Qualifications

Built around competence,
not just knowledge.

Nine qualifications across three pathways. Every IPP qualification combines formal assessment with real evidence of project practice. The result is a credential that tells an employer something meaningful.

The full framework

Three pathways. Nine qualifications.

Each pathway has three levels: Award, Foundation Certificate, and Practitioner Certificate. Every qualification maps to an IPP membership tier. A Fellow is a Fellow regardless of which pathway they qualified through.

Project Management
APME
Award in Project Management Essentials
Candidate
FCPM
Foundation Certificate in Project Management
Associate (AIPP)
PCPM
Practitioner Certificate in Project Management
Member (MIPP)
Agile
AAE
Award in Agile Essentials
Candidate
FCAPM
Foundation Certificate in Agile PM
Associate (AIPP)
PCAPM
Practitioner Certificate in Agile PM
Member (MIPP)
Business Change
ABCA
Award in Business Change Awareness
Candidate
FCBC
Foundation Certificate in Business Change
Associate (AIPP)
PCBC
Practitioner Certificate in Business Change
Member (MIPP)

FCPM launches 2026. All other qualifications are 2027 scope. Fellow (FIPP) is conferred by panel assessment on top of the Practitioner Certificate and senior experience, not by a separate exam. ChIPP Chartered status is a separate professional designation, available to Members and Fellows from 2028, subject to IPP achieving Royal Charter status.

Qualification detail

Explore by pathway

Select a pathway to see the full qualification set, assessment format, and fees.

APME Award level

Award in Project Management Essentials

The awareness-level entry point. Covers the core concepts of project management without the full technical depth of the Foundation Certificate. Ideal for those new to the discipline or professionals who work alongside projects.

Format
25 MCQ, 40 minutes
Pass mark
65% — published
Sat as
Candidate
Join free and start learning ›

Assessment fee

£45
Per sitting and resit. 50% for verified NUS or military.
IPP entry award

FCPM Foundation level

Foundation Certificate in Project Management

The primary entry point into professional membership. Covers all 8 IPP competency areas at Foundation level. Delivered on demand via Activate — no exam centre, no booking window. Scenario questions make up at least 30% of the paper.

Format
40 MCQ, 60 minutes
Pass mark
70% — published
Sat as
Associate (AIPP)
Start this qualification ›

Assessment fee

£95
Per sitting and resit. 50% for verified NUS or military.
Broadly equivalent to APM PFQ, CAPM

PCPM Practitioner level 2027

Practitioner Certificate in Project Management

For project practitioners with at least 12 months of active delivery experience. Combines a written assessment with a Calibrate evidence portfolio. Two assessors review independently. A third moderates. The rigour is genuine.

Written paper
90 min, 2 scenarios
Portfolio
6 of 8 competency areas
Sat as
Member (MIPP)
Available from 2027 — join now to be first in line

Assessment fee

£150
Per sitting and resit. Reviewed within 15 working days.
Broadly equivalent to APM PMQ, PMP

AAE Award level 2027

Award in Agile Essentials

Awareness-level qualification covering core agile concepts: Scrum, Kanban, iterative delivery, sprint ceremonies, and the agile mindset. Entry point for those exploring the Agile pathway or working alongside agile teams.

Format
25 MCQ, 40 minutes
Pass mark
65% — published
Sat as
Candidate
Available from 2027 — join now to be first in line

Assessment fee

£45
Per sitting and resit. 50% for verified NUS or military.
Available from 2027

FCAPM Foundation level 2027

Foundation Certificate in Agile Project Management

Agile frameworks and practices applied to project and product delivery. Scrum, Kanban, SAFe, and hybrid delivery. For Scrum Masters and agile practitioners who want a structured, evidence-based credential.

Format
40 MCQ, 60 minutes
Pass mark
70% — published
Sat as
Associate (AIPP)
Available from 2027 — join now to be first in line

Assessment fee

£95
Per sitting and resit. 50% for verified NUS or military.
Available from 2027

PCAPM Practitioner level 2027

Practitioner Certificate in Agile Project Management

Applied agile competence with documented delivery experience. Written assessment and Calibrate portfolio covering agile-specific competency areas. Minimum 12 months leading agile delivery required.

Written paper
90 min, 2 scenarios
Portfolio
Agile competency areas
Sat as
Member (MIPP)
Available from 2027 — join now to be first in line

Assessment fee

£150
Per sitting and resit
Available from 2027

ABCA Award level 2027

Award in Business Change Awareness

Awareness-level qualification covering change management models, stakeholder engagement, benefits realisation, and the change manager's role. Entry point for business analysts, project managers involved in change programmes, or those exploring the pathway.

Format
25 MCQ, 40 minutes
Pass mark
65% — published
Sat as
Candidate
Available from 2027 — join now to be first in line

Assessment fee

£45
Per sitting and resit. 50% for verified NUS or military.
Available from 2027

FCBC Foundation level 2027

Foundation Certificate in Business Change

Organisational change, benefits realisation, and stakeholder-led delivery. For change managers and business analysts working on programmes and strategic initiatives who want a recognised, structured credential.

Format
40 MCQ, 60 minutes
Pass mark
70% — published
Sat as
Associate (AIPP)
Available from 2027 — join now to be first in line

Assessment fee

£95
Per sitting and resit. 50% for verified NUS or military.
Available from 2027

PCBC Practitioner level 2027

Practitioner Certificate in Business Change

Applied business change competence with documented experience. Written assessment and Calibrate portfolio covering change-specific competency areas including stakeholder engagement, benefits management, and transformation delivery.

Written paper
90 min, 2 scenarios
Portfolio
Change competency areas
Sat as
Member (MIPP)
Available from 2027 — join now to be first in line

Assessment fee

£150
Per sitting and resit
Available from 2027

Equivalence

How IPP qualifications relate to others.

A transparent comparison. No criticism of other frameworks. Equivalences are indicative, based on level and scope. They do not represent formal mutual recognition arrangements.

IPP seeks mutual recognition with established bodies from year three onwards, once our own credibility is established through rigorous standards and growing member recognition.

IPP levelAPMPMI
AwardNo direct equivalentNo direct equivalent
Foundation CertificateAPM PFQCAPM
Practitioner CertificateAPM PMQPMP

A separate track — coming 2028

ChIPP — Chartered status, independent of Fellowship

ChIPP is not the next step after FIPP. It is a separate professional designation, assessed on competence — open to both Members (MIPP) and Fellows (FIPP). You do not need to be a Fellow to apply for Chartered status. Fellowship recognises contribution to the profession. Chartered status recognises proven professional competence. They are different things.

IPP is working toward Royal Charter status. ChIPP will be formally conferred once that process is complete. Members who join now and progress through the framework will be the first cohort eligible to apply when it opens in 2028.

Indicative requirements: MIPP or FIPP active for 3 or more years, 7 to 10 years senior experience, panel review by IPP assessors, peer endorsement from two existing Members or Fellows.