FAQ

All important information about your certification process can be found in the level-specific guides for the domains of project, programme and portfolio management. The documents can be found under Application documents. 

The duration of the certification process depends on the desired level and the associated certification steps. In addition, your individual preparation and participation in a preparatory course will influence the duration.

Please note:
From the date of admission, the process may take a maximum of 18 months. If this period is exceeded, the process will automatically end. After several years without completing certification, the process will be treated as an initial certification – steps already completed cannot be credited. 

Regardless of which domain and level you choose, you must submit your application documents, consisting of, for example, proof of performance for certification application F01, legal declaration F01RE and ESR, when registering for certification.

Further information on the necessary application documents can be found in the level-specific guidelines for the domains of project, programme and portfolio management.

Submissions are made via the certification portal.   

Please note the submission deadlines for your application documents and reports:

Level D:

Application documents: no later than 4 weeks before the examination date

Report: no later than 2 weeks before the examination date

Level C and Level B:

Application documents: no later than 9 weeks before the first examination day

Report: no later than 4 weeks before the first examination day

Level A:

Application documents: no later than twelve weeks before the first examination day

Report: no later than six weeks before the first examination day  

Applicants, certificate holders or certificate owners may lodge a complaint about deficiencies in the certification process or inappropriate treatment by the certification body's staff. In addition to the person directly involved in the certification process, their employer and other parties involved in the certification process also have the right to lodge a complaint.

Complaints must be submitted informally to PM-ZERT within six weeks of the announcement of the examination results.

PM-ZERT will inform the sender of the outcome in writing within six weeks. 

Only the person directly affected by the decision has the right to appeal. Applicants, certificate holders or certificate owners can lodge an appeal to request a review of a negative decision made by the certification body with regard to certification status.

Appeals must be submitted in writing to PM-ZERT within four weeks of notification of the assessment results.

PM-ZERT will ensure that the appeal is processed impartially and will inform the sender of the status of the appeal within six weeks. The final decision, including reasons, will be communicated to the sender in writing. 

If you are ill or wish to postpone your examination, please send an email to the level-specific mailbox. The next steps will then be coordinated with the office.

Please note:
Please refer to the current fee list for possible fees for postponement or cancellation. 

The higher certification follows the same procedure as for initial certification.