The Differences of PMP Certification and IPMP Certification

 

Different Certification-Issuing Institutions

The PMP certification exam is initiated and launched by PMI, Project Management Institute. It is a global exam. The IPMP certification exam is set up by IPMA, International Project Management Association. It mainly targets European countries and regions.

 

Different Certification Scope

Though IPMA has been set up earlier than PMI, it has a smaller international influence. So far PMP exam has been launched in 185 countries in the world. In 1999, the PMP exam was the first to acquire ISO9006 International Quality Approval while IPMP is only conducted in 40 or so countries, mainly in European countries. Viewing from the number of certificate holders and members, PMI far exceeds IPMA and other project management professional institutions.

Domestic Introduction Agencies Are Different

PMI PMP certification is introduced by the State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs directly governed by the state council while IPMP is introduced by Project Management Research Committee which is a secondary institution.

Certification Approaches Are Different

This difference affects the value of certifications. PMP adopts the globally unified certification mode established by PMI. It has a unified standard and issues unified certificates. Thus, PMP is highly valuable. In contrast, IPMP exam questions are different based on one country’s domestic condition. Due to the unbalanced regional development, it is hard to unify IPMP exam questions, which diminishes its authority. 

Apart from in some developed countries and regions like North and South America, Australia, and Asian-Pacific regions, PMP is also an important criterion to evaluate talents in Japan, Korea and other countries.

In short, it is better to take the PMP exam because it can be widely applied with high recognition and value.

PMP lasts two and a half hours covering 200 optional questions. The PMP question bank is offered, so you can take a full SPOTO PMP exam prep. In general, passing the exam is relatively easy. While the advanced exam of IPMP consists of 75 optional questions you should do in the morning and 3 case analyses and a paper to write (around 2500 to 3000 words) in the afternoon. 

Besides, you also need to take an interview. You cannot pass the exam if you fail one subject. As we can see, IPMP is more difficult putting more emphasis on practice.
An Overall Comparison

PMP, Project Management Professional

1. Certification issuing institute: PMI, Project Management Institute
2. Exam and certification organizer: PMI
3. No classification of exam level
4. Exam language: 9 auxiliary languages and both Chinese and English in the mainland of China
5. Exam form: Written exam
6. Initiating time in China: 2000
7. Certification scope: 200 more countries worldwide
8. Certification approach: A unified global exam
9. Domestic introduction agency: State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs

IPMP, International Project Management Professional

1. Certification issuing institute: IPMA, International Project Management Association
2. Exam and certification organizer: IPMA China Certification Management Body
3. Exam level: Four levels (A/B/C/D)
4. Exam language: Official language of the domestic country
5. Exam form: A written exam and interview
6. Initiating time in China: 2001
7. Certification scope: 30-40 countries in Europe
8. Certification approach: Based on a country’s domestic condition
9. Domestic introduction agency: Project Management Research Committee

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