⚖️ Compare certifications
⚖️ Compare
31 different·0 in common
🧭 Overview
Certifying body≠ differs
IAPM
PeopleCert / AXELOS
Focus≠ differs
IAPM's certification for agile project management.
The application-level PRINCE2 certification — apply the method to a scenario.
Best suited for≠ differs
PMs adding agile (flexible)
Practising PMs in PRINCE2 markets
Pass mark≠ differs
65%
55%
Difficulty≠ differs
2 / 5
3 / 5
Open book≠ differs
No
Yes
🚀 Career & roles
Career prospects≠ differs
IAPM's agile project-management certification — a flexible, exam-only agile credential, Europe-leaning.
Proves you can apply and tailor PRINCE2 to a real project. Frequently mandatory for PM roles in UK/EU and in government tenders.
Post-certification roles≠ differs
Agile PM · Scrum Master · Team Lead
Project Manager · Senior PM · Programme Office · Delivery Manager
Demand trend≠ differs
Niche — growing in Europe
Stable — often mandated in UK/EU/gov job specs
Typical salary≠ differs
Modest; employer recognition varies
Strong in UK/EU; comparable to PMP within those regions
🌍 Recognition & market
Recognition≠ differs
IAPM · Europe-leaning · one-time
AXELOS / PeopleCert · highly recognised across the UK/Commonwealth
Popular in≠ differs
Germany, Europe
UK, Europe, Australia, Middle East, Africa
Companies hiring≠ differs
SMEs, consulting, IT
Government, consulting, public sector, enterprises
Industry verticals≠ differs
IT/software, services
Public sector, IT, construction, finance, utilities
Tech horizontals≠ differs
Agile delivery
Method-agnostic; enterprise & government delivery
📝 Exam format
Questions≠ differs
80 questions
68 questions
Duration≠ differs
90 min · 1h 30m
150 min · 2h 30m
Question types≠ differs
Not published
Objective testing · scenario-based (open book)
Delivery≠ differs
Not published
Test centre · Online proctored
Languages≠ differs
Not published
English + others
🎓 Eligibility & process
Eligibility / prerequisites≠ differs
None (open)
PRINCE2 Foundation (or PMP/CAPM/IPMA) required first
Application process≠ differs
Book the online exam → self-study → exam
Hold Foundation → book Practitioner (course + open-book exam) via PeopleCert/ATO
💸 Cost & effort
Training cost (approx)≠ differs
USD 0–500
USD 500–1,500
Exam / application fee≠ differs
USD 250
USD 500
Prep time≠ differs
~3 weeks
~4 weeks
Study hours≠ differs
~30 hours
~35 hours
🔄 Validity & renewal
Validity≠ differs
Not published
3 years
Renewal≠ differs
Not published
Renew within 3 years via CPD (MyPRINCE2) or re-exam
Retake policy≠ differs
Not published
No mandatory wait; rebook and pay the exam fee.
📈 ROI
ROI score≠ differs
2 / 5
4 / 5
Worth it?≠ differs
Low-cost flexible agile cert; less known than Scrum.org / Scrum Alliance.
High in UK/EU/government markets where it is a hiring gate — strong regional ROI.
📊 Syllabus — domain weighting
🔄IAPM Agile PM
- Agile Foundations & Mindset20%
- Scrum & Kanban Frameworks25%
- Agile Planning & Estimation20%
- Iterative Delivery & Value20%
- Agile Teams & Leadership15%
🏰PRINCE2 Practitioner
- Principles15%
- Themes45%
- Processes40%
Career, cost, effort and ROI figures are indicative — they vary by region, employer and experience.