APM Practitioner Qualification (PQ)

Who is the APM Practitioner Qualification for?

APM, the Chartered body for the project profession, has created the Practitioner Qualification (PQ) for relatively experienced professionals (project management practitioners) who can demonstrate an ability to manage a non-complex project. You should typically have at least three years' experience and hold either the PMQ qualification or demonstrate a good understanding of the APM Body of Knowledge with relevant Continuing Professional Development.

The Practitioner Qualification (IPMA Level C) is recognised internationally through our association with the International Project Management Authority (IPMA).

What is assessed?

You will be assessed against 30 criteria and need to demonstrate that you can:

Understand project context and the overall business case;
effectively apply project management planning;
apply a risk management process competently to the project;
optimise project plans to respond to a major change;
monitor project progress and take suitable controlling action;
plan and conduct a suitable post project evaluation review;
work effectively as a team member.

How is it assessed?

Qualification is achieved through a residential assessment focusing on:

Individual work: You will be expected to answer written questions based on a case study and answer a question regarding current issues in project management.
Group work: Working in groups you will be observed discussing and solving problems related to the case study.
Interview: Candidates will be interviewed by their assessors.

Full details can be found in the PQ candidate guidance notes.

There are two-day preparation workshops available from our Accredited Training Providers which will provide information on pre-requisites and allow delegates to participate in activities similar to those by which they will be assessed.

Those with the APM Practitioner Qualification (PQ) are eligible to become Full members of APM, the Chartered body for the project profession. Existing Associate members will be automatically upgraded to Full members, allowing them to use the post-nominals 'MAPM' after their name.

Non-members who pass the PQ are eligible to apply for Full membership without further assessment.

The APM Practitioner Qualification is available through our Accredited Training Providers. There is no specific programme of study as it is based upon performance during the assessment. Preparation workshops are available through our Accredited Training Providers.

PQ Events

6-8 March 2017 - Reading - Provek
27-29 March 2017 -Birmingham - QA
24-26 April 2017– Manchester -  20|20
8-10 May 2017 – West Cumbria -  20|20
15-17 May 2017 – Birmingham - QA
5-7 June 2017 – Aberdeen -  20|20
5-7 June 2017 - Reading - Provek
17-19 July 2017 – Birmingham - QA
4-6 September 2017 - Reading - Provek
11-13 September 2017 – Birmingham - QA
18-20 October 2017 – Manchester -  20|20
22-24 November 2017 – West Cumbria -  20|20
4-6 December 2017 - Reading - Provek

APM Practitioner Qualification criteria

All assessment criteria shown are important and contribute to the pass/fail decision for each candidate. However, the APM Practitioner Qualification will not be awarded to candidates who do not demonstrate at least a basic/partial capability in the assessment criteria shown in bold.

Demonstrate an understanding of project context and the overall business case.
Demonstrate a comprehensive application of project management planning.
Apply a risk management process competently to the project.
Optimise project plans to respond to a major change.
Demonstrate an ability to monitor project progress and take suitable controlling action.
Plan and conduct a suitable post project evaluation review.
Work effectively as a team member.

Determine stakeholders and their influence and interests.
Design the optimal project organisation.
Analyse and understand project success criteria and business benefits.
Analyse and understand project constraints and dependences.
Identify project risks and assumptions.
Identify project issues.
Define the scope of the project.
Apply a quality management process competently to the project.
Demonstrate an ability to incorporate best value approaches.
Demonstrate an awareness of generic legal and contractual issues.
Prepare for a negotiation with a supplier of critical services for the project.
Analyse conflict situations and apply an appropriate style to resolve the issue.
Objectively reflect on the performance of self and other team members.
Present information clearly and factually.
Answer questions relevantly and succinctly.
Apply effective change control and configuration management.
Balance conflicting stakeholder expectations.
Objectively identify lessons to be learned separating causes from effects.
Communicate succinctly in writing.
Lead and influence a small team.
Communicate verbally in an appropriate way (including listening).
Obtain information through use of appropriate questions.
Present compelling recommendations to project sponsor (board/steering group).

Find A Course

Study with one of our Accredited Training Providers who offer the certificates in many different formats including classroom, online, CD, public and in-house courses.

1. Where to study

2. How to study

Click on one of the providers below.