Leading the Post-Quantum Transition
The PQCM certification validates that you can plan, govern, and execute a PQC migration program within an organization. PQCS covers the technical side of the migration. PQCM covers the organizational side, including the governance, compliance, coordination, and leadership needed to migrate an entire enterprise to post-quantum cryptography.
What PQCM Certifies
A PQCM credential holder has demonstrated the ability to:
- Design and govern multi-phase PQC migration programs aligned with the PQC Migration Framework
- Map regulatory requirements (CNSA 2.0, EU directives, DORA, NIS2, sector-specific mandates) to concrete migration activities
- Conduct organizational readiness assessments covering people, processes, technology, and vendor dependencies
- Lead cross-functional migration teams spanning security, engineering, operations, procurement, legal, and executive leadership
- Communicate quantum risk to executive and board-level audiences using evidence-based framing
- Manage vendor PQC readiness and supply chain cryptographic dependencies
- Establish migration tracking, metrics, KPIs, and compliance reporting
Who Earns the PQCM
CISOs, security managers, program managers, project managers, compliance managers, risk managers, and senior technical leaders who are responsible for overseeing PQC migration. Also appropriate for consultants and advisors who guide clients through PQC transitions.
Path to PQCM
- Hold an active PQCS certification
- Complete the PQCM Training course (on-demand, live online, or in person)
- Pass the PQCM certification exam
Exam Format
- Proctored exam. Supervision, location and recording vary by sitting and are confirmed when you book. See the Candidate Guide
- 120 questions in total: 110 scored plus 10 unscored pilot items
- 180 minutes, closed book
- Recommended preparation: the training course plus 30–50 hours of independent study
- Scenario-based questions emphasizing applied competence and professional judgment
- Passing score: 700 on a 100–900 scale, set to a criterion-referenced standard
- Pilot items appear alongside scored items without being identified, and they do not count toward your result
- Results delivered promptly after completion
- Retakes: available 14 days after a first attempt and 30 days between later attempts, up to four attempts in any twelve months. First retake US$299, later retakes at the standard US$699 exam fee
Certification Details
- Digital badge issued upon certification, verifiable at pqcm.pro
- Post-nominal designation: PQCM
- Valid for three years from the date of certification
- Annual maintenance fee: US$149 (covers all active Quantum Academy credentials)
- Renewal: 60 CPE credits per three-year cycle, with a minimum of 15 in each year. The annual maintenance fee covers CPE-based renewal. The Candidate Guide sets out what counts, and our CPE credits page shows what each course earns
- Or renew by re-examination on the current version of the exam (US$399)
What Comes Next
Earn PQCM + PQCA + PQCV and you are automatically awarded PQCX – Post-Quantum Certified Expert.
Pricing
| Option | Price |
|---|---|
| PQCM exam only | US$699 |
| On-demand training + exam bundle | US$2,999 |
| Live online training + exam bundle | US$3,499 |
| In-person training + exam bundle | US$3,999 |
Verify a Credential Holder
Send the candidate’s full name to validation@quantumacademy.com.
The PQCM is a private professional credential issued by Quantum Academy, a trade name of Post-Quantum Institute. It is not a government-issued license, an accredited degree, or academic credit. Earning it does not guarantee employment, promotion, regulatory approval, or any other specific outcome. Quantum Academy programs are educational and informational only, and are not legal, compliance, or engineering advice.