International Association of Project Managers

What International Association of Project Managers does

The International Association of Project Managers (IAPM) is a Liechtenstein-registered non-profit professional association and certification body headquartered in Vaduz. Founded as a worldwide association, it issues eight project management certifications across three tracks — traditional, agile (Scrum, Kanban, Extreme Programming), and international/cross-cultural project management — plus a Certified Project Management Trainer credential. Its standards are codified in three proprietary guides (Project Managers' Guide, Agile Project Managers' Guide, and International PM Guide 2.0), which form the basis of its examinations.

IAPM delivers certifications through a self-paced, online proctored examination system that candidates can take from any computer, complemented by a global network of certified training partners and an academic Network University program that embeds its credentials in university curricula. Certification fees are tiered by the applicant's country Gross National Product, certificates are lifetime-valid, and an online Certificate Validation Service allows third-party verification. The organization is ISO 9001 certified and, in 2018, its methods were officially recognized by the Procurement Office of the German Federal Ministry of the Interior; its trademarks are registered in the EU and Germany.

The business model combines one-time certification examination fees with optional licensing of exclusive training materials to certified partners. It markets via content channels (blog, Medium, YouTube, LinkedIn group with 5,000+ members, German-language X account) and email newsletters (Sendinblue), and supports the funnel with marketing analytics through self-hosted Matomo. Technology infrastructure is lightweight: website hosting via Host Europe in Köln, email via Sendinblue in Berlin, and self-hosted analytics in Frankfurt. No revenue, headcount, or candidate-volume figures are publicly disclosed.

Name

International Association of Project Managers

Legal name

IAPM - International Association of Project Managers

Website

https://iapm.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The International Association of Project Managers (IAPM) is a Liechtenstein-based non-profit association that issues lifetime, GNP-tiered project management certifications across traditional, agile, and international tracks, delivered via online proctored exams to individuals worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Vaduz

HQ country

Liechtenstein

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Certification Fees: IAPM generates revenue primarily through certification examination fees. The costs are determined based on the Gross National Product (GNP) of the applicant's country of origin, making pricing fair across different economic contexts. Candidates pay fees for self-tests and certification examinations.
2. Training Partner Licensing: Training partners can optionally purchase exclusive IAPM training materials for preparing candidates for certifications. This creates a secondary revenue stream while maintaining quality standards.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

IAPM is a non-profit certification body that issues eight professional project management certifications across traditional, agile, and international tracks through online proctored examinations. Candidates prepare via free proprietary IAPM guides, an optional Weblearning platform, or certified training partners, and the certificates are lifetime-valid with fees scaled to the applicant's country GNP. Supplemental offerings include a Certificate Validation Service for employers and the Network University academic program.

Product overview

The International Association of Project Managers (IAPM) offers a portfolio of professional certification programs for project managers, organized into three tracks: traditional project management, agile project management, and international project management. The certification portfolio includes eight distinct certification levels ranging from entry-level (Certified Junior Project Manager) to advanced (Certified Senior Project Manager, Certified Senior Agile Project Manager) to specialized (Certified International Project Manager) and professional trainer certification (Certified Project Management Trainer). Certifications are lifetime-valid with fair pricing. Preparation is supported through complementary study guides (Project Managers' Guide, Agile Project Managers' Guide, International PM Guide 2.0) available as free downloads, an optional Weblearning Platform, and partnership with certified training partners globally. The IAPM Network University extends reach into academic institutions. Online proctored examinations are conducted with a 65% passing threshold, and a certificate validation service enables third-party verification of credentials.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Certified Junior Project Manager (IAPM) Entry-level professional certification demonstrating foundational knowledge of project management competency elements without requiring prior professional experience; aimed at aspiring and early-career project managers.
• Certified Project Manager (IAPM) Standard project management certification validating comprehensive knowledge across all competency elements of traditional project management; professional experience is beneficial but not mandatory.
• Certified Senior Project Manager (IAPM) Advanced traditional project management certification requiring minimum 5 years of project management experience with 3 years in a leadership or significant-responsibility position; candidates must demonstrate practical ability to apply PM methods and tools.
• Certified Junior Agile Project Manager (IAPM) Entry-level certification for agile project management demonstrating foundational knowledge of Scrum-based methodologies without requiring prior professional experience.
• Certified Agile Project Manager (IAPM) Standard certification validating knowledge in all competency elements of Scrum management for managers working in agile project environments; professional experience is beneficial but not required.
• Certified Senior Agile Project Manager (IAPM) Advanced agile certification requiring minimum 5 years of experience in agile project environments with 3 years in a leadership or significant management role; both theoretical knowledge and practical experience must be demonstrated.
• Certified International Project Manager (IAPM) Specialized certification for international project management requiring prior successful completion of a base IAPM certification (Project Manager, Senior Project Manager, Agile Project Manager, or Senior Agile Project Manager).
• Certified Project Management Trainer (IAPM) Trainer certification requiring the highest available certification in the chosen project management field (traditional, agile, or international); trainers must pass the certification exam with at least 75% and are authorized to prepare candidates for IAPM certifications.
• Weblearning Platform Online self-study platform offering structured learning materials aligned with IAPM certification exams to support candidate exam preparation.
• Certificate Validation Service Online verification service that allows employers and third parties to confirm the authenticity of issued IAPM certificates using a certificate identification number.

Quantifiable outcome

• Examination pass rate threshold: 65% minimum score required to pass
• +1 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• 3P ProjectscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorConsulting, training, and coaching firm in project management. Operated by Prof. Dr. Arne Petermann who serves as IAPM Network Official. Offers preparation courses for IAPM certifications.
• cando – Projektmanagement-Software & ConsultingminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorProject management software and consulting company offering complementary services to IAPM certification holders.
• ConsensaminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHome port for project success, project consulting and qualification services.
• HSPPminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner for agile product development, training, support, and intercultural coaching.
• KayentaminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSoft skills training for specialists and executives.
• OneStop TransformationminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDigital transformation support services.
• PMOGA CommunityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity of PMOs and PMO experts in India. Connects IAPM with Indian project management professionals.
• BRIDGE ConferenceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProject Management & PMO Conference connecting project management professionals.
• Agile LietuvaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity uniting agile actors and enthusiasts in Lithuania.

Scale indicators3 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Project Management Institute (PMI): PMI is the world's largest project management certification body, offering PMP, CAPM, and PMI-ACP among others. It is IAPM's primary direct competitor, addressing the same working project managers and aspiring PMs with a globally dominant brand and Pearson VUE-proctored exams.
• International Project Management Association (IPMA): IPMA is a federation of national PM associations offering the ICB-based four-level certification system across more than 70 countries. It directly competes with IAPM in international project management certification, especially in Europe, and overlaps with IAPM's international PM track.
• AXELOS: AXELOS owns and manages the PRINCE2 project management methodology and its global certification scheme. It competes with IAPM for the same traditional and methodology-based PM certification dollars, particularly in the UK, Europe, and Commonwealth markets.
• Scrum Alliance: Scrum Alliance issues CSM, CSPO, and other Scrum-focused certifications through a global trainer network. It directly overlaps with IAPM's agile PM certifications (Junior Agile, Agile, Senior Agile PM) and competes for the same agile practitioner audience.
• Scaled Agile (SAFe): Scaled Agile offers the SAFe framework and associated SPC/SAFe Agilist certifications focused on scaling agile across enterprises. It is comparable to IAPM because it sells senior-level agile PM certifications through accredited trainers, competing for the same corporate agile upskilling budget.
• Association for Project Management (APM): APM is the UK chartered body for the project profession, offering PMQ, PPQ, and Chartered Project Professional designations. It competes with IAPM in the traditional PM certification space, particularly for European practitioners seeking recognized credentials.
• APMG International: APMG International accredits and administers PRINCE2, ITIL, and other methodology-based certifications through its global network. It is a direct peer because it operates a parallel accreditation-and-certification infrastructure that competes for the same training partner and candidate ecosystem as IAPM.

Broad incumbents

• Coursera: Coursera hosts Google Project Management, IBM, and university PM certificates and specializations. It overlaps with IAPM as a broader incumbent offering recognized PM credentials online, but does not specialize in PM the way IAPM does.
• edX: edX offers MicroMasters, professional certificates, and executive education including project management programs from universities. It is comparable to IAPM as a broad incumbent in online professional certification, addressing similar learners but with a much wider portfolio.

Emerging players

• CertiProf: CertiProf offers multiple agile, Scrum, and PM certifications at accessible price points for Latin American and global markets. It overlaps with IAPM's value proposition of affordable, online PM certification, particularly in lower-GNP regions where PMP is priced out of reach.

Market position

Strengths1 record

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/iapm_deutsch
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/IAPMnet
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/iapm-international-association-of-project-managers
• Facebookfacebook.com/iapmindia

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about International Association of Project Managers