GPM-b™ to CSPP™ · Transition FAQ
GPM and PMI are transitioning the GPM-b™ credential to the CSPP™ (Certified Sustainable Project Practitioner) as part of the PMI-GPM joint venture. The PMI-GPM Practice Guide for Sustainability in Project Management and the PMI-GPM P5™ Standard are both moving to version 4.0. The questions below cover what changes, what does not, and what each group of learners, holders, and training partners should do during the transition window.
GPM and PMI are transitioning the GPM-b™ certification to the CSPP™ (Certified Sustainable Project Practitioner). As part of this change, the PMI-GPM Practice Guide for Sustainability in Project Management and the PMI-GPM P5™ Standard for Sustainability in Project Management are both moving to version 4.0.
The CSPP™ is the successor to the GPM-b™. It builds on the same foundation, with updates to terminology, clarity, and supporting materials. The core structure and concepts remain largely the same.
The transition reflects the continued evolution of sustainable project management practices, including updates to the PMI-GPM Practice Guide and the PMI-GPM P5™ Standard at version 4.0. These updates keep the credential aligned with current industry expectations and global sustainability priorities.
No. The transition is designed to be smooth and minimally disruptive. Existing certification holders and new candidates can expect continuity, with improvements that enhance the overall experience.
The official timeline will be confirmed and communicated by PMI in an upcoming announcement.
Version 4.0 includes updated terminology, more concise language, and targeted refinements to improve clarity and consistency.
Version 4.0 maintains the overall structure, with selected updates to improve usability and alignment with current practice. Key updates include refined elements, impact analysis questions, improved scoring guidance, and a crosswalk aligned to the PMBOK® Guide Version 8.
Yes. The updates are designed to remain backward compatible.
Always use the current, most recent versions of the assigned materials. Older materials may still be useful as reference, but preparation should be based on the latest versions.
Yes. Candidates should prepare using the most current materials, as these align with the exam content.
CSPP™ training is available online through PMI.org and through accredited training partners worldwide.
Training may be offered online, in person, or virtually, depending on the accredited training partner.
During the transition period, individuals currently enrolled in the GPM e-learning course, or those who have not yet completed the course, have until December 31 to complete their training through GPM. After this date, all training is delivered through PMI and accredited partners.
Training must be delivered through PMI or an accredited training partner.
The exam is administered by PMI and delivered through Pearson VUE test centers.
All candidates take the exam through PMI via Pearson VUE, regardless of training pathway.
Yes. Both pathways remain available and are administered through PMI.
Yes. There is a short path (RPL) for eligible candidates and a regular path for others. Both are administered through PMI.
Yes. The exam has been updated to align with the revised materials, with improvements to terminology, clarity, and alignment, while maintaining core concepts.
If you purchased the GPM-b™ version, you have until December 31, 2026, to complete the exam. Continue your current path, complete your course by December 31, and follow PMI guidance for exam processing.
You will lose access to the course and will need to follow the CSPP™ pathway and requirements.
Follow the current PMI exam process and transition guidance.
Yes. You remain eligible but must follow the current PMI exam process.
Yes, as reference. Prepare for the exam using the most current materials.
Nothing is required. Your certification remains valid for five years. PMI offers a free upgrade to CSPP™ with no exam required if you opt in.
Opt in through PMI and agree to the maintenance requirements. You will receive a new certificate and badge at no cost.
No. You may keep your GPM-b™ until it expires.
No. No exam or additional training is required.
Yes. It remains valid until expiration. After expiration, you must purchase and pass the CSPP™ exam.
Once expired, you must purchase the CSPP™ and pass the exam to regain certification.
You must purchase the CSPP™ and pass the exam. Expired certifications are not eligible for the free upgrade.
If your certification was issued through GPM, complete the registry merge approval form at https://gpm.org/registry-merge.
No. It is valid for five years and then expires.
You must purchase the CSPP™ and pass the exam. If your certification is still active, it is best to opt in and upgrade at no cost.
Trainers will use updated terminology and version 4.0 materials. The structure remains largely the same.
No. The update is evolutionary.
Always use the most current versions. Older materials may be used as reference.
Yes. During the transition, use “CSPP™ (formerly GPM-b™)” for clarity.
All application and exam processes are managed through PMI.
Follow official guidance published by PMI.
Yes. Learners in GPM courses have until December 31 to complete them.
Enroll now and follow the current pathway.
Whether your certification is active, expired, or in progress.
Yes, if your certification is active.
No. You must complete the opt-in process.
Updated: April 2026
We need your consent before we can share your certification information with PMI. You can consent by filling out a short form. Only those who complete the form will have their information shared with PMI and their GPM-b certification included in the PMI registry. If you have an active, non-expired GPM-b Certification, Please complete the opt-in form below by February 2nd, 2026.
Note: GPM will continue to maintain our certification registry, the certificates and digital badges for certifications earned via GPM. If your certification is about to expire, see this page for more.
GPM Certification · Competence-Based
Certified SustainabilityProve Your Competence in Sustainability Fundamentals
Sustainability is now a critical business priority, and organizations need professionals who understand its core principles. The CSF certification validates your competence in sustainability by assessing your actual, on-the-job results against five core units of competence and over 60 performance criteria.
This globally recognized credential demonstrates that you can support sustainability initiatives, navigate key regulations, and contribute to long-term environmental, social, and economic impact.
Sustainability competence is in demand. CSF certification proves you have the skills to meet that demand.
The CSF certification is designed for professionals who:
| Need to demonstrate foundational competence in sustainability. |
| Support or contribute to sustainability initiatives within their organization. |
| Want to strengthen their professional qualifications with a recognized sustainability credential. |
| Work in roles across business, government, education, healthcare, finance, and more. |
Validate your expertise. Lead the transition to a sustainable future.
Updated: April 2026
GPM Certification · Competence-Based
Certified SustainabilityProve Your Expertise. Lead Sustainability Strategy.
The Certified Sustainability Professional (CSP) certification is a globally recognized credential that validates your expertise in sustainability leadership, strategy, and implementation. In a world where sustainability is no longer optional but essential, this certification proves your ability to drive business transformation, ensure regulatory compliance, and create long-term organizational value.
Sustainability is now a key driver of business success, and organizations need qualified professionals who can lead this transition. The demand for sustainability expertise has never been higher, and professionals with proven competence are commanding higher salaries and leadership opportunities.
The CSP certification is designed for professionals who:
| Have experience in sustainability and want to validate their expertise. |
| Lead or contribute to sustainability initiatives within their organization. |
| Integrate sustainability into business strategy, operations, and decision-making. |
| Work in roles such as corporate leadership, ESG compliance, and sustainability consulting. |
This certification is applicable across industries, including finance, manufacturing, technology, healthcare, government, and more.
Sustainability professionals are seeing unprecedented salary growth as organizations invest heavily in sustainability leadership roles.
Sustainability professionals with validated expertise are in high demand. CSP certification gives you a competitive edge in this fast-growing field.
With the rise of sustainability certifications, it is essential to choose one that is credible, competence-based, and globally recognized.
Validate your expertise. Lead the transition to a sustainable future.
Updated: March 13, 2025
GPM Certifications · Why It Matters
With sustainability certifications flooding the market, it’s crucial to separate meaningful credentials from marketing gimmicks. Not all certifications are created equal, and choosing the right one can make the difference between recognition of real expertise and just another badge.
IPMA Fellow Stacy Goff, in his article Comparing PM Certifications: Which is Best for You?, identified three essential dimensions for evaluating certifications: prerequisites, breadth of coverage, and rigor of assessment. When it comes to sustainability, there isn’t an organization in the world with an approach that can equal what we have established as a world-class certification body.
2025 Update
In 2025, GPM’s certifications became part of the Project Management Institute (PMI) certification family through the PMI-GPM joint venture — extending their global reach, governance infrastructure, and distribution through the world’s largest project management professional body.
IACET Accredited
GPM is accredited by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) — independent confirmation that our educational systems, assessments, governance, and learner support meet international quality standards. GPM’s CEUs are recognized by employers, universities, licensing bodies, and professional associations worldwide.
Others may sell badges. GPM certifies competence.
Goff emphasized that strong prerequisites are the foundation of a credible certification — ensuring it is open to those with real experience, not just those willing to pay a fee.
Why GPM? GPM sets a high bar, demanding real-world experience and demonstrated capability through evidence-based assessments. Our process goes beyond exams to verify that professionals have applied sustainability principles in their work.
| Evidence-based assessments requiring real project and sustainability experience. |
| Structured evidence submissions that demonstrate competence. |
| No “certifications for life” — ongoing competence is required for certification renewal. |
Goff noted that certifications should cover more than methodologies and knowledge — they should evaluate competence, behavior, and impact.
Why GPM? GPM’s certifications are built on globally recognized sustainability standards, ensuring professionals don’t just know about sustainability — they know how to implement it. We provide a complete sustainability ecosystem with clear implementation guidance:
Sustainability is more than a concept. It’s a discipline. We help you master it.
Goff made it clear: rigorous assessment is what separates meaningful certifications from marketing gimmicks.
Why GPM? GPM’s assessment process, aligned with ISO 17024, sets the global standard for competence-based sustainability certifications. Assessments require real-world evidence of competence and are conducted by experienced professionals with deep expertise in both sustainability and project management.
| ISO 17024-aligned processes — the global gold standard for certification of persons. |
| Competency-based assessments — you must demonstrate real expertise, not just knowledge. |
| Expert assessors — experienced sustainability practitioners and project managers, not generalists. |
| Global leadership — the head of GPM’s assessor pool sits on the ISO committee that governs ISO 17024, meaning we help shape the standards, not just follow them. |
A certification is only as valuable as its reputation. Is it recognized and respected by employers, governments, and global organizations?
Why GPM? GPM certifications are trusted and recognized by governments, Fortune 500 companies, universities, and NGOs worldwide. We have set the global standard for sustainable project management since 2011 — and in 2025, our certifications entered the PMI ecosystem, the world’s largest professional body for project management.
| Internationally recognized and adopted by leading global organizations. |
| Trusted by governments and Fortune 500 companies for their sustainability initiatives. |
| Endorsed and taught by major universities and professional institutions worldwide. |
| Now part of the PMI certification family through the PMI-GPM joint venture. |
A certification is only as strong as the education behind it. IACET accreditation is the internationally recognized mark of quality in continuing education and training.
Why GPM? GPM is accredited by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) — independent, third-party confirmation that our educational systems, assessments, governance, and learner support meet rigorous international quality standards.
| CEUs recognized globally — GPM’s Continuing Education Units are accepted by employers, universities, licensing bodies, and professional associations worldwide. |
| Consistent learning quality — IACET accreditation applies across GPM, PMI, IMA, and all delivery partners, ensuring every learner receives education built to the same standard. |
| Measurable learning outcomes — grounded in proven instructional design principles, not self-reported training hours or attendance records. |
If a certification provider can’t demonstrate their own sustainability commitments, why should you trust them?
Why GPM? At GPM, we practice what we preach. Our commitment to sustainability is transparent and measurable.
| We are carbon neutral and report our emissions in line with the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi). |
| We publish a bi-annual Communication on Progress (COP) Sustainability Report, available on the UN Global Compact website. |
| Our policies and procedures align with the highest standards of professional integrity and sustainability reporting. |
Goff’s framework for evaluating certifications remains the right lens. GPM now sets the standard that others fail to meet across every dimension.
Don’t settle for marketing gimmicks. Choose the certification that sets the standard.
And if you’re just getting started, we also have an exam-based certification for you.
Updated: April 2026
GPM Certification · Competence-Based · Formerly GPM-m
Certified SustainableCertify Your Expertise in Leading Complex Sustainable Projects
Project success is evolving. According to PMI’s Maximizing Project Success report, traditional metrics like scope, schedule, and budget are no longer sufficient — organizations now measure success by long-term value, stakeholder satisfaction, and sustainability outcomes.
GPM’s Insights into Sustainable Project Management 2024 report reinforces this shift, showing that 73% of project professionals consider sustainability critical, yet 68% of organizations have not aligned their project management practices with their sustainability goals.
The CSPMx certification validates your competence in integrating sustainability into project management at the highest level of complexity — proving your ability to lead highly complex projects and drive measurable, lasting impact.
The CSPMx certification is designed for experienced professionals who:
| Lead or oversee highly complex, sustainability-driven projects. |
| Influence sustainability strategy and decision-making at an organizational level. |
| Demonstrate competence in integrating sustainability into project frameworks at the expert level. |
This certification applies across all industries, including infrastructure, construction, energy, technology, finance, and international development.
CSPMx proves that you have the expertise to lead in an era where sustainability is critical to project success.
With sustainability becoming a defining factor in project success, it is essential to choose a certification that is credible, competence-based, and globally recognized. GPM has been a leader in Sustainable Project Management since 2011, setting the standard for integrating sustainability into professional project management practice. In 2025, GPM’s certifications became part of the PMI certification family through the PMI-GPM joint venture, extending their global reach and credibility.
Prove your mastery. Lead the future.
Updated: April 2026
GPM Certification · Competence-Based · Formerly GPM-s
Certified SustainableCertify Your Expertise in Sustainable Project Management
Project management is evolving, and sustainability is now a key measure of success. PMI’s Maximizing Project Success report highlights that traditional metrics like scope, schedule, and budget are no longer enough — organizations are now measuring projects by their long-term value, stakeholder impact, and sustainability outcomes.
GPM’s Insights into Sustainable Project Management 2024 report further supports this, showing that 73% of project professionals consider sustainability critical, yet 68% of organizations still lack alignment between their project management practices and their sustainability goals.
The CSPMs certification validates your ability to lead moderately complex projects and demonstrates that you can apply sustainability principles to ensure your projects contribute to environmental, social, and economic goals.
The CSPMs certification is designed for project professionals who:
| Lead or oversee moderately complex, sustainability-driven projects. |
| Need to demonstrate their competence integrating sustainability into project management. |
| Influence sustainability approaches at the program or portfolio level. |
This certification applies across all industries, including construction, infrastructure, energy, technology, healthcare, and finance.
CSPMs ensures that you can apply sustainability principles in project management — helping organizations meet the new definition of project success.
As sustainability reshapes how organizations define project success, professionals need a competency-based, globally recognized credential. GPM has been a leader in Sustainable Project Management since 2011, setting the standard for integrating sustainability into professional practice. In 2025, GPM’s certifications became part of the PMI certification family through the PMI-GPM joint venture, extending their global reach and credibility.
Demonstrate your competence at driving real sustainability impact.
Updated: April 2026
GPM Certification · Knowledge-Based
GPM-b™The Green Standard in Professional Certification
In today’s world, every project has a sustainability impact — and organizations need project managers who understand how to balance business objectives with environmental and social responsibility. The Certified Green Project Manager – Basic is the leading knowledge-based certification for Green Project Management®, equipping professionals with a globally recognized credential that validates their understanding of sustainability principles from inception to closure.
More than just a certification, GPM-b represents a global movement toward better, more responsible project management. It is offered through GPM’s global network of Accredited Training Partners, self-study options, and as part of the Project Management Institute’s certification offerings.
| Gain a strong foundation in Green Project Management® principles. |
| Validate your knowledge of sustainability-focused project management methodologies. |
| Learn practical tools to manage sustainability impacts across the entire project lifecycle. |
| Demonstrate your commitment to responsible and ethical project leadership. |
| Deliver sustainability strategy where it matters most — through your projects. |
Anyone working in or with projects who wants to:
| Integrate sustainability principles into their project management practices. |
| Earn a recognized credential in Green Project Management®. |
| Enhance their qualifications and career prospects in a rapidly evolving field. |
Instructor-Led or Online Course — Prepare for the GPM-b exam by enrolling in a course delivered by a GPM Accredited Training Provider. Whether in-person or online, these courses provide practical instruction on applying GPM tools and methods, including the P5™ Standard for Sustainability in Project Management and the GPM Practice Guide.
📌 Practice exams are available for GPM Ambassadors.
If you hold a qualifying degree or certification, you are eligible for RPL and can take the short-form exam. You must provide evidence to PMI, Qualifying credentials include:
*from an accredited college or university
Other credentials may qualify with the advance, written approval of GPM’s Director of Certification. For questions or approvals, email our certification board at
The exam is available in two formats.
📌 Certification is valid for five (5) years upon passing the exam.
Earn a credential that sets you apart. Become a Certified Green Project Manager – Basic and be the change you wish to see in the world — because there is no Planet B.
The GPM Certification Board, the governing body for this credential, conforms to the ISO 17024 standard.
For more information, email
The GPM-b™certification is valid for 5 years and does not require ongoing maintenance or renewal. After five years, you’ll have the opportunity to refresh your knowledge and renew your credential through re-certification. If your certification is close to expiriation, you must take the RPL (short form) exam through the Project Management Institute in order to renew as we are no longer taking case studies. After you have renewed, it will remain active for five years and going forward, will use PDUs to remain active
If your certification is close to expiring or has expired, click the button below which will take you to the exam purchase section at PMI. All you need to do is upload your certificate as part of the checkout process.
Updated August 6th, 2025
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