WHAT Certification Level Is Right for You?
IPMA-USA's advanced, performance-based certifications are for experienced project, program, and portfolio managers.
The information on this page should help you determine which level of certification in IPMA's Four Level Certification (4-L-C) System is right for you:
- The IPMA Levels (see below)
- Evaluating the Management Complexity of your Project, Program, or Portfolio
- Certification Fee Schedule
- What Makes IPMA's Certifications Stand Out?
- Complete and submit our Candidate Pre-Screen for a FREE preliminary evaluation. Download it here: Application for Initial Assessment.
Use the table below to help answer the question, What IPMA Certification is right for you? Click any certification (e.g.: IPMA Level A®) to learn more about that level.
What Certification Level? |
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| If you are … | Consider … | Prerequisites | Typical job titles |
| An experienced senior manager in a project-oriented enterprise, a program manager, or a manager of project managers | Certified Project, Program, or Portfolio Director, IPMA Level A® |
3 years managing high-complexity programs, and 2 years managing moderate-to-high complexity programs, and 2 years managing moderate-to-high complexity projects | Vice President, Client Manager, Operations VP, Senior Program Manager, Program Manager |
| An experienced senior project, program, or portfolio manager | Certified Senior Project, Program, or Portfolio Manager, IPMA Level B® |
3 years managing high-complexity projects, and 2 years managing moderate-to-high complexity projects | Senior Project Manager, Project Manager, PMO Consultant |
| An experienced project manager | Certified Project Manager, IPMA Level C® | 3 years managing moderate complexity projects | Project Manager, Project Lead, Deputy PM, Technical Lead |
| A project team member, a project specialist, someone new to projects or project management, a recent graduate, a newcomer to the discipline, or a practitioner in a PM-related discipline such as Architect, Engineer, Business Analyst, or Software Developer | Certified Project Management Associate, IPMA Level D® | 6 months project work recommended | Team member, Junior PM, Technical Specialist, Scheduler, Team Leader, Project Engineer, Architect, Proposal Manager, Business Development Manager, Contract Manager |
| A holder of an existing IPMA certification that is expiring (IPMA certifications are valid for five years) | Recertification | See our Recertification Requirements and Process | As appropriate for your existing certification level |
Note that the IPMA Level D® certification is specifically oriented towards three audiences:
* Those who are beginning a career in projects and project management
* Those who work on projects as team members or Subject Matter Experts
* Those who need to cope with the challenges of organizational change
These audiences range from students to top executives.