Know who’s ready to lead your most complex work
Your organization already has a way to identify its strongest Project Professionals. APL Accreditation gives that process independent recognition from PMI and gives the people you identify a pathway to a certification that proves what they can do. Your organization keeps its evaluation methods. We review the program.
Know who’s ready to lead your most complex work
Your organization already has a way to identify its strongest Project Professionals. APL Accreditation gives that process independent recognition from PMI and gives the people you identify a pathway to a certification that proves what they can do. Your organization keeps its evaluation methods. We review the program.
Advanced Project Leader (APL)™
Complex work demands a higher level of leadership
Competing stakeholders, shifting risk, artificial intelligence and high business consequences now define the initiatives that matter most. Knowing who can lead through that is a delivery question before it is a talent question.
Our Pulse of the Profession® 2026 report found complexity rising for almost everyone.
- 81% of Project Professionals report increasing complexity
97% of those Project Professionals managed at least one complex project in the past year
- Projects are 5x more likely to succeed
when complexity is managed effectively: 88% versus 14%
What is APL Accreditation?
A consistent standard for advanced capability
PMI accredits the process, not the people
APL Accreditation aligns your organization’s advanced-practitioner evaluation program with PMI standards, creating a credible pathway to identify eligible employees for APL certification.
Turn an internal standard into a recognized advantage
Is APL Accreditation right for your organization?
Readiness Check
Use this quick checklist to assess whether APL meets your talent needs and whether your organization is ready to begin an accreditation conversation with PMI.
APL may be a fit if your organization:
- Has professionals leading complex, high-stakes projects or programs
- Needs a credible way to identify advanced project leadership capability
- Wants to recognize demonstrated capability beyond standard project execution
- Manages work shaped by significant interdependencies, uncertainty, stakeholder complexity or external disruption
You may be ready for APL Accreditation if your organization:
- Has an established program for evaluating advanced project practitioners
- Can identify a qualified population of potential APL candidates
- Uses defined criteria and evidence to confirm advanced performance
- Is prepared for PMI to review its evaluation program against APL requirements
Does your organization meet eligibility? Discuss your readiness with our team.
How APL Accreditation works
APL Accreditation connects your organization’s evaluation program to APL eligibility, giving qualified employees a clear path to certification.
The Accreditation Pathway
Ready to start the conversation?
Who may be eligible for APL?
Candidate Profile
Once your organization’s evaluation program is accredited, APL is intended for employees who demonstrate advanced performance leading complex, high-stakes work.
Leaders of complex delivery
Professionals accountable for outcomes across tightly connected workstreams, systems or organizations.
Cross-functional influencers
Leaders who align diverse stakeholders, influence across boundaries and build trust without relying on formal authority.
Strategic problem-solvers
Practitioners who connect delivery to strategy, anticipate cascading impacts and make sound decisions under pressure.
Adaptive, risk-aware leaders
Leaders who navigate ambiguity, manage uncertainty and adjust priorities and plans as conditions change.
Prerequisite note
Candidates must hold an active PMP®, PgMP® or PfMP® certification in good standing and successfully complete an APL evaluation program at a PMI Accredited Organization.
Not ready yet? Take the next best step.
Build toward readiness
Whether your employees need a foundational certification or your organization needs a stronger evaluation approach, PMI can help you identify a practical path forward.
If employees do not yet meet APL prerequisites
Support employees in earning or maintaining the foundational certification required for APL eligibility.
Project Management Professional (PMP®) validates skills and knowledge in managing & directing people, processes, and priorities for a project team from start to finish.
Program Management Professional (PgMP®) shows they have real-world experience managing multiple complex projects that are part of a coordinated program.
Portfolio Management Professional PfMP® verifies advanced competency as a portfolio manager to drive the right work and deliver the most value.
If your organization does not have an evaluation program
Connect with PMI to understand accreditation requirements and identify the capabilities, evidence and governance your program may need.
If you want broader capability building
Explore enterprise learning and development solutions that strengthen project capability across teams and career stages.
Take the next step
Start your APL Accreditation conversation
Talk with PMI about your organization’s readiness, evaluation program and pathway to helping qualified employees pursue APL certification.