acclaim - login into the account and accept your pending badge.

You can always access all your electronic certificates and badges via the APMG Candidate Portal. Once you have logged on to the Candidate Portal, click on the ‘Badges and Certificates’ option from the menu bar at the top of screen. From here you should click on the ‘Create Badge/Certificate’ button. This will take you to the Credly platform to create and account and download your badge and certificate.

Step-by-step guidance is available to download from the ‘Badges and Certificates’ area in your Candidate Portal.

Electronic certificates are environmentally friendly, but you can print the certificate yourself at home or work, if required.

If you have any problems with accessing your digital certificate, please contact our Customer Interaction Team - servicedesk@apmg-international.com

Pass marks for the USM examinations are as follows:

Foundation: You will need to score 26/40 to pass the foundation exam.

• Candidates progressing to a USM Professional role must pass the foundation exam with an elevated score of 30/40 and successfully complete their assessment.

USM Professional Trainers must hold the USM Professional Trainer certificate for the course that you wish to teach. All trainers must be ‘sponsored’ by an APMG accredited training organization. To find out more about becoming a trainer, please contact your local APMG representative: https://apmg-international.com/contact

An organization wishing to become a USM ATO must first contact our Service Desk. They will put you in touch with your local business development manager who can discuss the accreditation process with you.