How to get certified

The application for certification must include the following documents:

Application documents for "Certified Project Manager" certification

• Application form
• Curriculum vitae

• Application form
• Curriculum vitae
• Project management experience
  (List and descriptions of between one and five projects in which the applicant was project manager or held a key management function)

Application documents for "Certified Scrum Manager" certification

• Application form
• Curriculum vitae

All forms have to be filled in on the IAPM website. Applications by surface mail are not possible. After receipt of the documentation, the IAPM will check the documents for completeness and establish whether the applicant satisfies the admission requirements.

If an application for "Certified Senior Project Manager (IAPM)" certification is submitted and the documents do not support the application, the candidate will be notified accordingly. The IAPM’s decision is final. A new application can be submitted once the applicant has gained additional project management experience which meets the IAPM's requirements. If the candidate does not have the "Certified Project Manager (IAPM)" certificate, the IAPM will recommend that this certification is applied for.

The IAPM provides candidates with three optional examinations to maximise their chances of success: Basic Examination, Interim Examination and Certification Examination.

The basic examination and the certification examination can be taken online at the IAPM website from any personal computer. However the interim examination can only be taken by participants of a course provided by an IAPM-licensed trainer or training partner. The trainer will advise you whether it is recommendable to take the interim examination or the certification examination. Certification examination candidates must be approved by the IAPM.

This approval is contingent on the application process. There is no requirement to take a course with an IAPM-licensed trainer or training partner to take the examination. However, participation in a preparatory course is strongly recommended.

There is a basic examination on the IAPM’s website so that candidates can gain an idea of the types and level of difficulty of the questions that may be asked. To

take the examination, simply go to this page follow the instructions.

The interim examination can only be taken by candidates who have registered for training with an IAPM- licensed trainer or training partner.

A list of certified training providers is published on the IAPM website.

Once a candidate has been approved by the IAPM, the examination can be taken without any further requirements on a personal computer of the candidate's choice. Before the examination, the candidate must fill out and sign an affirmation in lieu of oath that he or she

is taking the examination without assistance or aids such as books or computers. The examination questions cover all the IAPM competence elements as set out the PM Guide. They are randomised and taken from a comprehensive catalogue of questions.

In order to pass the examination, "Certified Project Manager (IAPM)" certification candidates must answer 50 % of the questions correctly and "Certified Senior Project Manager (IAPM)" candidates

must answer 60 % of the questions correctly. The examination score is calculated automatically straight after the examination and the candidate is notified of the result electronically.

Candidates may re-take the examination once at the time of their choice. If they fail the examination a second time, there is a mandatory waiting period of 12 months before the examination can be taken again. If

the candidate also fails this second re-take, he or she will be disqualified from taking any further certification examinations. The examination fee is payable in each case.

Participation in a course is mandatory for this certification. These courses can only be provided by trainers or training partners who are licensed by the IAPM. Information about IAPM-licensed trainers or training partners can be found on the IAPM website. The courses provide the knowledge and competences

which are necessary to obtain the Certified Project Management Trainer (IAPM) certificate. The examination and a detailed assessment are held during the course. No computer-based examination for this certificate is available.