Certified Sustainable Project Professional (CSPP)
Certified Sustainable Project Professional (CSPP)
Certified Sustainable Project Professional (CSPP)
The Certified Sustainable Project Professional (CSPP) is a professional certification developed through the joint venture between the Project Management Institute (PMI) and Green Project Management (GPM). The certification is designed to equip project professionals with the knowledge and practices required to integrate sustainability into project governance, planning, delivery, and decision-making.
Who should pursue CSPP?
The certification is relevant to professionals who want to integrate sustainability into project decision-making and delivery, including:
- Project Managers
- Program Managers
- Portfolio professionals
- Project coordinators and project team members
- Sustainability professionals working with projects
- ESG professionals
- PMO professionals
- Consultants
- Project sponsors and business leaders
- Professionals involved in sustainable procurement and supply chains
Professionals transitioning into sustainable project management
What You Will Learn
The CSPP examination content is structured around key areas of sustainable project management. The emphasis differs slightly between the Certified Practitioner and Non-Certified Practitioner pathways.
- Foundations of Sustainable Project Work
- PRiSM Life Cycle Approach
- P5 Standard: Sustainability and Impact Analysis
- Sustainability Management Planning
- ESG, Sustainability Reporting, Governance and Communications
- Project Management Considerations
CSPP Examination Structure
The certification has two examination pathways.
| Exam Component | Certified Practitioners | Non-Certified Practitioners |
| Total Questions | 100 | 145 |
| Scored Questions | 85 | 130 |
| Pretest Questions | 15 | 15 |
| Exam Duration | 120 minutes | 175 minutes |
| Break | Not specified | One 10-minute break |
The CSPP examination is available through in-person testing centers and online proctored testing.
CSPP Exam Course Outline
The examination content outline specifies the following distribution:
| Domain | CSPP (For Practitioners) | CSPP (For Non-Practitioners) |
| Foundations of Sustainable Project Work | 18% | 12% |
| PRiSM Life Cycle Approach | 18% | 23% |
| P5 Standard: Sustainability and Impact Analysis | 36% | 24% |
| Sustainability Management Plan | 18% | 12% |
| ESG & Sustainability Reporting, Governance and Project Communications | 11% | 7% |
| Project Management Considerations | N/A | 23% |
CSPP Eligibility Requirements
Certified Practitioner Pathway
Candidates need:
- Learning - 12 hours of formal education related to Sustainability in Project Management
- Academic Education - Bachelor's degree, high school diploma or global equivalent, GED, or General Education
- Certificate - Professional Certification
A qualifying project management certification in good standing, such as:
- PMI PMP, PfMP, PgMP or CAPM
- AACEI CCP
- APM PMQ, ChPP, RegPM or MPLSC
- AIPM CPPM, CPSPM or RegPM
- IPMA Level D, C, B or A
- PRINCE2 Project Manager Practitioner
- PRINCE2 Programme Manager Practitioner
- PRINCE2 Portfolio Manager Practitioner
Alternatively, candidates may qualify through a master's degree with a concentration in Project or Program Management from an accredited college or university. Sustainability degrees alone do not qualify under this pathway.
Non-Certified Practitioner Pathway
Candidates need:
- 20 hours of formal education related to Sustainability in Project Management
- A secondary diploma, high school diploma, GED, or global equivalent
- No professional project management certification is required for this pathway.
Certified Sustainable Project Professional (CSPP) FAQs
What is the Certified Sustainable Project Professional certification?
CSPP is a professional certification developed through the joint venture between PMI and GPM. It validates knowledge and understanding of sustainable project management principles and their application across the project lifecycle.
Who can take the CSPP exam?
There are two pathways. Certified Practitioners have qualifying project management certification or education, while the Non-Certified Practitioner pathway is intended for candidates with limited or basic project management knowledge.
Is project management certification mandatory?
No. The Non-Certified Practitioner pathway does not require a professional project management certification. It requires 20 hours of formal education related to Sustainability in Project Management and a secondary diploma or equivalent.
What is the P5 Standard?
The P5 Standard provides guidance for identifying and measuring sustainability impacts across projects. It is a central component of the CSPP examination.
What is PRiSM?
PRiSM, or Project Integrating Sustainable Methods, is the lifecycle approach covered in the CSPP examination for integrating sustainable methods into project management.
How many questions are in the CSPP exam?
The Certified Practitioner examination contains 100 questions, including 85 scored and 15 pretest questions. The Non-Certified Practitioner examination contains 145 questions, including 130 scored and 15 pretest questions.
How long is the CSPP examination?
Certified Practitioners receive 120 minutes. Non-Certified Practitioners receive 175 minutes, including a 10-minute break during the examination.
Can the CSPP exam be taken online?
Yes. The examination is available both at in-person testing centers and through online proctored testing.
How often does CSPP need to be renewed?
The CSPP certification must be renewed every three years, with 30 PDUs required during each three-year certification cycle.
How many times can the CSPP exam be taken?
Candidates can take the examination up to three times within their one-year eligibility period. If they do not pass after three attempts, they must wait one year from the date of their last examination before reapplying.