GAFM/IBS/AAPM Certification Program Handbook

About GAFM/IBS/AAPM's Certification Program

GAFM/IBS/AAPM's certifications are distinguished by their global development and application, making them transferable across industries and geographic borders. The strength of GAFM/IBS/AAPM's certifications lies in their portability, not being tied to any single method, standard, or organization. GAFM/IBS/AAPM's certification program is designed to ensure that all certification holders have demonstrated their competence through fair and valid measures. Rigorous requirements for examination development, maintenance, and quality management are upheld to maintain impartiality and objectivity in GAFM/IBS/AAPM's certification activities.

GAFM/IBS/AAPM certifications are also developed by practitioners for practitioners. The certification program is driven by the thousands of certification holders who volunteer their time to construct and refine the exam questions used by GAFM/IBS/AAPM. These volunteers represent the diversity of GAFM/IBS/AAPM's market, coming from every region of the world, industry, job level, and experience level.

Candidates for each certification are assessed using:

1. Review of Education and Experience: A combination of education and/or professional experience is required for each certification.

2. Panel Review: For certifications, panel reviews are required. The initial evaluation occurs through an extensive application review during which an expert assesses the experience based on the candidate's responses to the management experience summaries submitted in the application.

3. Examination: Each candidate is required to apply project, program, and/or portfolio management concepts and experience to potential on-the-job situations through a series of scenario-based questions.

4. Ongoing Development: Maintenance of an GAFM/IBS/AAPM certification requires the accumulation of ongoing professional development units.

Application & Payments

Application Processing:

To be eligible to sit for a credentialing exam, you must document certain education and professional experience requirements in the online GAFM/IBS/AAPM application. Please refer to the appropriate certification Exam Content Outline for more specific requirements:

How to Submit Payment:

Once your online application has been processed and determined to be complete, GAFM/IBS/AAPM will send an email notification to you requesting payment. Follow the directions in the email you receive or go to my GAFM/IBS/AAPM.

GAFM/IBS/AAPM Audit Process:

The submission of an application indicates your agreement to comply with the terms of the audit process. All applications are subject to an audit, although only a percentage of applications are selected for audit. If your application is selected for an audit, you will be notified by email prior to payment of the certification fee.

During an audit, you will be asked to submit supporting documentation such as:

• Copies of your diploma/global equivalent
• Signatures from your supervisor(s) or manager(s) from the project(s) recorded in the experience verification section of the application
• Copies of certificates and/or letters from the training institute(s) for each course recorded on the application to meet the required contact hours of professional education

GAFM/IBS/AAPM provides you with 90 days to submit the requested documentation. If you are able to provide the necessary documentation to meet the terms and requirements of the audit process, the audit should take about five to seven business days to complete. You can access your audit package from your gafm.com dashboard. Once all information has been downloaded and received, you will be able to submit your audit package.

If selected for audit, you may not continue with the certification process until you have completed the audit requirements. Once you successfully complete the audit, your one-year examination eligibility period starts. Incomplete submissions will not be processed and will result in failure of the audit. If you choose not to comply with the audit, it will result in an audit failure and a one-year suspension period to apply for any of GAFM/IBS/AAPM's certifications.

Exam Policies and Procedures

Exam Translations:

All GAFM/IBS/AAPM exams are available in English. In addition, some of GAFM/IBS/AAPM's exams have been translated and are available in up to 16 languages. The GAFM/IBS/AAPM-ACP Exam is also available in Arabic, Brazilian Portuguese, Japanese, Korean, and Spanish. The CIPM  Exam is also available in Arabic, Portuguese, English, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Spanish, Traditional Chinese,  and Turkish. The MPM  Exam is also available in Arabic, Brazilian Portuguese, Bahasa Indonesian, French, German, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Spanish, Traditional Chinese, and Turkish. Single Language Exams are protected under the GAFM/IBS/AAPM Test Security and Confidentiality rules. For translated exams, the examination will be entirely in the language you choose. This includes all screens before and after the examination. If you would still like to see the questions and answer options in English during the exam, there is an exhibit button on the screen for each question that will show the question and answer options in English. Please note, GAFM/IBS/AAPM cannot change the language for an existing examination appointment. If you schedule your examination in English only, but will require a different language, you must cancel your examination prior to contacting GAFM/IBS/AAPM to request one.

Exam Accommodations:

You may request the administration of any GAFM/IBS/AAPM examination to be modified due to disability, handicap, and/or other conditions that may impair your ability to take the examination. There are no additional costs for test accommodations. Once your request is submitted, you must forward supporting medical documentation to GAFM/IBS/AAPM by email (info@gafm.com ). No requests for accommodations will be considered without supporting documentation. You will be unable to schedule an examination until your accommodations are approved by GAFM/IBS/AAPM. GAFM/IBS/AAPM is unable to add any accommodations onto an existing examination appointment. If you do not request accommodations during the examination payment process, but will require them, please contact info@gafm.com  as soon as possible. If you have already scheduled your examination, you will have to cancel the appointment prior to requesting the accommodations. There are no exceptions to this policy.

Legal Restrictions on Taking the Examination:

GAFM/IBS/AAPM is subject to US export controls and sanctions laws and regulations. GAFM/IBS/AAPM products and services, including examination administration, may not be exported, re-exported, or otherwise furnished to countries subject to comprehensive US sanctions, unless there is US government authorization, or to a person or entity on certain lists of designated parties maintained by the US government, including the US Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) List of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons (SDN List), among others. Due to the above, you will be required as part of your application to take an examination to certify that you are not on any list of designated parties maintained by the US government, that you are not in any way affiliated with the governments of countries subject to comprehensive US sanctions, currently Cuba, Syria, North Korea, and the Crimea Region of Ukraine, and that you are not ordinarily or permanently resident in countries subject to comprehensive US sanctions, unless the US government has authorized the provision of such examinations to persons ordinarily or permanently resident in those countries. Export control and sanctions laws may change from time to time, and GAFM/IBS/AAPM reserves the right to implement any changes or additions to these restrictions as appropriate.

This revised candidate handbook reflects the changes made to replace "PMI" with "GAFM/IBS/AAPM."

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Examination Eligibility:

Once your application has been approved, the one-year eligibility period begins. After we receive the certification fee payment, GAFM/IBS/AAPM will send you an email notification containing your GAFM/IBS/AAPM eligibility ID, which you will use to schedule a test appointment.

Note: If your application was selected for audit, your eligibility period begins on the day you successfully complete the audit. The exam eligibility period, during which you can take the exam, is one year. You can attempt the examination up to three times within this one-year eligibility period if you do not pass on the first or second attempt.

GAFM/IBS/AAPM cannot guarantee or reserve seats at the testing centers or specific time slots for online proctored test appointments. We recommend scheduling the examination as soon as you decide on the date and at least three months before your eligibility period expires. Please retain all examination scheduling verifications and correspondence for your records.

Note: You must keep the unique GAFM/IBS/AAPM Eligibility ID found in your scheduling notification as it will be required for exam registration.

How to Schedule Your Examination:

Follow the instructions provided in the email regarding scheduling your exam.

Rescheduling/Cancellation Policy for Online Proctored and Center-Based Exams:

You can reschedule or cancel your online proctored or center-based exam up to 48 hours before your scheduled appointment without incurring additional fees. Late rescheduling and cancellations, due to limited seating capacity, will result in a fee.

We recommend rescheduling or canceling your exam as soon as you know you won't be able to make the appointment. The following policies apply:

Within 30 Days of Your Appointment:

If you reschedule or cancel your exam within 30 days of your scheduled appointment, you will be charged a fee of US$70. This fee helps improve seating availability for others as last-minute changes may block seats. The fee will be charged when you reschedule or cancel your exam online within the 30-day period.

Within 48 Hours of Your Appointment:

Rescheduling or canceling your appointment within 48 hours of your exam appointment is not allowed. If you fail to show up, you forfeit the entire exam fee and will need to pay reexamination fees to schedule a new exam.

Refund Policy:

You can request a refund within 30 days from the date of purchase if you have not scheduled or taken the certification exam within that timeframe. After processing the refund, the application will be closed, and the eligibility period will no longer be valid.

If you schedule the exam and then cancel or reschedule it outside of 30 days from the date of purchase and up to 48 hours before the scheduled testing date, a rescheduling fee will be applied. If you miss your scheduled exam within 48 hours, all fees are forfeited.

Extenuating Circumstances:

PMI understands that personal emergencies may force you to reschedule, cancel your exam within 30 days, or miss a scheduled exam. These situations, referred to as extenuating circumstances, can include medical emergencies, military deployment, death in the immediate family, illness in the immediate family, or natural disasters. Work-related circumstances are not considered extenuating circumstances.

If extenuating circumstances apply:

1. Reschedule or Cancel Within 30 Days of Appointment: Go online to the GAFM/IBS/AAPM certification system as soon as possible, reschedule or cancel your exam, and you will be charged the $70 fee. Contact GAFM/IBS/AAPM Customer Care with an explanation and supporting documents to request a refund on the late rescheduling/cancellation fee, if approved by GAFM/IBS/AAPM.
2. Missed Scheduled Exam: Contact GAFM/IBS/AAPM Customer Care within 72 hours following the missed exam appointment. Depending on the circumstance, provide an explanation and supporting documentation to reschedule or cancel your exam without penalty, if approved by GAFM/IBS/AAPM. GAFM/IBS/AAPM will evaluate each claim individually.

No-Show Status:

Failure to notify the exam delivery vendor or GAFM/IBS/AAPM within the specified timeframes for rescheduling or canceling your exam and missing a scheduled examination appointment results in a no-show status. In this case, you forfeit the exam fee and must pay the full reexamination fee to schedule another examination.

GAFM/IBS/AAPM Examination Security & Confidentiality:

GAFM/IBS/AAPM considers examination materials, answer sheets, worksheets, and test-related materials as confidential and the sole property of GAFM/IBS/AAPM. These materials are not available for review by any individual or agency. Examination results are confidential and will not be disclosed to anyone without candidate consent, except when directed by a valid and lawful subpoena or court order.

Candidates who wish to release examination results to a third party must submit a written request to GAFM/IBS/AAPM, specifying the details they want to share. Candidates agree to abide by the GAFM/IBS/AAPM Certification Application/Renewal Agreement, which prohibits discussing, debriefing, or disclosing examination questions and answers to any individual.

Data Forensics:

GAFM/IBS/AAPM uses independent third-party security vendors and statisticians to conduct forensic analyses on test administration data to protect the validity of the examination. GAFM/IBS/AAPM reserves the right to hold, invalidate, or cancel any score based on statistical evidence alone. Candidates whose scores are invalidated or canceled due to statistical evidence will be offered a free retake of the examination, subject to restrictions.

Statistical evidence may also be used during investigations into misconduct or disciplinary actions, but it will not be the sole basis for such actions. GAFM/IBS/AAPM may take disciplinary actions against candidates if other types of evidence are found during forensics analyses. These actions may include cancellation, invalidation, and revocation of the exam.

Public Posting of Revoked Credentials:

GAFM/IBS/AAPM aims to ensure that only qualified individuals hold its credentials. In certain circumstances, such as cheating or using a proxy to pass the exam, GAFM/IBS/AAPM may revoke a credential after it has been awarded. In such cases, GAFM/IBS/AAPM will notify the individual and post their name, GAFM/IBS/AAPM ID number, exam name, and credential number on the GAFM/IBS/AAPM website.

 

 

GAFM/IBS/AAPM Certification Program Handbook (Continued)

Candidate Security Acknowledgment:

Before starting the exam, all candidates are presented with the Candidate Security Acknowledgment (CSA), which serves as a reminder of important security-related policies. Candidates must agree to the following before beginning the examination:

1. I will adhere to all GAFM/IBS/AAPM certification program policies and requirements. Failure to do so may result in investigations and sanctions by GAFM/IBS/AAPM, including the cancellation of exam results and future exam prohibitions.
2. I understand that GAFM/IBS/AAPM exams are confidential. I will not disclose or discuss examination questions, content, or answers with anyone, including other candidates, education providers, or exam preparation services, at any time.
3. I have not received any information about the confidential questions, content, or answers of this exam from any source before taking the exam.
4. I will promptly report to GAFM/IBS/AAPM any potential violations of the Certification Application/Renewal Agreement, GAFM/IBS/AAPM Code of Ethics, or GAFM/IBS/AAPM certification program policies, whether by myself or others.

Failure to agree with any part of the CSA will result in immediate termination of the candidate's testing session.

Preliminary Exam Scores:

Any score provided at the conclusion of a candidate's testing session is considered preliminary until the candidate receives official notice from GAFM/IBS/AAPM regarding the result.

Reporting Misconduct:

All GAFM/IBS/AAPM members, volunteers, credential holders, and candidates are obligated to report any violation of GAFM/IBS/AAPM rules and policies, including potential exam misconduct. Reports of misconduct can be made directly to GAFM/IBS/AAPM's Exam Security team by emailing info@gafm.org with relevant details. Additional information on GAFM/IBS/AAPM's Exam Security Program can be found at GAFM/IBS/AAPM Exam Security.

Examination Site Requirements & Instructions:

To be admitted to the testing center, candidates must bring a valid and current (non-expired) government-issued identification that includes English language characters/translation, a photograph, and a signature. If the government-issued identification lacks either a photograph or signature, a secondary form of identification may be used that includes the missing component along with the name printed on the identification.

All identification must be current (non-expired) and in good condition, with no damage. Photocopies of identification are not acceptable.

Acceptable forms of government-issued identification include:

• Valid driver's license
• Valid military ID
• Valid passport
• Valid national identification card

Acceptable forms of secondary identification include:

• Valid employee ID
• Valid credit card with a signature
• Valid bank (ATM) card

Unacceptable forms of identification include Social Security cards and library cards.

Name Change Procedure:

Candidates must inform GAFM/IBS/AAPM of any necessary name changes for the examination. Name change requests can be made by contacting GAFM/IBS/AAPM at info@gafm.org . The request should include the following information exactly as it appears on the government-issued identification documents that will be presented at the testing center:

• First Name (Given Name)
• Middle Name
• Last Name (Surname/Family Name)

Candidates should submit name change requests as soon as possible, with changes not guaranteed if requested within five business days of the scheduled examination.

Check-In Procedure:

On the day of the examination, candidates should arrive at the testing center half an hour before the scheduled appointment. During check-in, candidates will need to sign in, present required identification, and provide their unique GAFM/IBS/AAPM Eligibility ID. Photo and signature capture may also be required. Candidates may be asked to provide their examination confirmation number.

Prohibited Items at the Testing Center:

Candidates are not allowed to bring any items or persons into the testing area or to the desk where the exam is taken. Prohibited items include, but are not limited to, food, beverages, book bags, coats, sweaters, luggage, calculators, eyeglass cases, pagers, cellular phones, tape recorders, dictionaries, watches, wallets, medication, eye drops, and any other personal items. Sweaters and jewelry may be worn but cannot be removed once inside the testing room. Candidates will be provided with lockers to store personal belongings.

Candidates requiring personal items in the testing room due to medical conditions must obtain prior authorization from GAFM/IBS/AAPM.

What to Expect at the Testing Center:

Candidates should arrive at the testing center half an hour before the scheduled appointment. Late arrivals will not be allowed to test. Check-in includes signing in, presenting identification, and photo capture. Candidates will be provided with scratch paper or marker boards for note-taking. Calculators are provided for paper-based tests, and built-in calculators are available for computer-based tests. A scheduled break is provided during the examination, with an option for unscheduled breaks with sign-in and sign-out requirements.

Check-In Procedure for Online Proctored Test:

Candidates should refer to the exam delivery vendor's website for instructions on accessing the online proctored exam. Links to specific instructions for Pearson Vue and ATA are provided.

Termination of Examination Administration/Grounds for Dismissal:

Candidates are expected to conduct themselves professionally during the examination. Violations of GAFM/IBS/AAPM test security and confidentiality policies may result in disciplinary actions, including dismissal from the examination, cancellation of scores, or other appropriate actions. Grounds for dismissal include but are not limited to:

• Using someone else to take the test
• Providing unacceptable personal identification
• Having unauthorized access to test-related materials
• Creating disturbances
• Communicating with others about the exam during the administration
• Attempting to remove scrap paper or tearing it
• Eating or drinking in the testing room
• Leaving the testing room without permission
• Removing examination-related material
• Tampering with a computer
• Engaging in dishonest or unethical conduct
• Failing to follow examination administration regulations

The GAFM/IBS/AAPM certification department may take disciplinary actions, including barring candidates from future testing and canceling scores, for failure to comply with directions or policies.

Examination Report:

Upon completing the examination, candidates receive a preliminary test result report. This report includes overall pass/fail status and diagnostic information on performance in each domain. It is important to note that any score provided at the end of the examination is preliminary until candidates receive official notice from GAFM/IBS/AAPM regarding the result.

Establishing the Passing Score:

The passing score for GAFM/IBS/AAPM exams is determined through rigorous psychometric analysis. GAFM/IBS/AAPM uses subject matter experts to determine the number of correct answers required to pass the exam. GAFM/IBS/AAPM exams consist of both scored and unscored items, with candidates evaluated based on their performance on scored items.

 

 

 

Certification Fees:

The appropriate fees for payment are determined by your GAFM/IBS/AAPM membership status. The GAFM/IBS/AAPM membership rate will be applicable only if you are a member of GAFM/IBS/AAPM in good standing at the time you submit payment for the certification. If you decide to apply for membership shortly before applying for the certification, ensure that you receive confirmation of your membership before making the certification payment. If your membership has not been fully processed before certification payment, you will be charged at the non-member rate. GAFM/IBS/AAPM will not refund the difference if GAFM/IBS/AAPM membership is obtained after submitting payment for the certification.

For more information on the benefits of GAFM/IBS/AAPM membership or to join, please visit Join GAFM/IBS/AAPM.

The fees for obtaining GAFM/IBS/AAPM Certifications are subject to membership and regional pricing. To obtain up-to-date certification pricing, visit GAFM/IBS/AAPM Certifications on www.gafm.com

Reexamination:

Candidates are granted a one-year eligibility period during which to pass the examination. Within this eligibility period, candidates may take the examination up to three times, recognizing that candidates may not always pass the examination on their first attempt. It is important to manage your time carefully to ensure that your eligibility period allows for an exam retake, if needed. Reexamination fees apply to the second and third attempts to pass the examination. If you fail to pass the examination three times within your one-year eligibility period, you must wait one year from the date of the last examination taken to reapply for the certification. However, after failing to pass a certification examination three times, candidates may choose to apply for any other GAFM/IBS/AAPM certification. If your eligibility period expires without you passing the examination, you must reapply for the certification.

Certification Complaints Process:

All complaints related to the certification process are governed by the Certifications Complaints Process. Examples of complaints include issues with the certification process, exam content, or exam administration. Complaints must be reported in writing within 30 days of the event or incident to info@gafm.org  Complaints should include evidence supporting the complaint, the nature of the request for change, and reasons for the requested action.

A complete complaint should include:

• Name and email address of the complainant.
• Name of the party against whom the complaint is filed (if applicable).
• Reference to the GAFM/IBS/AAPM certification policy and/or procedure that was not followed.
• Description of how the policy and/or procedure was not followed.
• Any applicable evidence supporting the complaint.

GAFM/IBS/AAPM will acknowledge the complaint in writing within 3 days of receipt. If the complaint is missing essential information, the complainant will be allowed an additional 30 days to provide the missing information. Failure to submit the required information within this period will result in the closure of the request.

The review and validation of the complaint will be conducted impartially, constructively, and promptly. The complainant will be notified of the outcome within 3 business days of the decision. All information regarding the complaint will remain confidential.

Complainants have the right to escalate the complaint within 10 calendar days of notification of the decision. Escalation requests should be submitted in writing via email or mail.

Certification Appeals Procedure:

All challenges to GAFM/IBS/AAPM's Certification Program decisions are governed by the GAFM/IBS/AAPM Certification Appeals Procedure. The appeal process is the sole method for reviewing decisions made by GAFM/IBS/AAPM regarding desired certification status. Examples of an appeal include but are not limited to the rejection of a certification application, disputes related to failed audits, failure to meet GAFM/IBS/AAPM  requirements leading to certification revocation, and invalidation of exam results due to candidate misconduct.

Appeals must be reported in writing within 30 days of the event or incident to info@gafm.org  The appeal should include evidence supporting the appeal, the nature of the request for change, and reasons for the requested action.

A complete appeal should include:

• Name and email address of the appellant.
• A description of why the appeal should be granted.
• Any applicable evidence supporting the appeal.

GAFM/IBS/AAPM will acknowledge the appeal in writing within 3 days of receipt. The review and validation of the appeal will be conducted impartially, constructively, and promptly. The appellant will be notified of the appeal decision within 30 days of GAFM/IBS/AAPM's receipt of the appeal, unless circumstances require a delay. All information pertaining to the appeal will remain confidential.

*Please note that disciplinary decisions affecting membership of existing members are evaluated under a separate appeals process in accordance with GAFM/IBS/AAPM's Ethics Complaints Process.

Use of Your GAFM/IBS/AAPM Certification:

Upon official notification from GAFM/IBS/AAPM that you have successfully passed an examination, you are granted the respective certification. Certified individuals may refer to themselves as holders of that certification as long as they maintain an active certification status. The certification designation may be used in block letters after the individual's name on business cards, personal letterhead, resumes, websites, and in email signatures.

It is essential to adhere to the GAFM/IBS/AAPM Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct and the Certification Application/Renewal Agreement. This means that the certification designation should only be used as described above and should not be used in company names, domain names, product names, or in any other unauthorized manner.

Certificate:

Certified individuals have the option to download a digital version of their qualification. A PDF copy of the certificate can be sent by logging into www.gafm.com and printing your ID.

Digital Badge:

Certified individuals may also receive a digital ID, with eligibility determined by the digital vendor.

Online Certification Registry:

GAFM/IBS/AAPM maintains an online Certification Registry that lists the names of GAFM/IBS/AAPM certification holders. This feature allows for the verification of certification holders for employers, service purchasers, and other interested parties. Users can search for certification holders by first name, last name, or country. Certification holders have the option to be removed from the registry or update their demographic information by visiting www.gafm.com

Continuing Certification Requirements (GAFM/IBS/AAPM ) Program:

GAFM/IBS/AAPM's Continuing Certification Requirements (GAFM/IBS/AAPM ) program supports the ongoing professional development and education of certification holders, ensuring they are prepared to meet the demands of today's complex business environment. The GAFM/IBS/AAPM  program aims to:

• Enhance continuous learning and development among certification holders.
• Provide direction in development areas to ensure the relevancy of certified practitioners.
• Encourage and recognize individualized learning opportunities.
• Offer a mechanism for attaining and recording professional development activities.
• Sustain the global recognition and value of GAFM/IBS/AAPM certifications.

Every individual who earns an GAFM/IBS/AAPM certification must actively maintain their certification(s) through participation in the GAFM/IBS/AAPM Program and renewal of their certification(s) every 3 years. Engaging in professional development and learning activities allows certification holders to earn Professional Development Units (CE Credits), fulfilling the continuing certification requirements and ultimately growing and developing as practitioners.

The GAFM/IBS/AAPM  program is designed to be flexible, allowing certification holders to customize their GAFM/IBS/AAPM  activities. While GAFM/IBS/AAPM provides a general framework and guidance, individuals determine their unique GAFM/IBS/AAPM  and development paths.

For detailed instructions on earning and tracking CE Credits in the GAFM/IBS/AAPM  program, please refer to the GAFM/IBS/AAPM  Handbook.