Important news regarding your PeopleCert certification

As from this year, 2023,  PeopleCert qualifications will need to be renewed every three years to remain current. This is whether the certificate candidates hold is foundation or practitioner level (whichever is higher). There are also some additional options of how you, as a candidate can re-register, recertify and renew your current status. 

The certifications that are affected

If you hold any of the below qualifications (regardless of the level at which you hold them), or are considering taking any of them, then this article applies to you:

• PRINCE2® 5th and 6th

• PRINCE2® Agile

• MSP® 4th and 5th

• M_o_R® 3rd and 4th

• MoP®

• P3O®

• MoV®

• AgileSHIFT®

• RESILIA®

• ITIL® 4

The changes to re accreditation

In a nutshell, to hold on to your current status of either foundation or practitioner, the following timelines will need to be adhered to:

• If you certified before 30 June 2020: you will have until 1 July 2023 to renew your certification, regardless of the original award date.

• If you certified after June 2020: you will have to renew your certification(s) within three years of the original award date. The date specified is exactly three years from the date that you sat your exam.

New ways to renew / qualify

Although some of the most popular PeopleCert approaches, such as MSP® and PRINCE2®, have already implemented a 3 year practitioner recertification window, this will now apply to all PeopleCert certifications, at all levels.

The current re-registration / re-certification process

What are my options for remaining current?

1. You can retake your exam when its current status runs out after three years, based on the above timescales.

2. You can take an ‘alternative’ course from the relevant PeopleCert product suite before your renewal date is up, providing this sits within the same product category. For example, ‘project, programme and portfolio management’.

PeopleCert will be issuing a third option to candidates based on the PeopleCert Continued Professional Development scheme. Details of which have not yet been released. This CPD scheme differs to the MyAxelos CPD scheme which candidates can still continue to log.  

Why the changes?

• Candidates stay competitive with current and relevant industry and best practice skills, knowledge, ideas and learning.

• Grow career advancement opportunities and stay ahead in a competitive job market.

• Demonstrate commitment to upskilling to current and future employers.

• Improve productivity and efficiency.

• Elevate personal brand and enhance professional resume.

 *PeopleCert 2023

If you are looking to renew your PeopleCert qualification soon please take a look at our practitioner re-registration options 

Frequently Asked Questions

       1. At the time I sat my Foundation exam there was no renewal stamp. Do the new rules apply to me?

Yes. The changes affect everyone that has taken PeopleCert qualification. Take a look at the dates above to see when you need to re-certify.

2. I hold Foundation & Practitioner status for my certifications. Do I need to re certify for both?

No. You only need to re certify whichever is the higher level. This will automatically renew the lower level certificate you hold.

3. I don’t know what date I took my original exam so I’m not sure when I need to renew by?

If you took your exam before 30^th June 2020 then you will have until 1^st July 2023 to renew this. If you took it after this time you will need to check your PeopleCert account which should now contain a renewal date for your exam.

4. I don’t want to sit another exam as I understood that my exam had no renewal stamp at the time. What happens in this case?

You will still remain on the PeopleCert Successful Candidates Register but your certification will not be classed as current.

5. I am qualified in foundation and practitioner level. If I lapse with my Practitioner status does this mean that I will need to take both levels again to remain current?

No, because your foundation level would not be classed as current but if you re certify for practitioner (even at a later date) then your foundation will also be classed as current, so, please don't panic if you are close to the deadline.

6. What about the 2^nd option? Does this mean that if I am for example, PRINCE2® Foundation qualified I can choose to take another level or course and remain current in PRINCE2®? And what if I take a different course in 3 more years? Do all the certifications remain current?

Yes. Here is an example of how this will work:

2023 Candidate is PRINCE2® Foundation qualified and wishes to take another certification to retain their current status. They can choose any of the following:

1. Another Foundation level within the Project, Programme, Portfolio Suite (see below for product suites) i.e. MSP®.
2. A Practitioner level in either PRINCE2® or PRINCE2 Agile® (for which PRINCE2® Foundation is a pre-requisite).
3. Or, just a re-sit of PRINCE2® Foundation.

2026 candidate has chosen to take PRINCE2 Agile® Practitioner for example and now wishes to take another certification to remain current. They can:

1. Sit another foundation level in the product suite.
2. Sit PRINCE2® Practitioner as they are still PRINCE2® Foundation qualified or
3. Simply re-sit their PRINCE2 Agile® and remain current in this and PRINCE2® Foundation.

2029 candidate wishes to renew their current status again and currently holds PRINCE2® Foundation, PRINCE2 Agile® Practitioner and MSP® Foundation. Candidate can now:

1. Re-sit PRINCE2 Agile® Practitioner as this is the most senior level
2. Sit MSP® Practitioner certification or
3. Sit a new foundation level within the same product suite.

This will retain the current status the candidate holds in all of their certifications.

7. What are the product suites mentioned above?

• ITIL® 4 Product Suite: All ITIL® 4 certifications
• Project, Programme & Portfolio Management Product Suite: PRINCE2®, PRINCE2® Agile, MoR®, MSP®, MoV®, MoP®, P3O®
• AgileSHIFT® Product Suite: All AgileSHIFT® certifcations
• RESILIA® Product Suite: All RESILIA® certifications

Please be aware that practitioner certifications will still require the relevant foundation pre-requisite to be valid.

8. I log my CPD points under the MyAxelos scheme. Can I still continue to do this?

Yes you can and the status that this earns you for your certification will not be affected.

9. What about the 3^rd PeopleCert option gaining points under the PeopleCert CPD scheme.

There will be a new scheme introduced by PeoplCert but details about this have not yet been released.

10. Can I use option 2 to follow the Propath study route?

Yes. Propath certifications all come under the Project, Programme and Portfolio Product suite.

If you have any questions on any of the points above please do not hesitate to contact a member of our team on:

01202 736 373

Sales@spoce.com