How Long Do Certifications Last?
Knowing how long your certification lasts is crucial for planning renewals and ensuring your credentials remain up to date.
Whether you’re a new candidate or a seasoned professional, this page will provide you with the essential information to keep your certification current and valid.
Read on to learn more about the lifespan of all the certifications we provide and what steps you need to take to renew them when the time comes.
PeopleCert Certifications
All PeopleCert certifications, namely PRINCE2®, ITIL®, PRINCE2® Agile, MSP®, MoP®, P3O® have to be renewed every three years.
There are three main renewal paths available:
- Retake the same exam: you can renew your certification by retaking the original exam before the renewal date.
- Take further courses and certifications: you can renew your certifications by attending another course and taking another exam, within the same product suite*, before the renewal date.
- Collect and log CPD points: you can renew and keep your certification by collecting and logging so-called CPD (continuing professional development) points.
*Product suites are as follows:
- ITIL 4 Product Suite: All ITIL 4 certifications
- Project, Programme & Portfolio Management Product Suite: PRINCE2®, PRINCE2® Agile, MoR®, MSP®, MoV®, MoP®, P3O
APMG Certifications
| Certification | Validity | How to remain accredited |
|---|---|---|
| Agile Change Agent | lifetime | |
| AgilePM Foundation | lifetime | |
| AgilePM Practitioner | 5 years | Beyond 5 years: re-sit the exam Within 3-5 years: sit the re-registration exam (same format as the Practitioner exam but with fewer questions) |
| Change Management Foundation | lifetime | |
| Change Management Practitioner | 5 years | Beyond 5 years: re-sit the exam Within 3-5 years: sit the re-registration exam (same format as the Practitioner exam but with fewer questions) |
| Design Thinking | lifetime | |
| Scrum Master | lifetime | |
| Scrum Product Owner | lifetime |
PMI Certifications
| Certification | Validity | How to remain accredited |
|---|---|---|
| PMP | 3 years | During the 3 years you will need to earn 60 Professional Development Units (PDUs) to renew your certification at the end of the cycle. |
| CAPM | 3 years | During the 3 years you will need to earn 15 Professional Development Units (PDUs) to renew your certification at the end of the cycle. |
Scaled Agile Certifications
You will have to renew your SAFe certification after one year.
When your renewal time comes, you’ll get an official e-mail from Scaled Agile to renew the certificates. If you want to renew your certification, you need to renew your membership at one of three tiers, two of which will include a bundle renewal of all your SAFe certifications. If you don’t need or want to include renewal of your certifications, you have the option to simply renew your membership to continue access to all the assets, tools, and resources to help you grow as a SAFe professional.
Other certifications (QRP offers)
| Certification | Validity | How to remain accredited |
|---|---|---|
| Cobit | 3 years | you must complete continuing professional education (CPE) hours annually to maintain your certification |
| Hermes Foundation | lifetime | |
| Hermes Advanced | lifetime | |
| PM2 | lifetime | |
| TOGAF Foundation | lifetime | |
| TOGAF Practitioner | lifetime |