Many potential management candidates explore how to get PRINCE2-certified. PRINCE2 certification looks great on a CV, and the training it involves equips you with the necessary tools to manage projects efficiently and effectively. There are several ways of getting PRINCE2-certified, and choosing the one that’s right for you depends on how you approach the training and examination components. In this article, we outline how to get PRINCE2 certification, define what PRINCE2 is and answer some common questions regarding this certification.
What is the PRINCE2 certification?
PRINCE2 stands for ‘PRojects IN Controlled Environments’. The certification is for individuals who have demonstrated an in-depth understanding of the PRINCE2 method by completing a course and sitting the required exams.
The PRINCE2 method involves adopting a standardised managerial approach with set roles and responsibilities for each team member. It suggests dividing up each project into smaller plans for different teams. Doing this helps to eliminate any ambiguity which might lead to inefficiencies. It simplifies the process of project planning by breaking it up into manageable chunks and is a genuinely useful skill for project management professionals.
How to get a PRINCE2 certification
If you’re interested in developing your managerial skills, you may have wondered how to get a PRINCE2 certification. Below are the components of PRINCE2 exams divided into two levels, foundation and practitioner:
- Complete a PRINCE2 Foundation level exam
The first step to getting a PRINCE2 certification is to complete the Foundation level exam, which focuses on theoretical training in the planning, managing and delivery of projects. The exam is one hour long, with an additional 30 minutes available if the test isn’t in your native language. It’s taken on either a computer or on paper and is a ‘closed book’ exam, meaning that you cannot refer to additional sources during the test. The exam consists of 60 multiple-choice questions, where you pick one of four options. The required pass score is 55%. - Complete a PRINCE2 Practitioner level exam
The PRINCE2 Practitioner exam is more complex than the Foundation exam, as you develop the knowledge you previously acquired. You can also take it either on a computer or on paper, but it has a much longer allotted time of two hours and 30 minutes, with an extra 30 minutes permitted if you’re taking the exam in a non-native language. You’re allowed to consult a set textbook during the test, which consists of 68 questions. The questions are multiple-choice, but they also develop into multiple-answer questions based on real-life scenarios. The required pass score is 55%. - Complete PRINCE2 Agile level exams
This level of exam isn’t as important as the previous two in terms of gaining managerial employment, but it provides an opportunity for potential candidates to further develop their knowledge. This level focuses on how you can use the PRINCE2 method in the context of any project with forms of agile delivery. This level is further divided into Foundation and Practitioner levels, respectively allowing the exam taker to learn the required theory and practice of agile PRINCE2 methods.
Do you need any training to take a PRINCE2 exam?
You don’t need official training to take a PRINCE2 exam. Depending on your managerial experience, it may be possible to take the exam without completing a structured training course, although knowledge of the PRINCE2 methodology is essential. You can study this yourself or take a course. There’s no mandated form of training, though if you’re interested in taking the exams, you may want to ask a manager for any recommended resources.
Requirements for each level
There are no prerequisites for the PRINCE2 Foundation or PRINCE2 Agile Foundation exams. All you require is the knowledge to answer the questions. For the PRINCE2 Practitioner and PRINCE2 Agile Practitioner, the prerequisite is to have already passed either the PRINCE2 Foundation, International Project Management Association (IPMA), Project Management Professional (PMP) or Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) exams.
The PRINCE2 Foundation certificate is valid indefinitely. To remain valid, both PRINCE2 Practitioner and PRINCE2 Agile Practitioner certification holders take the re-registration exams every three to five years to prove that they’re still operating at an acceptable professional standard.
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