Which certification is right for me?
Every PECB standard offers a ladder of courses. The right rung depends on what you do: understand the standard, run a discipline, build the management system, or audit it.
The four levels
Most people start at Foundation or go straight to Lead Implementer or Lead Auditor if they already work with the standard. Manager and Specialist courses go deep on a single discipline.
1Foundation
The entry point. You learn the language, structure and requirements of the standard.
Best for: people new to the standard who need a working grasp of its concepts and requirements.
Typical format: 2 days of content, 1-hour exam, 14 CPD credits.
Examples: ISO/IEC 27001 Foundation, ISO/IEC 42001 Foundation, ISO 9001 Foundation, ISO 45001 Foundation
2Manager / Specialist
For practitioners who run a discipline day to day and need depth without leading a full certification project.
Best for: professionals who own or manage a specific discipline in their organisation.
Typical format: 3 days of content, 2-hour exam, 21 CPD credits.
Examples: ISO/IEC 27005 Risk Manager, Lead Cybersecurity Manager, ISO 31000 Risk Manager, ISO 31000 Lead Risk Manager
3Lead Implementer
For the people who build the management system and take the organisation to certification.
Best for: managers and consultants who will plan, build and run the management system.
Typical format: 5 days of content, 3-hour exam, 31 CPD credits.
Examples: ISO/IEC 27001 Lead Implementer, ISO/IEC 42001 Lead Implementer, ISO 9001 Lead Implementer, ISO 45001 Lead Implementer
4Lead Auditor
For the people who assess a management system against the standard, internally or as a certification auditor.
Best for: auditors and assurance professionals who will plan and lead audits of the management system.
Typical format: 5 days of content, 3-hour exam, 31 CPD credits.
Examples: ISO/IEC 27001 Lead Auditor, ISO/IEC 42001 Lead Auditor, ISO 9001 Lead Auditor, ISO 45001 Lead Auditor
Levels compared
| Level | Designed for | Days | Exam | CPD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Foundation | people new to the standard who need a working grasp of its concepts and requirements | 2 | 1 h | 14 |
| Manager / Specialist | professionals who own or manage a specific discipline in their organisation | 3 | 2 h | 21 |
| Lead Implementer | managers and consultants who will plan, build and run the management system | 5 | 3 h | 31 |
| Lead Auditor | auditors and assurance professionals who will plan and lead audits of the management system | 5 | 3 h | 31 |
Typical formats. Some Manager and Specialist courses run over five days; each course page shows its exact format.
Find your level in two questions
Pick what you want to do and your area. We show the courses that fit.
Recommended for you
We do not list that combination yet, but PECB may offer it. Ask us and we will confirm. Ask a question
Still unsure?
Tell us your role and goals and we will recommend a course.