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The CMI AI qualifications at a glance

CMI launched three AI qualification suites in spring 2026, each regulated by Ofqual on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF). They follow the way responsibility for AI actually flows through any public body. First-line managers put it into practice, middle managers make it work across a service or department, and senior leaders set direction and governance.

Award, Certificate and Diploma: what is the difference?

Every level is offered at three sizes. The difficulty stays the same; what changes is how many units you complete and so how much ground you cover. An Award builds focused expertise in one area, a Certificate combines two or more, and a Diploma gives a rounded, in-depth grounding across the subject.

Level Award Certificate Diploma
Level 3 1 unit or more, 50 hours, 5 credits 2 units or more, 130 hours, 13 credits 6 units or more, 400 hours, 40 credits
Level 5 1 unit or more, 50 hours, 5 credits 2 units or more, 130 hours, 13 credits 5 units or more, 370 hours, 37 credits
Level 7 1 unit or more, 70 hours, 7 credits 2 units or more, 140 hours, 14 credits 4 units or more, 370 hours, 37 credits

Hours are Total Qualification Time: guided learning, independent study, research and completing assessments together. Each unit is assessed through written, work-based assignments graded Pass or Refer, with guideline lengths of 2,500 to 3,500 words at Level 3, 3,000 to 5,000 at Level 5, and 4,000 to 4,500 at Level 7. There are no exams.

The sizes are built to stack. You can start with an Award and top up to a Certificate or Diploma later, carrying your completed units with you. Learners have five years from registration to finish, which suits staff balancing study with shift work, on-call duties and operational demand.

Which size is right?

  • Award: a single priority, such as a team leader preparing to supervise staff using a new AI tool, or a director who needs a sound grounding in AI governance before a procurement decision.
  • Certificate: a defined role change or project, such as a service manager leading an AI pilot who needs both change leadership and risk governance.
  • Diploma: a career-long investment for those who will lead AI across a function, directorate or whole organisation, and a strong route towards Chartered Manager status.

Which level is right for you?

The right level depends on your responsibilities, not your job title. The roles below are a guide. Your experience matters more than your grade, so speak with our subject matter expert and we will help you choose.

Sector Level 3: first-line managers Level 5: middle managers Level 7: senior leaders
Central government and arm’s-length bodies Executive and Higher Executive Officers who manage teams; operational delivery team leaders Senior Executive Officers and Grade 7s; policy, digital, data and programme leads Grade 6 and Senior Civil Service; chief executives and directors of arm’s-length bodies
Local authorities Team leaders in contact centres, revenues and benefits, housing, licensing and social care Service and operations managers; heads of service; ICT, data and information governance managers Chief executives, directors and assistant directors; senior information risk owners; monitoring officers
Fire and rescue Crew and watch managers; fire control supervisors Station and group managers; heads of department Area managers, principal officers and chief fire officers
Ambulance and health Team leaders and clinical team leaders; emergency operations centre supervisors Operations and service managers; digital and information governance leads Directors and executive teams; heads of digital and data
Policing Sergeants and police staff supervisors; control room and custody supervisors Inspectors and chief inspectors; police staff heads of unit Superintendents, chief officers and senior police staff; police and crime commissioners’ staff
Justice, education and other public bodies Supervising officers and administrative team leaders Department heads and business managers Governors, trustees, board members and executive leaders

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