What are the PECB AI certifications?
PECB offers two personal AI credentials, and they split the field cleanly down the middle. The Certified Artificial Intelligence Professional (CAIP) is the technical track: machine learning, deep learning, NLP, computer vision, robotics, and AI security, aimed at people who design, deploy, and assess AI systems. The Certified Artificial Intelligence Manager (CAIM) is the leadership track: governance, data readiness, Power BI dashboards, and AI agents built in n8n — with no coding required.
Both are structured as 5-day-equivalent courses delivered self-paced online, both end with a 3-hour PECB certifying exam, and both carry 31 CPD credits. What differs is the question each answers:
- CAIP asks: can you build and interrogate the system? Seven exam domains span AI fundamentals, data analysis, machine learning, deep learning and NLP, computer vision and robotics, AI security, and AI ethics and governance — with hands-on labs run in a browser-based virtual environment.
- CAIM asks: can you govern and run the portfolio? Five exam domains cover AI strategy and opportunity management, governance and risk, decision intelligence with Power BI, AI-driven automation, and generative AI use cases — with prompt-engineering, Power BI, and n8n labs throughout.
Neither is an ISO management-system course. If your organisation needs a certifiable AI Management System, that is the ISO 42001 pathway — these two credentials certify the people who work inside and around it.
Why AI certification matters in Australia right now
Australia is moving from AI enthusiasm to AI accountability, and the regulatory scaffolding is now visible:
- Current AI adoption guidance — the Australian Government published six essential practices in October 2025, evolving the 2024 Voluntary AI Safety Standard. Training can support relevant skills; no clause-by-clause equivalence is claimed.
- Policy proposals and existing duties — the 2024 mandatory-guardrails consultation was a proposal, not an enacted obligation. Check current laws, sector rules, contracts and government policy for the actual use case.
- Board-level AI governance pressure — directors are being asked who owns AI risk, how use cases are approved, and how failures would surface. Staff need assigned authority, competent practice and operating evidence; a credential alone does not supply those.
- Procurement and client due diligence — AI clauses are appearing in Australian contracts, and buyers increasingly ask for evidence of a governance process and genuine technical review capability, not just a policy PDF.
- AI security as its own discipline — model integrity, data poisoning, and adversarial failure modes are a different subject from general information security. CAIP carries a full exam domain on it, which pairs naturally with an ISO 27001 credential.
Personal credentials and organisational certification are complements, not substitutes. ISO/IEC 42001 certifies your company’s AI Management System; CAIP and CAIM certify the people who build the systems and run the portfolio. Whether either credential or organisational certification is required depends on the organisation and its buyers — see our ISO 42001 certification guide for the organisational side. Once the management system is running, the clause that trips teams up is the internal audit requirement — our ISO 42001 internal audit service covers it when you need an independent reviewer.
Who should pick which: practitioner vs manager
Choose CAIP — the practitioner track — if you are:
- A data scientist or engineer developing and optimising AI models
- An AI professional actively involved in building and implementing AI technologies
- An IT manager or technical lead overseeing AI projects who must challenge vendor claims credibly
- A risk or compliance officer who has inherited AI oversight and needs genuine technical literacy, not just policy vocabulary
- A consultant reviewing client AI programs who needs working range across ML, NLP, computer vision, and robotics
Choose CAIM — the manager track — if you are:
- An AI project or product manager planning and delivering AI initiatives
- A transformation leader, COO, or department director overseeing AI across cross-functional teams
- A risk, compliance, or governance officer reviewing AI use cases, risk assessments, and transparency reports
- A team leader in health care, finance, manufacturing, or public services working with vendors on AI solutions
- An IT manager or consultant moving into AI leadership without a data science background
The simplest test: if your job is to know how the model works, take CAIP; if your job is to know whether the use case is appropriate, who owns it, and how you would know if it went wrong, take CAIM. Many organisations want one of each rather than two of the same — see the full Aegentra Academy catalogue for adjacent credentials.
CAIP vs CAIM at a glance
Both courses are delivered online and self-paced through the official PECB platform. Online training formats and booking arrangements are listed on each course page. Every enrolment includes the official exam voucher and one free resit within 12 months.
| Course | Price (+ GST) | Effort | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Certified AI Professional (CAIP) | $578 + GST | 40–50 h self-paced | Engineers, data scientists, and technical leads building or reviewing AI systems |
| Certified AI Manager (CAIM) | $578 + GST | 35–45 h self-paced | Managers, governance and compliance leads running AI initiatives — no coding required |
PECB recommends basic programming knowledge. Expect technical material covering data analysis, machine learning and AI model development. None technical — the labs run in no-code environments, so no programming background is assumed. Some exposure to managing projects or governance processes will make the strategy and change-management material land faster.
What you learn — the two 5-day agendas
CAIP — the technical agenda
Fundamental concepts and principles of artificial intelligence, plus data analysis and visualisation — the groundwork every later day builds on.
The data science and machine learning foundations, the ML workflow, supervised and unsupervised learning, and advanced ML applications.
Classical and intermediate NLP techniques, modern NLP with transformers and large language models, then deep learning concepts and architectures.
Generative models, computer vision and robotics, then AI security, AI ethics, and AI governance and strategy.
The 3-hour, remotely proctored PECB exam across seven competency domains.
CAIM — the leadership agenda
AI fundamentals and global trends, strategic value and business alignment, identifying and prioritising AI opportunities, data readiness, and managing AI projects.
Governance foundations, AI policy, fairness and bias, transparency and explainability, data security, risk management, and a prompt engineering lab.
The anatomy of a decision, defining KPIs, data storytelling, the Power BI ecosystem, and a hands-on data analysis lab in Power BI.
GenAI and LLM fundamentals, agents and automation architectures, data and RAG, governing AI automation, and an AI automation lab in n8n.
The 3-hour, remotely proctored PECB exam across five competency domains.
Current examination requirements
Open-book, multiple-choice. Duration: 3 hours. 80 multiple-choice questions in the current English PECB examination record. Passing requirements: 70%. Check the current PECB examination record and assigned examination before booking. Open-book, multiple-choice. Duration: 3 hours. 80 multiple-choice questions in the current English PECB examination record. Passing requirements: 70%. Check the current PECB examination record and assigned examination before booking.
Cost, inclusions and access
Self-Study: A$ 578.00 excluding GST. Published inclusions (subject to the credential and retake clarification immediately below): PECB Certified Artificial Intelligence Professional slide deck (digital); Practical examples and exercises throughout; 12 months access via myPECB; Attestation of course completion worth 31 CPD credits; Certification and examination fees included in the course price; Three-hour exam across seven competency domains; One free retake within 12 months of the initial exam date; PECB Certified Artificial Intelligence Professional credential on pass; Practical labs delivered in a virtual environment, accessed through the browser; Machine learning workflow — supervised and unsupervised; Neural networks and deep learning architectures including CNNs; NLP with transformers and large language models. Clarification: references to a credential or certificate on pass do not mean automatic award. The eligible PECB credential requires an application and PECB approval, including applicable experience and ethics requirements. PECB’s partner-course policy sets a 12-month examination and included-retake cycle from purchase for Self-Study and eLearning, or from course completion for instructor-led training. A failed attempt does not restart that cycle. The first retake requires at least 15 days after the unsuccessful examination; booking rules and the recorded myPECB deadline also apply. A retained inclusion referring to the initial examination date does not extend or restart this policy cycle. Australian GST follows the billing address. Check the course page for the full inclusions and current booking options. Self-Study: A$ 578.00 excluding GST. Published inclusions (subject to the credential and retake clarification immediately below): PECB Certified Artificial Intelligence Manager slide deck (digital); Over 300 pages of training material, practical examples, exercises, and quizzes; 12 months access via myPECB; Attestation of course completion worth 31 CPD credits; Certificate and examination fees included in the course price; Three-hour exam across five competency domains; First exam attempt plus one free retake within 12 months; PECB Certified Artificial Intelligence Manager credential on pass; Prompt engineering lab; Data analysis and dashboard build in Power BI; AI agent orchestration in n8n; No-code throughout — no programming background required. Clarification: references to a credential or certificate on pass do not mean automatic award. The eligible PECB credential requires an application and PECB approval, including applicable experience and ethics requirements. PECB’s partner-course policy sets a 12-month examination and included-retake cycle from purchase for Self-Study and eLearning, or from course completion for instructor-led training. A failed attempt does not restart that cycle. The first retake requires at least 15 days after the unsuccessful examination; booking rules and the recorded myPECB deadline also apply. A retained inclusion referring to the initial examination date does not extend or restart this policy cycle. Australian GST follows the billing address. Check the course page for the full inclusions and current booking options.
This course publishes 12 months of material access. Course-material access, examination and retake deadlines, and any certificate-application deadline are separate. Confirm the material-access start date in your booking confirmation and check the deadlines recorded in myPECB before scheduling your examination. PECB’s partner-course policy sets a 12-month examination and included-retake cycle from purchase for Self-Study and eLearning, or from course completion for instructor-led training. A failed attempt does not restart that cycle. The first retake requires at least 15 days after the unsuccessful examination; booking rules and the recorded myPECB deadline also apply. This course publishes 12 months of material access. Course-material access, examination and retake deadlines, and any certificate-application deadline are separate. Confirm the material-access start date in your booking confirmation and check the deadlines recorded in myPECB before scheduling your examination. PECB’s partner-course policy sets a 12-month examination and included-retake cycle from purchase for Self-Study and eLearning, or from course completion for instructor-led training. A failed attempt does not restart that cycle. The first retake requires at least 15 days after the unsuccessful examination; booking rules and the recorded myPECB deadline also apply.
Credential requirements and how to enrol
PECB recommends basic programming knowledge. Expect technical material covering data analysis, machine learning and AI model development. None technical — the labs run in no-code environments, so no programming background is assumed. Some exposure to managing projects or governance processes will make the strategy and change-management material land faster.
After passing, apply to PECB for the eligible AI Professional credential. PECB lists a Provisional pathway and requires two years of professional experience, including one in artificial intelligence, for the full credential. Its current course page lists no project-hours requirement, while its candidate handbook lists 200 hours. Obtain written confirmation from PECB of the applicable project requirement before relying on either figure. PECB validates the application and requires its Code of Ethics. Passing the examination and receiving a credential are separate: PECB must approve the application. Maintenance depends on the credential awarded; Provisional credentials and Foundation certificates are exempt from CPD and maintenance fees. Check the current PECB policy for other credentials. After passing, apply to PECB for the eligible AI Manager credential. PECB lists a Provisional pathway and requires five years of professional experience, including two in AI management, for the full Manager credential. Its current course page lists no project-hours requirement, while its candidate handbook lists 300 hours. Obtain written confirmation from PECB of the applicable project requirement before relying on either figure. PECB validates the application and requires its Code of Ethics. Passing the examination and receiving a credential are separate: PECB must approve the application. Maintenance depends on the credential awarded; Provisional credentials and Foundation certificates are exempt from CPD and maintenance fees. Check the current PECB policy for other credentials.
Primary references and applicability
These sources explain the requirements and scope distinctions discussed above. Check their applicability to the organisation or credential.
FAQs
What is the difference between CAIP and CAIM?
CAIP — the PECB Certified Artificial Intelligence Professional — is the technical credential: machine learning, deep learning, NLP, computer vision, robotics, and AI security, aimed at people designing and managing AI systems. CAIM — the Certified Artificial Intelligence Manager — is the management credential: governance, data readiness, Power BI dashboards, and no-code automation in n8n, aimed at people leading AI initiatives. CAIP goes deeper into how AI works; CAIM goes deeper into how AI is governed and reported. Many organisations want one of each rather than two of the same.
How much do the PECB AI certifications cost in Australia?
Self-Study: A$ 578.00 excluding GST. Published inclusions (subject to the credential and retake clarification immediately below): PECB Certified Artificial Intelligence Professional slide deck (digital); Practical examples and exercises throughout; 12 months access via myPECB; Attestation of course completion worth 31 CPD credits; Certification and examination fees included in the course price; Three-hour exam across seven competency domains; One free retake within 12 months of the initial exam date; PECB Certified Artificial Intelligence Professional credential on pass; Practical labs delivered in a virtual environment, accessed through the browser; Machine learning workflow — supervised and unsupervised; Neural networks and deep learning architectures including CNNs; NLP with transformers and large language models. Clarification: references to a credential or certificate on pass do not mean automatic award. The eligible PECB credential requires an application and PECB approval, including applicable experience and ethics requirements. PECB’s partner-course policy sets a 12-month examination and included-retake cycle from purchase for Self-Study and eLearning, or from course completion for instructor-led training. A failed attempt does not restart that cycle. The first retake requires at least 15 days after the unsuccessful examination; booking rules and the recorded myPECB deadline also apply. A retained inclusion referring to the initial examination date does not extend or restart this policy cycle. Australian GST follows the billing address. Check the course page for the full inclusions and current booking options. Self-Study: A$ 578.00 excluding GST. Published inclusions (subject to the credential and retake clarification immediately below): PECB Certified Artificial Intelligence Manager slide deck (digital); Over 300 pages of training material, practical examples, exercises, and quizzes; 12 months access via myPECB; Attestation of course completion worth 31 CPD credits; Certificate and examination fees included in the course price; Three-hour exam across five competency domains; First exam attempt plus one free retake within 12 months; PECB Certified Artificial Intelligence Manager credential on pass; Prompt engineering lab; Data analysis and dashboard build in Power BI; AI agent orchestration in n8n; No-code throughout — no programming background required. Clarification: references to a credential or certificate on pass do not mean automatic award. The eligible PECB credential requires an application and PECB approval, including applicable experience and ethics requirements. PECB’s partner-course policy sets a 12-month examination and included-retake cycle from purchase for Self-Study and eLearning, or from course completion for instructor-led training. A failed attempt does not restart that cycle. The first retake requires at least 15 days after the unsuccessful examination; booking rules and the recorded myPECB deadline also apply. A retained inclusion referring to the initial examination date does not extend or restart this policy cycle. Australian GST follows the billing address. Check the course page for the full inclusions and current booking options.
What does each exam involve?
Open-book, multiple-choice. Duration: 3 hours. 80 multiple-choice questions in the current English PECB examination record. Passing requirements: 70%. Check the current PECB examination record and assigned examination before booking. Open-book, multiple-choice. Duration: 3 hours. 80 multiple-choice questions in the current English PECB examination record. Passing requirements: 70%. Check the current PECB examination record and assigned examination before booking.
Do I need a coding background?
PECB recommends basic programming knowledge. Expect technical material covering data analysis, machine learning and AI model development. None technical — the labs run in no-code environments, so no programming background is assumed. Some exposure to managing projects or governance processes will make the strategy and change-management material land faster.
What experience do I need to earn the credential?
After passing, apply to PECB for the eligible AI Professional credential. PECB lists a Provisional pathway and requires two years of professional experience, including one in artificial intelligence, for the full credential. Its current course page lists no project-hours requirement, while its candidate handbook lists 200 hours. Obtain written confirmation from PECB of the applicable project requirement before relying on either figure. PECB validates the application and requires its Code of Ethics. Passing the examination and receiving a credential are separate: PECB must approve the application. Maintenance depends on the credential awarded; Provisional credentials and Foundation certificates are exempt from CPD and maintenance fees. Check the current PECB policy for other credentials. After passing, apply to PECB for the eligible AI Manager credential. PECB lists a Provisional pathway and requires five years of professional experience, including two in AI management, for the full Manager credential. Its current course page lists no project-hours requirement, while its candidate handbook lists 300 hours. Obtain written confirmation from PECB of the applicable project requirement before relying on either figure. PECB validates the application and requires its Code of Ethics. Passing the examination and receiving a credential are separate: PECB must approve the application. Maintenance depends on the credential awarded; Provisional credentials and Foundation certificates are exempt from CPD and maintenance fees. Check the current PECB policy for other credentials.
How do CAIP and CAIM relate to ISO 42001?
They answer different questions. ISO/IEC 42001 is a certifiable management-system standard — an organisation is audited against it. CAIP and CAIM are personal credentials: CAIP assesses technical AI knowledge and CAIM assesses AI management knowledge under their respective schemes. Neither is a mandatory personnel credential for every ISO 42001 programme; role competence and operating evidence still need assessment.
Are there hands-on labs?
Yes, in both courses. CAIP delivers practical labs in a browser-based virtual environment across the machine learning workflow, neural networks and deep learning architectures including CNNs, and NLP with transformers and large language models. CAIM includes a prompt engineering lab, a Power BI data-analysis and dashboard build, and an AI-agent orchestration lab in n8n — all no-code.
What CPD credits do I earn?
Each course issues an attestation of completion worth 31 CPD credits. Acceptance by ISACA, IIA Australia or another body depends on its current relevance, activity, evidence and reporting rules; the PECB credit figure is not automatic approval by another body.