LAUNCHING 2027
The future of our Chartered assessment
A new assessment is launching on 24 May 2027. We're evolving how we assess Chartered Project Professionals (ChPP) to create a more intuitive, accessible and future-focused way for project professionals to demonstrate their capability.
This update reflects our ongoing commitment to maintaining the value, credibility and recognition of Chartership while ensuring the assessment experience remains fair, robust and accessible for project professionals.
Technical knowledge will be assessed through a written exam, while professional practice will be assessed through an oral assessment and presentation.
The new assessment will also simplify the candidate journey, with one application, one fee and one set of results, making the process more straightforward while maintaining the same high standards expected of Chartered Project Professionals.
Supporting resources
Specific guidance
Why are we introducing a new assessment?
The new assessment has been designed to:
- Maintain the high standards expected of Chartered status.
- Enhance accessibility for project professionals.
- Create a clearer and more intuitive assessment experience.
- Future-proof the assessment for a changing profession.
What's changing?
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A streamlined route to Chartered status Make one payment for your full assessment, with an online exam followed within two weeks by your oral assessment and portfolio presentation. Proposers are no longer required. |
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A fair and consistent assessment for everyone The assessment has been updated to maintain fairness, objectivity and integrity, including in response to the use of AI. |
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Updated guidance to help you prepare The knowledge and competences remain the same, with updated handbooks and guidance to help you prepare for the new assessment. |
What鈥檚 not changing is just as important.
The chartered standard remains the benchmark. The competences you鈥檙e assessed against, the level of professional achievement required and the value and recognition of chartership all remain unchanged. The assessment is changing. The standard is not.
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The Chartered Project Professional standard We鈥檙e not changing the standard or the level of professional achievement required. |
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Recognised assessments for pathways remain the same You can find out what pathway is right for you here. |
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The rigour and credibility of the assessment isn鈥檛 budging Neither is the the value and recognition of Chartership. |
Whether you achieve Chartered status through the current assessment or the new assessment, the professional standard remains unchanged.
Structure of the new assessment
The new assessment has been designed to provide a more intuitive and streamlined experience while maintaining the rigour and credibility expected of Chartership.
What does this mean for me?
There are two routes available over the coming months.
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Applications are expected to close for the current assessment on 24 March 2027 and will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis.
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Are you a candidate?
Whichever assessment you choose to sit, we wish you the very best of luck in your journey towards chartered status.
If you鈥檙e already underway with your application, please ensure you鈥檝e had a look at the timeline including cut off dates, so you can plan your submission accordingly.
Both the current and future assessment will require the same technical knowledge and professional practice competence, but the assessment format will differ. Please ensure you have the right guidance for your chosen assessment as they are not interchangeable.
FAQs for candidates
When do I need to submit my application if I want to use the current assessment?
The planned deadline for written applications is 24 March 2027. However, APM may close submissions earlier if demand is greater than the available capacity. You should submit as soon as you are ready rather than relying on the final date.
What happens if I have started an application but do not submit it by the deadline?
Unsubmitted applications will not transfer automatically. You will need to prepare for and book the new assessment. Existing incomplete applications are expected to be closed when the current application route is withdrawn.
At the close of the transition period we鈥檒l be deleting all incomplete submissions, if you wish to keep any of your entry, please copy and paste it out of the system before 24 March 2027.
When can I book the new assessment?
Bookings are currently planned to open online on 24 May 2027 for assessments taking place from 14 June 2027.
Can I transfer my preparation to the new assessment?
Yes. The competences and Chartered standard are not changing, so your technical knowledge study, project examples and reflective evidence should remain relevant. You will need to adapt them to the new assessment format and presentation requirements.
What happens if I need to re-sit during the transition?
Your re-sit requirement will depend on the components already passed:
- candidates who have not demonstrated all required areas will need to take the full new assessment;
- candidates who have already passed Technical Knowledge will only need the relevant professional competence assessment; and
- candidates whose professional practice has already been accepted will only need the new technical knowledge examination.
You should obtain confirmation from APM based on your pathway and individual result.
How long after the exam is the oral assessment and presentation?
The candidate must sit both parts of the assessment in a 2-week window.
What support will be available in preparation for the new assessment to help candidates prepare?
In addition to the Chartered Standard itself and the Candidate Handbook, which replaces the current Chartered Guidance document, we have updated the Chartered Competences document. This is now the ChPP Competences and Evaluation Standards document, including more detail on the technical knowledge assessment criteria, and the evaluation standards for the accountability and complexity assessment. The aim is for this document to help guide candidates through what they need to prepare for the technical knowledge written exam, and ensure that the projects they select meet the evaluation standards, as well as detailing the professional practice competences.
There is a PowerPoint template for the portfolio presentation available for each of the pathways below. The templates includes instructions and guidance for candidates on how best to present their evidence.
In March 2027, we plan to publish examples of what good looks like for the portfolio presentation. We will also be releasing sample questions with mark schemes for both the technical knowledge written exam and the accountability and complexity assessment.
What assessments will I need to sit on each pathway?
What will the price be for the new assessment?
Pricing is expected to be broadly in line with current rates, subject to the usual inflationary increase in April.
The new assessment will be paid for in one lump sum to cover the full assessment, unlike the current assessment which is split by assessment.
Why must both parts of the assessment be taken in a 2-week period?
The assessment window was set following consultation with the profession which guided the necessary amount of time to complete the assessment.
Is the oral assessment and presentation based on the answers given in the exam?
No, the exam focuses on Technical Knowledge only.
Should I delay applying until the new assessment launches?
Not necessarily. If you are ready and can realistically complete the current process before the transition deadlines, you can continue with it. If you are at an early stage of preparation, it may be more practical to prepare for the new model and avoid having to restructure your work close to the transition.
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Date or stage |
What happens |
Candidate action |
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Now to early 2027 |
Both the current and new assessment arrangements should be considered when planning. |
Confirm your pathway, assess how far your preparation has progressed and decide whether completing the current process is realistic. |
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As early as possible |
Places under the current assessment are subject to capacity and are expected to be managed on a first-come, first-served basis. |
If using the current model, complete and submit your written application and secure an interview date without waiting for the final deadline. |
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24 March 2027 |
Final deadline for written applications under the current assessment. APM may bring this date forward if capacity is reached. |
Ensure your application has been submitted before the confirmed closing date. Do not assume a draft or incomplete application will transfer automatically. |
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11 June 2027 |
Final date for interviews under the current assessment. |
Complete the interview by this date. Submitting a written application alone does not guarantee completion under the current model. |
Are you a mentor or supporting candidates?
Thank you for continuing to support candidates through one of the biggest assessments of their professional career.
In preparation for the transition, we鈥檇 recommend reading our latest guidance document surrounding the new assessment and to support your candidates or mentees sharing the following updates with them:
FAQs for mentors
Should I encourage a candidate to complete the current or new assessment?
Discuss how advanced their preparation is and whether they can realistically complete both stages of the current assessment before the deadlines. Candidates who are not close to submitting should review the new assessment requirements and consider preparing directly for the new format.
Will preparation for the current assessment be wasted?
No. The Chartered standard, level of difficulty and underlying competences are not changing. Candidates should be able to reuse much of their knowledge, experience and evidence, although they will need to restructure it for the new examination, accountability and complexity assessment, and portfolio presentation.
Is the Chartered standard becoming easier?
No. The level, standard and difficulty are not changing. The new assessment changes how competence is demonstrated, not the professional standard candidates must meet. It will also retain a live human element.
What support will be available in preparation for the new assessment to help candidates prepare?
In addition to the Chartered Standard itself and the Candidate Handbook, which replaces the current Chartered Guidance document, we have updated the Chartered Competences document. This is now the ChPP Competences and Evaluation Standards document, including more detail on the technical knowledge assessment criteria, and the evaluation standards for the accountability and complexity assessment. The aim is for this document to help guide candidates through what they need to prepare for the technical knowledge written exam, and ensure that the projects they select meet the evaluation standards, as well as detailing the professional practice competences.
There is a PowerPoint template for the portfolio presentation available for each of the pathways below. The templates includes instructions and guidance for candidates on how best to present their evidence.
In March 2027, we plan to publish examples of what good looks like for the portfolio presentation. We will also be releasing sample questions with mark schemes for both the technical knowledge written exam and the accountability and complexity assessment.
What assessments will candidates sit per pathway?
Should the guidance I give around Recognised Assessments change?
No, Recognised Assessment and Pathways are not changing. You should continue to encourage candidates to check if they hold any Recognised Assessments so they can select the right pathway.
What’s the critical information candidates need to know if they’re preparing for the new assessment?
Its important candidates take the time to read what鈥檚 expected of them; not what they think will be asked of them.
This means looking in details at the competencies and bridge any knowledge gaps for their technical knowledge or ensure their professional practice meets the criteria.
Is there a briefing available to watch?
To find out more and hear from our Head of Professional Standards, Emily Long, you can watch our video briefing.
Are you a corporate partner, corporate affiliate or employer?
As we prepare for our 2027 transition to our new assessment model, we want to ensure your organisation is ready.
If you have any questions or need help planning your current or future cohorts, please speak to your Business Development Manager who will help you plan your next steps.
The change will only impact the assessment candidates complete, not the competences or standard they must achieve. This means the learning and development programmes or work that prepares candidates to build their Technical Knowledge and Professional Practice should remain the same.
As you reach out to your organisation or cohorts, please ensure they are aware of the transition timeline and have planned their submission accordingly if they have started their submission.
FAQs for corporate partners, corporate affiliates and employers
How can I help candidates in my organisation prepare during the transition?
There are a variety of support options, during our pilot we heard from a range of candidates from organisations and what we heard was the below helped most:
The most effective support starts with understanding each candidate鈥檚 readiness and giving them protected time to prepare, supported by a mentor with the right level of experience. You can then help candidates select suitable project evidence and strengthen their knowledge through targeted revision sessions, before building confidence with mock oral assessments and presentation rehearsals.
Practical arrangements are equally important, including checking that candidates can access the required assessment technology in the workplace and making sure they understand the relevant deadlines.
What should I communicate to candidates during the transition?
Communications should make clear that the Chartered standard and level of difficulty are not changing, and that existing learning and recognised assessments remain valuable. However, the assessment method is changing, so candidates who intend to use the current model should act early and complete their assessment.
Candidates should use the new assessment webpage to source all information to ensure it is accurate and relevant.
How can I support mentors in my organisation?
While the competences remain the same, it is important mentors are clear on each candidate鈥檚 needs depending on the version of the assessment they are sitting.
Provide mentors with the current handbook, competence and evaluation standards, presentation guidance and transition information.
It鈥檚 important that mentors continue to question, challenge and support reflection, but without creating any assessment content for candidates as this must be their own.
How can I support cohorts planned around the transition?
Review cohort schedules now and avoid planning submissions close to the final deadline. Confirm which cohort members can reasonably complete the current process and move the remainder onto a preparation plan for the new assessment. Funding, mentor availability and assessment capacity should all be considered.
Will my employees’ existing Recognised Assessments still count?
Yes, Recognised Assessment and Pathways will remain just as relevant, and candidates should check if they hold any Recognised Assessments so they can select the right pathway.
What assessments will candidates sit per pathway?