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IPMA Level A

Certified project director

  • The IPMA Level A (Director) project management certificate requires the candidate to have led and directed highly complex project environments with significant strategic impact on the organization. This level is designed for professionals who demonstrate advanced competencies in governing portfolios, programs, and strategic initiatives. Candidates must validate their expertise through a rigorous assessment of their knowledge, leadership skills, and ability to apply them effectively in real-world scenarios.
  • In the last 12 years, the candidate must have at least five years of experience as a project manager in the responsible position of managing complex projects, of whichat least three years at the strategic level.

Application procedure

  • The candidate should submit their CV, certification application form, summary of the project report, self-assessment form, references, and management complexity assessment form. For submission details, please refer to the Contact page.
  • After determining the admissibility of the application, the certification body invites the candidate to pay the certification fees or provide proof of the payment already made.
  • Upon confirmation of payment, the candidate is given the task of preparing a report based on a project determined by the certification body from those described in the summary. The report must be prepared and submitted in electronic form within a maximum period of 120 calendar days from the date the task was issued. For submission instructions, please refer to the Contact page.
  • The certification body will evaluate the report in which the candidate must demonstrate satisfactory evidence in 80% of the competence elements within the project/portfolio management domain according to ICB4, defined for strategic projects in a highly complex environment. This step concludes with a final interview.
  • After the interview, the certification body makes a final assessment, and upon a positive outcome, the candidate is issued an IPMA Level A certificate.

Documents that the candidate should study when applying for certification of competencies and issuance of IPMA certificates:

  • Individual Competence Baseline for Project, Programme and Portfolio Management (book 1) is an IPMA standard in which project management competencies are defined and described. The book contains basic material for exam preparation.
  • Individual Competence Baseline for Portfolio Management is an IPMA standard that defines and describes competencies in portfolio management.
  • IPMA ICR4 Public – a document in which the procedure of IPMA certification is explained to the candidates and the general public.
  • IPMA Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct – a document explaining ethical and professional principles, agreed to by each candidate applying for certification.
  • Instructions for candidates before the exam.

Documents submitted by candidates when applying for certification:

  • CV
  • Certification and recertification application form – includes all the necessary personal data so that the certification body can identify the candidate, process the required data, and make a decision on access to the certification process.
  • Self-assessment – a form by which the candidate conducts their own assessment of competencies in knowledge, skills, and abilities.
  • Summary of the project report – The report can be a maximum of 15 pages and includes: (submitted only if the candidate accesses the “Project” domain.)
    • organization (details of the company, industry, types of projects, main objectives of the company, and the business unit in which the applicant works);
    • a one-page summary for each project with related timelines, phases, and available resources;
    • the role of the applicant (organizational chart with established position, area of responsibility, review of project management procedures used, and relationship with internal and external stakeholders);
    • how the candidate led the project and how they meet the complexity criteria for the level applied for.
  • Summary of the portfolio report – The report should be between 20 and 30 pages, with an additional 10 to 20 pages of appendices (submitted only if the candidate accesses the “Portfolio” domain.)
    • organization (details of the company, industry, types of projects, main objectives of the company, and the business unit in which the applicant works);
    • a one-page summary for each portfolio with related timelines, phases, and available resources;
    • the role of the applicant (organizational chart with established position, area of responsibility, review of project management procedures used, and relationship with internal and external stakeholders);
    • how the candidate has managed the portfolio and how they meet the complexity criteria for the level applied for.
  • References for verification – For Level A, the applicant should provide the names and contact details of at least two people to verify their eligibility in relation to the level and domain of certification.
  • Assessment of management complexity – the form is used by candidates and assessors to assess the complexity of project management and to qualify experience. The form contains ten indicators of complexity, each described in detail within the document.

Documents that applicants fill out after the exam:

  • Feedback Form – used to gather information on how satisfied candidates are with the certification process in order to further improve it.
  • Complaint Form and Appeal Form – formal documents used by candidates to raise issues or appeal procedures related to results or circumstances they are dissatisfied with, or believe do not comply with IPMA or certification body regulations. More details are provided in the Guidelines for Complaints and Appeals.
  • Full payment is required prior to assessment scheduling.
  • Certification fees are non-refundable once assessment review has commenced.
  • Postponements and retakes are subject to the above administrative fees.

Price

Member Price: SAR 6,000

Non Member : SAR 7,500

Recertification (Renewal) Fees

Level A

Member: SAR 5,238

Non Member: SAR 6,547

Level B

Member: SAR 3,609

Non Member: SAR 4,511

Level C

Member: SAR 1,996

Non Member: SAR 2,495

Level D

Member: SAR 786

Non Member: SAR 983

Level Upgrade Fees

Level D → C

Member: SAR 1,728

Non Member: SAR 2,160

Level C → B

Member: SAR 2,304

Non Member: SAR 2,880

Administrative & Appeals Fees

Exam Retake

Member: SAR 448

Non Member: SAR 560

Postponement

Member: SAR 172

Non Member: SAR 216

Appeal Fee

Member: SAR 230

Non Member: SAR 288

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