APMG Change Management Foundation
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ExploreAbout this exam
The APMG Change Management Foundation certification is an entry-level qualification for anyone involved in organisational change, developed by APMG International in partnership with the Change Management Institute, a not-for-profit association established in 2005 to advance the practice and profession of change management. It is aimed at current and aspiring change managers, project managers and their teams, specialists who are regularly involved in change such as HR, communications and learning and development professionals, and managers and decision-makers responsible for leading teams through change.
The Foundation syllabus covers how change affects individuals, the organisational context in which change happens, stakeholder strategy, communication and engagement, assessing change impact, and building change readiness. Foundation is the first of three levels, followed by Practitioner and Practitioner Re-Registration.
Preparation is flexible. You can study through an APMG Accredited Training Organization in a classroom, a virtual classroom or self-paced e-learning, or you can self-study by purchasing the exam and accessing the official study guide. APMG also provides a free Change Management sample exam that is automatically marked. APMG reports that 100,000 exams have been sat in over 95 countries, and that 98% of surveyed learners said the training made them better at managing change.
What you'll study
About APMG Change Management Foundation preparation
Do I have to attend a training course to sit the Foundation exam?
No. Training is advised, but APMG offers a self-study route: you buy the exam, then receive instructions by email on how to access the study guide online or download a copy. Accredited Training Organizations also deliver classroom, virtual classroom and self-paced e-learning options and will guide you through exam arrangements.
How long does the Foundation certification last?
It does not expire. APMG states that the Change Management Foundation examination does not expire, so once you pass you keep the qualification without any re-registration requirement. The renewal rules that apply to Practitioner level do not apply to Foundation.
What is the difference between Foundation and Practitioner?
Foundation is the entry level, aimed at becoming an effective team member involved in organisational change projects. Practitioner is for people who want to be recognised as a dependable manager of organisational change, and lets you demonstrate that you can apply Foundation-level knowledge in a work situation.
How long is the Practitioner certification valid?
Candidates who pass the Practitioner exam are recognised as Change Management Registered Practitioners and remain Registered for a period of 5 years. A separate Practitioner Re-Registration exam exists to maintain that Registered status.
When must I take the Practitioner Re-Registration exam?
Practitioners must complete and pass the Re-Registration examination within 3-5 years following their initial or previous Practitioner certification. APMG describes this as falling between the third and fifth year after initial certification, and it verifies ongoing competence and knowledge in change management.
What happens if I miss the re-registration window?
After the 5-year validity period your certification remains valid, but you lose the Registered Practitioner designation. To regain Registered status you must retake and pass the full Practitioner exam, not the shorter Re-Registration paper.
Which languages are the exams available in?
The Change Management examinations are available in English, French, German, Polish, Spanish and Brazilian Portuguese. Note that the study guide has its own language list, which does not match the exam list exactly, so check availability with your training provider or APMG before booking.
How long is the typical course?
The typical duration of a course is 3 days for Foundation level and 2 days for Practitioner. Delivery can be in person, in a virtual classroom or through self-paced e-learning, and self-study is an alternative for those who prefer to prepare independently.
What study materials should I use?
The APMG Change Management Study Guide is the main publication for the Change Management v3 course and certification. It is available exclusively to candidates enrolled with an Accredited Training Provider or registered for a public exam with APMG. APMG also provides free sample exam papers through its sample exams site.
What is the best order to study the two levels?
Take Foundation first. It gives you the models and techniques that Practitioner assumes, and the Practitioner level is designed to show you can apply Foundation-level knowledge in a real work situation. Attempting Practitioner before Foundation leaves you without the vocabulary the scenario questions rely on.