Requirements of the certification processes by levels
IPMA Level A; Certified Projects Director
Entry requirements:
- Shall have at least five years of experience in portfolio management and/or programme management with strategic relevance, of which three years were in responsible leadership functions in the management of complex portfolios or programmes and has two years of experience in managing projects.
Core competence:
- Shall be able to manage complex portfolios or programmes.
Additional requirements:
- Is responsible for the management of a complex portfolio of a company / organisation or a branch of the organisation, or for the management of one or more important programmes.
- Contributes to strategy and makes proposals to senior management. Develops project management personnel and coaches project managers to improve their competence in PM.
- Directs project managers of a portfolio or programme and manages project management specialists nominated to the portfolio or program.
- Develops and implements project management requirements, culture, processes, methods, techniques, tools, handbooks, guidelines for his programme or portfolio.
For the IPMA Level A certification process the applicant must have a complex reference portfolio / program, in which the applicant has been the accountable portfolio / program manager. In case the applicant proposes a reference program, the program must be finished (not more than two years ago) to enable estimating the applicant’s role in the overall success of the program. The reference portfolio / program must be sufficiently complex to be accepted as a reference portfolio / program for IPMA Level A certification process.
IPMA Level B; Certified Senior Project Manager
Entry requirement:
- Shall have at least five years of project management experience, of which three years were in responsible leadership functions complex projects.
Core competence:
- Shall be able to manage complex projects.
Additional requirements:
- Is responsible for all project management competence elements of a complex project.
- Has a general management role in a large project management team and leads sub-project managers.
- Uses adequate project management processes, methods, techniques and tools.
For the IPMA Level B certification process the applicant must have a complex reference project, in which the applicant has been the accountable project manager. The reference project must be finished (not more than two years ago) to enable estimating the applicant’s role in the overall success of the project. The reference project must be sufficiently complex to be accepted as a reference project for IPMA Level B certification process.
IPMA Level C; Certified Project Manager
Entry requirement
- Shall have at least three years of project management experience in responsible leadership functions of projects with limited complexity.
Core competence:
- Shall be able to manage projects with limited complexity and/or to manage a subproject of a complex project in all competence elements of project management.
Additional requirements:
- Is responsible for managing a project with limited complexity in all its aspects, or for managing a subproject of a complex project.
- Applies common project management processes, methods, techniques and tools.
IPMA Level D; Certified Project Management
Entry requirement
- Experience in the project management competence elements is not compulsory; but it is an advantage if the Applicant already has applied his project management knowledge to some extent.
Core competence:
- Shall have the knowledge in all competence elements and be able to apply it.
Additional requirements:
- Can practice in any competence element. May work in some fields as a specialist.
- Works as a project team member or a member of the project management staff.
- Has broad project management knowledge and the ability to apply it.
