About PPC Certification
Overview
Project Planning and Control Training and Certification
Benefits of PPC Certification
For Individual
- Gain a step-by-step guide for successfully delivering projects and improve project outcomes.
- Understand the interdependencies between planning and controls functions to improve project lifecycles and resource allocation.
- Acquire a globally recognized certification and demonstrate an ability for successful project delivery while mitigating risks for the organization.
- Apply structured methods to define project scope, set clear objectives, and maintain control throughout the project lifecycle.
- Integrate planning and control techniques to manage schedules, resources, and budgets while meeting quality standards.
For Organizational
- Equips project teams with standardized practices that enhance consistency, efficiency, and accountability across projects.
- Strengthens organizational capability to deliver projects on time, within scope, and on budget.
- Reduces risk exposure by embedding structured planning and control techniques into project delivery.
- Supports strategic alignment by enabling better resource allocation and project prioritization.
- Demonstrates a commitment to quality and continuous improvement through globally recognized project delivery standards.
Documentation
Documentation
Success in 1 2 3
Over 2.6 million people in 192 countries have an APMG certification. Our certifications are used by 80% of the FTSE 100 and a third of the Fortune 500 and S&P 500, and are proven to deliver better outcomes.
Select your certification
APMG certifications can advance your career, build your confidence and help you transition into a new field. Browse our careers section for inspiration or visit our certification pages for details of what you’ll learn and how you will benefit from certification.
Choose your learning style
APMG is not a training provider. Please contact accredited training organization's listed on our website for prices and dates. Alternatively, you can self-study for an exam directly through APMG.
Pass the exam & receive a certificate
When you are ready to take your exam, book an online timeslot yourself with APMG, or your training organization may organize this for you. If you pass your exam APMG will issue you with a digital badge for you to share!
PPC Certification levels
Ready to start your learning journey?
Choose a Training Organization
APMG accredits Training Organizations (ATOs) to make sure they are delivering our products and certifications to high standards.
Buy a training course and exam through one of our Training Organizations below.
Self-study
Buy your book and exam from APMG
Training organizations for PPC Certification
Testimonials
I found it really helpful and educational. I have put it all in to practice and I have just got a promotion at work to senior planner! Would highly recommend.
Brilliant experience and knowledge gained to support existing Project Management skills. I would definitely recommend taking this course!
It gave a greater perspective into forecasting and planning projects, and highlights the importance of gathering and recording accurate data to help guide the planning of new projects.
SFIA
This APMG certification has been informally mapped against the SFIA Framework to indicate the skills that are addressed and referenced by the certification. Although it is not yet possible to claim this digital badge, the indicative skills can be used to plan your professional development through assessing the skills you have and the skills you need for the role you want.
knowledge
Project Planning and Control Foundation
Generic attribute Knowledge up to level 3, Portfolio, Programme and Project Support up to level 3
Same as above plus Portfolio, Programme and Project Support level 4, Project Management level 4
knowledge
Project Planning and Control Practitioner
Generic attribute Knowledge up to level 4, Portfolio, Programme and Project Support up to level 4
Same as above plus Project Management level 4
knowledge
Project Planning and Control Foundation
Generic attribute Knowledge up to level 3, Portfolio, Programme and Project Support up to level 3
Same as above plus Portfolio, Programme and Project Support level 4, Project Management level 4
knowledge
Project Planning and Control Practitioner
Generic attribute Knowledge up to level 4, Portfolio, Programme and Project Support up to level 4
Same as above plus Project Management level 4
Related products
FAQs
APMG International has partnered with the Association for Project Management (APM) to develop Project Planning and Control – this incorporates new guidance and a supporting training and certification scheme for business analysts. The Project Planning and Control guidance is aimed at:
Planning Managers
Planning Engineers
Project Control Managers
Project Control Engineers
It may also be useful to
Cost Engineers
Project Managers
Project Support Team Members
Project Planning and Control has one main publication supporting the qualification scheme, published by the APM, called PLANNING, SCHEDULING, MONITORING AND CONTROL - The Practical Project Management of Time, Cost and Risk.
This can be purchased from APMG Business Books at: www.apmg-businessbooks.com.
Most Project Planning and Control ATOs will include the guidance as part of the course fee.
Examinations are currently available in English only. Further translations will be considered subject to market demand.
For individuals self-studying it is almost impossible to say. As all candidates have different experiences and amount of time available for study, it varies from person to person. We suggest you buy the guidance and have a look through for yourself before deciding how long you need to spend learning.
For those studying with an accredited training organization, foundation courses are generally delivered over 3 days. A combined foundation and practitioner course will generally be delivered over 5 days. It is well worth investigating with individual providers, as many will offer tailored and blended learning solutions.
The Project Planning and Control foundation examination consists of 50 multiple-choice questions, with 25 marks (50%) required to pass. It is a closed-book examination to be completed in 40 minutes.
The practitioner examination consists of 8 questions with 10 marks available per question, to be completed in 3 hours. A total of 80 marks are available, with 40 marks (50%) required to pass. The exam is in the complex multiple OTE format based on a scenario and additional question information. It is an open-book examination (PPC guide only) and a simple calculator may also be used.
The pass mark for the Project Planning and Control examination is:
Foundation: You will need to score 25/50 (50%) to pass the foundation exam.
Practitioner: You will need to score 40/80 (50%) to pass the practitioner exam.
The certifications are not valid for a defined period of time and will not expire.
- Provisional results: After completing the Foundation examination, candidates may receive provisional results either orally from the invigilator or on-screen at the end of an online exam.
- Official results: Once processed, official results, including a PDF breakdown of marks by syllabus area, are available in the APMG Candidate Portal. Results are issued as the total number of marks achieved.
- Processing time: Exam papers are usually marked immediately after the exam. APMG formally processes and confirms results via the Candidate Portal within 2 working days of receiving completed papers.
- Outstanding payments: In exceptional cases, results may be withheld until full payment has been received.
Once you’ve been notified that you’ve passed your exam, you will have the option to create a digital badge in APMG's Candidate Portal.
Visit APMG's Candidate Portal, view your exam results and select 'Create Badge'.
This takes you to the Credly website where the digital badges are hosted. You will be guided through the Credly account creation process.
Once you have created an account with Credly, log into the account and accept your pending badge.
Candidates will be able to claim their digital badge and electronic certificate from the APMG Candidate Portal within two business days of their exam result being issued.