IPMA level B programme management

The IPMA B programme management course is intended for the experienced programme manager. With an IPMA B certificate, you demonstrate that you are able to independently manage complex programmes.

Eligibility criteria

To be eligible for IPMA level B programme, you must demonstrate sufficient experience with sufficiently complex projects. This concerns the totals of all projects that count for that level. The minimum experience requirement is:

At least 60 non-overlapping months of experience as programme manager in the last 8 years, of which at least 36 months at IPMA level B (complexity score  ≥ 25). The rest is allowed at IPMA level C (complexity score  ≥ 16).

You describe as many programmes as needed in order to demonstrate that you meet this experience requirement. There is room to describe three programmes. But if, for example, you only need two projects to meet this experience requirement, you may leave the rest empty.

You may not be able to demonstrate sufficient months of experience in the last 6 (level C) or 8 (level B) years, for example because you temporarily held a different position. However, you can compensate by demonstrating that have gained sufficient experience in the period before that.
In such cases, it may be possible to count experience from 9 to 12 years ago in order to meet the experience requirements.

Programme indicators

An indication of the expected minimum size of a ‘typical’ level B programme is given below. However, these are not minimum requirements: the figures are indicative and their interpretation varies from sector to sector.

A detailed description of the admission requirements and complexity can be found in the Explanatory Note and Instructions. The templates, instruction and sample papers are available on request.

For course components, costs and trainers, please visit the general IPMA level B page.