Compare the three levels.
All three certifications assess the same five-domain framework — what changes is the altitude of judgment required, and the standard you’re held to. Every level is earned by examination only.
| Certification | IEMA-IAssociate | IIEMP-IIProfessional | IIIEME-IIIExpert |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who it’s for | Engineers stepping into leadership | Practising engineering managers | Senior engineering leaders |
| Experience | No requirement | 3+ years leading teams | 7+ years shaping orgs |
| Exam length | 60 questions | 75 questions | 90 questions |
| Time limit | 90 minutes | 105 minutes | 120 minutes |
| Pass standard | 70% | 75% | 80% |
| Validity | 3 years · no forced renewal | 3 years · no forced renewal | 3 years · no forced renewal |
| Domains |
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| Price | Free · founding cohort | Coming soon | Coming soon |
| Start free → | Join waitlist | Join waitlist |
Assessment-first
No mandatory course or training to buy. You’re certified on demonstrated judgment — not attendance or seat time.
Engineering leadership, specifically
Not general project management or Agile. Every question targets the realities of leading engineers and engineering organisations.
Earn it once
Credentials are valid for three years with no forced renewal treadmill — and any employer can verify them instantly, free.
EMA vs PMP (PMI)
PMP certifies project management broadly, not engineering leadership specifically, and requires 35 hours of formal project-management education plus years of documented project-leading experience before you’re even eligible to sit the exam. EMA has no mandatory coursework or experience gate — EMA-I assesses engineering-management judgment directly, from day one.
EMA vs CSM (Scrum Alliance)
A Certified ScrumMaster credential requires completing a mandatory instructor-led course before you’re eligible to test — you can’t study independently and sit an exam. EMA is assessment-only: if you have the judgment, you can sit EMA-I today, no course purchase required.
EMA vs PRINCE2 (PeopleCert)
PRINCE2 is a general project-management methodology certification, not built around engineering leadership, and in practice is earned by pairing an accredited training course with the exam rather than independent study. EMA questions are scenario-based and specific to leading engineers and engineering organisations.
EMA vs SAFe Agilist (Scaled Agile)
SAFe certifications require attending a licensed course, and then paying an annual renewal fee indefinitely just to stay certified. EMA credentials are valid for three years with no forced renewal treadmill.
EMA vs ICAgile
ICAgile credentials are awarded for completing an accredited course — there’s no independent exam at all, and assessment is left to the training provider. EMA certifies capability through a proctored, scored examination with a published pass standard.
Not sure where to start? EMA-I has no experience requirement.
Start EMA-I — Free →