The Association for Project Management (APM) provides a recognised development route for people working in projects, from those taking their first steps into project management through to experienced professionals seeking Chartered status.
This information was updated in January 2026
As the chartered membership organisation for the project profession, APM qualifications are designed to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding that can be applied across different industries, organisations and types of project. This is an important distinction: APM qualifications are not based around learning a single project management methodology. Instead, they develop a broad understanding of the principles, practices and professional competencies needed to manage projects effectively.
For individuals, this creates a structured approach to professional development. For employers, APM qualifications can provide a consistent benchmark for developing project management capability across teams and organisations.
An Overview of APM Qualifications
As of 2026, the principal APM qualification pathway begins with the APM Project Fundamentals Qualification (PFQ) and progresses to the APM Project Management Qualification (PMQ). Experienced project professionals can then continue their professional development towards the highly coveted Chartered Project Professional (ChPP) standard.
This represents a considerable evolution from the APM qualification structure that existed 10 years ago.
Here is a brief overview of each of those APM qualifications and accreditations but you can learn more by reading the full details as highlighted at the end of each section.
APM Project Fundamentals Qualification (PFQ)
The APM Project Fundamentals Qualification (PFQ) is the introductory qualification within the APM qualification structure.
It is designed for people who want a broad understanding of project management principles and terminology and does not require any previous project management knowledge or experience.
That makes PFQ particularly suitable for people beginning a career in project management, members of project teams who want to understand how projects are managed, and people whose existing role increasingly requires them to contribute to projects.
The qualification introduces candidates to important aspects of project management including project life cycles, planning and scheduling, communication, teamwork, resource management, risk management and project reviews.
Assessment is through a 60-minute examination containing 60 multiple-choice questions.
The PFQ therefore provides an accessible introduction to professional project management and can also provide a foundation for further development towards the more comprehensive APM Project Management Qualification.
APM Project Management Qualification (PMQ)
The APM Project Management Qualification (PMQ) is the principal knowledge-based qualification for project professionals seeking to develop a broad and substantial understanding of project management. It replaced the qualification previously known as APMP.
The APM suggests that candidates are most likely to be working in a project environment and have around two to three years’ experience, although PMQ is also appropriate for people undertaking relevant apprenticeships or degree programmes.
One of the major advantages of PMQ is its breadth. Rather than teaching candidates how to follow one particular methodology, it develops understanding across the different areas that contribute to effective project delivery.
These include subjects such as project life cycles, stakeholder engagement and communication, risk and issue management, quality management and the wider strategic and commercial environment in which projects operate.
The current PMQ is assessed through a 2.5-hour online examination comprising 40 questions worth a total of 90 marks. The assessment uses several different question formats, including multiple-response, select-from-list, short-response and longer-response questions.
This is significantly different from the previous three-hour written examination and reflects the evolution of both the qualification and modern assessment methods.
For practising project professionals, PMQ can provide independent evidence of a broad understanding of project management while also supporting longer-term professional development.
Chartered Project Professional (ChPP)
At the highest level of professional recognition is the Chartered Project Professional (ChPP) standard. The APM is the chartered membership organisation for the project profession, and ChPP provides formal recognition for project professionals who meet the required standard.
The Chartered Project Professional standard recognises a defined level of technical knowledge, professional practice and ethical behaviour.
Importantly, ChPP is not simply another examination-based project management qualification. Applicants need to demonstrate that they meet the Chartered standard through the appropriate assessment pathway.
Different pathways are available depending on whether an applicant already holds recognised assessments of technical knowledge and/or professional practice. This makes Chartered status accessible to experienced professionals from a range of backgrounds rather than restricting it to people who have followed one particular qualification route.
For experienced project, programme and portfolio professionals, ChPP provides an opportunity to demonstrate that their capability extends beyond theoretical knowledge to the professional application of that knowledge.
Onging Professional Development to Full APM Membership
Qualifications are only one part of professional development. As project managers gain experience, they can also seek professional recognition through membership of the Association for Project Management.
Experienced practitioners may be eligible for Full membership of APM, which allows them to use the MAPM designatory letters after their name.
There are several routes to Full membership. One combines an accepted qualification with a minimum of three years’ relevant project management experience. An experiential route is also available for professionals without an accepted qualification who have at least five years’ relevant experience.
This is important because professional development in project management should not simply be about accumulating certificates. Experience, professional practice and the ability to apply knowledge effectively become increasingly important as a project professional’s career develops.
What Happened to APM PPQ?
People familiar with the previous APM qualification structure may also recognise the APM Project Professional Qualification (PPQ).
PPQ was designed to assess professional project management capability and previously provided a progression route for experienced project professionals. However, APM has now decommissioned PPQ, with candidates required to complete their assessment by 30 June 2026.
It therefore is no longer part of the current APM qualification pathway.
Similarly, older qualifications such as the APM Practitioner Qualification (PQ) remain recognised achievements for people who already hold them, but they are not the qualifications that someone beginning their APM development journey would pursue.
A Clear Professional Development Pathway
The APM framework provides a progression that can accompany a project professional throughout their career.
Someone relatively new to projects might begin by developing fundamental knowledge through APM PFQ. As their responsibilities and experience increase, APM PMQ provides a much broader understanding of professional project management.
With further practical experience, project professionals can seek recognition through Full APM membership. Those who develop the necessary level of technical knowledge, professional practice and professional commitment can ultimately work towards Chartered Project Professional status.
But the real value of this pathway is not simply the collection of qualifications or post-nominals.
Good project management depends upon people being able to apply knowledge appropriately in complex, changing and sometimes uncertain situations. Qualifications provide an important foundation, but professional development also requires practical experience, judgement, communication, leadership and continued learning.
For organisations developing their own project management capability, APM qualifications can therefore provide a valuable framework around which to build structured development programmes. They establish common knowledge and professional standards while allowing organisations to supplement accredited learning with training focused on their own projects, processes, culture and delivery challenges.
For individuals, they provide recognised milestones throughout a project management career. For employers, they provide an established benchmark for building knowledgeable, capable and increasingly professional project teams.
