Need advice? Call: +353 1 6614677 or Contact Us

IPMA Certification

International Project Management Association
Explore Courses
women are calling and writing
man standing and smiling Background ornament

IPMA® Certification

IPMA® (International Project Management Association) was founded in 1965 and is the world’s first professional project management association. It is a Federation of 73 Member Associations from the Americas, Africa, Asia, Australia and Europe.

4 level certification system Background ornament

IPMA® plays a leading role in the development and promotion of the project management profession, providing standards and guidelines for the work of a wide range of project management talent through the IPMA® Competence Baseline (IPMA ICB®). The IPMA® competency-based Four-Level Certification System for programme and project managers is unique in the world and widely recognised for its quality.

woman at work
Benefits of IPMA® Certification
icon50
International peer recognition

of your competence in the project management

icon49
Better career opportunities

on the increasingly demanding job market

icon48
Increase clients trust

in organisation and employee’s capabilities in managing project

IPMA® Certification Levels

The eligibility, certification steps, and role description for each of IPMA Certification Levels.
IPMA Level A® — Certified Project Director
Role Description
  • Acting on a strategic level within a very complex project environment.
  • Responsible for a very complex project which has a strategic impact on the organisation.
Eligibility
  • A minimum of 5 years of experience as a project manager in a responsible leadership function in very complex projects of which at least 3 years were at a strategic level.
  • All experience for Level A must have been obtained within the last 12 years.
Certification Steps
  • Stage 1: Application, CV for initial certification, Executive Summary Report, Self-assessment, Referees
  • Stage 2: Exam
  • Stage 3: Report
  • Stage 4: Interview
  • Stage 5: Final evaluation, Decision
  • Stage 6: Certificate, Feedback, Archiving
IPMA Level B® — Certified Senior Project Manager
Role Description
  • Acting in a complex project environment.
  • Responsible for a complex project programme within an organisation.
Eligibility
  • A minimum of 5 years experience as a project manager of which at least 3 years were in a responsible leadership function managing complex projects.
  • All experience for Level B must have been obtained within the last 8 years. The evidence timescale can be extended by 4 years with justification.
Certification Steps
  • Stage 1: Application, CV for initial certification, Executive Summary Report, Self-assessment, Referees
  • Stage 2: Exam
  • Stage 3: Report
  • Stage 4: Interview
  • Stage 5: Final evaluation, Decision
  • Stage 6: Certificate, Feedback, Archiving
IPMA Level C® — Certified Project Manager
Role Description
  • Acting in a moderate to complex environment.
  • Responsible in a project management role with moderate complexity within an organisation.
Eligibility
  • Minimum of 3 years experience as a project manager within projects of moderate complexity
    OR
    minimum of 3 years experience in a responsible project management role assisting the project manager in complex projects.
  • All experience for Level C must have been obtained within the last 6 years. The evidence timescale can be extended by 4 years with justification.
Certification Steps
  • Stage 1: Application, CV for initial certification, Executive Summary Report, Self-assessment, Referees
  • Stage 2: Exam
  • Stage 3: Interview
  • Stage 4: Final evaluation, Decision
  • Stage 5: Certificate, Feedback, Archiving
IPMA Level D® — Certified Project Manager Associate
Role Description
  • Knowledge in Competence Elements related to project management.
  • Has broad project management knowledge and may work in a project team.
Eligibility
  • No experience required.
Certification Steps
  • Stage 1: Application, CV for initial certification, Self-assessment
  • Stage 2: Exam
  • Stage 3: Final evaluation, Decision
  • Stage 4: Certificate, Feedback, Archiving
man is on the phone Background ornament

IPMA® Recertification

The ongoing educational and professional development of individuals who have attained the IPMA® certification is mandatory.

In order to satisfy the CPD programme and maintain active certification status, one must accrue and report a minimum of 175 Professional Development Units (PDUs) during each five-year certification/CCR cycle. Please see Section 3 of the Certification Handbook for further details.

Download Handbook

IPMA® Certification Fee

New Candidates

Obtain your first IPMA® certification or apply to the next certification level
Become Certified
Re-Certify Now
career woman is smiling at the camera Background ornament

All Information You Need

Download important documents about IPMA® Certification to help you determine which certification is most appropriate for you.

There are lots of students on duty Background ornament

About IPMA Ireland

The mission and purpose of IPMA Ireland (Irish Certification Body) is to implement and maintain the IPMA® 4-Level Certification System in the Republic of Ireland.

The certification system is managed by the IPMA® Certification and Validation Management Board (CVMB). It is applied within each country by the domestic Certification Body (CB), e.g.: IPMA Ireland.

It is based on ISO/IEC 17024:2012 (Conformity Assessment – General requirements for bodies operating certification of persons).

We can work with your organisation to provide IPMA® Certification for your staff and company. Please contact us for further information.

Contact Us
Background ornament Background ornament
female project manager Background ornament Background ornament
Need further information?
Contact Us