(a)(1) The FAC-P/PM certification program specifies three different levels of certification, depending on the core competency, training, and experience required to manage different types of acquisitions-
(i) Entry/Apprentice-Level I;
(ii) Mid-level/Journeyman-Level II; and
(iii) Senior/Expert-Level III.
(2) Each FAC-P/PM certification level is independent of the others- i.e., applicants for the Senior/Expert level need not have been certified at the Mid-level/Journeyman or Entry/Apprentice levels. General and specific core competencies, training, and required experience vary by certification level. ( Note: Individuals certified under the FAC-P/PM program meet the general competency and experience standards for P/PM certification. However, IT Program and Project Managers should attain/demonstrate IT-specific P/PM requirements. See Appendix C, Federal Acquisition Certification-Program and Project Managers-Information Technology Technical Competencies, in the P/PM Handbook for additional information.
(b)(1) Competencies. An applicant can satisfy the competency requirements through:
(i) Successful completion of training;
(ii) Completion of comparable education or certification programs;
(iii) Demonstration of knowledge, skills, and abilities; or
(iv) Any combination of these three.
(2) The FAI describes the following three sets of general core competencies on its Web site:
(3) General Business Competencies: Includes decision-making, interpersonal skills, oral communication, team-building, and writing.
(4) Technical Competencies: Includes contracting, financial management, quality assurance, and risk management.
(5) Essential Competencies and Proficiencies: Includes management processes, systems engineering, test and evaluation, contracting, and business.
(6) Specific core competencies also apply to the three certification levels. See Chapter 2, Federal Acquisition Certification-Program and Project Managers-Requirements and Performance Accountability, in the P/PM Handbook for additional information.
(c) Training. (1) Suggested training includes coursework, varying from 16-24 hours in duration, in:
(i) Acquisition;
(ii) Project management;
(iii) leadership and interpersonal skills;
(iv) Government-specific training; and
(v) Earned value management and cost estimating.
(2) The depth of the training for each course required may vary by certification level.
(d) Experience. Experience requirements vary by certification level. For example, for certification at the Entry/Apprentice-Level I, at least 1 year of project management experience within the last 5 years is required. The Mid-level/Journeyman-Level II requires at least 2 years of program or project management experience within the last 5 years. The Senior/Expert-Level III requires at least 4 years of program and project management experience on Federal projects within the last 5 years.
(e) Additional OPDIV guidance. OPDIVs may issue supplemental guidance and requirements for selection and assignment of Program and Project Managers and require additional skills and competencies to meet organizational or mission needs. However, OPDIVs may not reduce the requirements specified in the P/PM Handbook.
