What Might Licensing Look Like?
It is important to recognize that regional certification or chartered status is a topic under debate in several countries. We think it is worthwhile to keep it simple. For example, as a simple conceptual model for consideration, could there be three global classification levels as follows, with specialized areas of focus. For convenience, let's call them "Licensed Project Manager" (LPM) or "Chartered Project Manager" (CPM) if you prefer, with a suffix indicating the "Area of Project Management Application". Thus we have: LPM-Information Technology, LPM-Construction and so on. The table below, in two parts because of space limitations, uses LPM as the example acronym:
Acronym: |
Name: |
Type: |
Training: |
Testing: |
LPM(T)- |
Trainee Licensed Project Manager |
Issued to anyone working in project management while working to meet the requirements of the LPM |
None Required |
Pass 50 question multiple choice exam |
LPM- |
Licensed Project Manager |
Issued to anyone working in project management meeting minimum licensing standards |
None Required - but recommended |
Pass 150 question multiple choice exam |
MLPM- |
Master Licensed Project Manager |
Issued to anyone working in project management meeting minimum "master" licensing standards |
None Required - but recommended |
Pass oral board review and be recommended |
Figure 1: Suggested licensing structure - Part 1
Acronym: |
Experience: |
Other: |
Renewal: |
LPMT(T)- |
None |
Meet requirements of a background check |
None |
LPM- |
Documented 10,000 hours (5 years).
Certification & credential requirements can count along with employment verification. |
Meet requirements of a background check.
Recommendation by employer (notarized). |
Every 5 years.
Can be revoked by Judge or Court if found incompetent. |
MLPM- |
Documented 30,000 hours (15+ years).
Certification & credential requirements can count along with employment verification. |
Meet requirements of a background check.
No pending litigation
Recommendation by employer (notarized). |
None - good for life except if revoked by Judge or Court for incompetence . |
Figure 2: Suggested licensing structure - Part 2
Perhaps regional certification is also advisable. We know that some organizations are considering such measures.
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Points For and Against Licensing Project Managers
