Individual Certifications
Two professional pathways: a structured six-stage AI Professional career ladder, and separate Shielded Framework professional credentials for implementation and assurance.
AI Professional Certifications
A six-stage career ladder from foundational AI understanding to the highest assurance professional designation.
Capability progression
Knowledge
Understand AI
Application
Apply AI
Professional Judgement
Work professionally with AI
Specialist Expertise
Develop advanced domain expertise
Professional Practice
Established professional competence
Independent Assurance
Senior judgement, assurance & leadership
Understand AI
SAIFIACAIP Shielded AI Foundations®
Entry-level certification demonstrating fundamental understanding of artificial intelligence.
Suitable candidates
Students, graduates, professionals beginning to work with AI, managers, business, policy and governance professionals, and individuals transitioning into AI roles.
Assessment
40–50 multiple-choice questions · 60–75 minutes · online or approved examination environment · pass mark 70%.
Assessment strands
- 1
AI Fundamentals
What AI is and is notMachine learning fundamentalsModels and algorithmsData and AIGenerative AILarge language models - 2
AI Applications
AI use casesAutomationDecision supportHuman-AI interactionOrganisational applicationsBenefits and limitations - 3
AI Risk & Limitations
AI failure modesHallucinationReliabilityModel limitationsData qualityInappropriate useUnintended consequences - 4
Responsible AI
Bias and fairnessTransparencyExplainabilityPrivacySecurityHuman oversightAccountability - 5
AI Governance Fundamentals
AI policiesRoles and responsibilitiesBasic controlsRisk awarenessGovernance principlesRegulatory awareness
Progression outcome: Demonstrates fundamental understanding of AI.
Assessment capability: Knowledge of AI concepts, risks, and responsible use.
Apply AI
SAIPIACAIP Shielded AI Practitioner®
Professional application-level certification demonstrating the ability to apply AI concepts appropriately in professional environments.
Suitable candidates
Individuals who use AI tools professionally, implement AI-enabled workflows, support AI projects, manage AI activities, evaluate AI tools, work with AI vendors and integrate AI into business processes.
Experience: 6–12 months relevant AI experience (education, training or practical evidence may substitute).
Assessment
Part A — Knowledge Examination (50–60 questions, 70% pass). Part B — Practical Case Study. Part C — Professional Scenario Assessment.
Assessment strands
Builds on the Knowledge capability of SAIF
- 1
Applied AI Knowledge
AI fundamentalsMachine learningGenerative AILLMsDataAI applications - 2
AI Use-Case & Solution Application
Problem identificationUse-case selectionAI suitabilityWorkflow integrationHuman-AI interactionImplementation considerations - 3
AI Risk Identification
Data risksModel risksOperational risksSecurity risksPrivacy risksBiasHallucinationMisuse - 4
Responsible AI Application
FairnessTransparencyExplainabilityHuman oversightAccountabilityResponsible deployment - 5
AI Governance in Practice
PoliciesControlsRolesDocumentationRisk registersApproval processesEscalationGovernance workflows - 6
Professional Judgement
Scenario analysisCompeting prioritiesRisk-based decisionsEscalationSelecting appropriate controls
Progression outcome: Demonstrates professional application of AI.
Assessment capability: Application of AI in professional environments.
Work professionally with AI
SAICIACAIP Shielded AI Certified®
Broad professional AI competence — the ability to evaluate AI technologies, applications, risks and governance requirements.
Suitable candidates
Professionals evaluating or governing AI across business and technical contexts.
Experience: 2 years relevant professional experience or equivalent education, training and demonstrable AI practice.
Assessment
Part A — Professional Knowledge Examination (75–100 questions, 90–120 min, 70% pass). Part B — Applied AI Case Study. Part C — Professional Interview.
Assessment strands
Builds on the Application capability of SAIP
- 1
Professional AI Knowledge
Advanced AI conceptsModel architectureData science fundamentalsAI system design - 2
AI Strategy & Implementation
AI strategyImplementation planningTechnology selectionOrganisational integration - 3
AI Risk Management
Risk frameworksRisk assessmentRisk treatmentMonitoringIncident management - 4
Responsible & Ethical AI
FairnessPrivacyTransparencyHuman oversightEthical decision-making - 5
AI Governance & Control
Governance structuresAccountabilityControlsRegulatory obligationsCompliance - 6
AI Assurance & Evaluation
Assurance approachesEvaluation methodsEvidence assessmentMaturity assessment - 7
Professional Practice & Judgement
AnalysisIntegrationCompeting prioritiesRisk-based decisionsDefensible conclusions
Progression outcome: Demonstrates broad professional AI competence.
Assessment capability: Professional judgement across AI technologies, risks, and governance.
Develop advanced domain expertise
SAISIACAIP Shielded AI Specialist®
Advanced specialist certification with configurable pathways. Holders of SAIC (or equivalent experience) can specialise in one of twelve domain areas.
Fees
Specialisations
14
Choose your pathway after payment
Specialist pathways — choose one
SAIC or equivalent professional experience. After payment, select one specialist pathway. Your credential will be composed as "IACAIP Shielded [Pathway] Specialist".
Suitable candidates
Experienced practitioners with substantial experience in a chosen specialism.
Experience: 3–5 years relevant professional experience including substantial experience in the specialism.
Assessment
Eight-component evidence-based assessment: 1) Experience & Eligibility, 2) Professional Evidence (CV + experience record), 3) Specialist Portfolio, 4) Case Studies (at least 2), 5) CPD, 6) Professional References, 7) Specialist Examination (50 questions, 90 min), 8) Structured Professional Interview. All eight components must be passed.
Assessment strands
Builds on the Professional Judgement capability of SAIC
Common professional core
- 1
Experience & Eligibility
Professional experience recordSpecialism evidenceEligibility verification - 2
Professional Evidence
CV and career historyAI experience recordRole responsibilities - 3
Specialist Portfolio
Portfolio of workProject evidenceSpecialism demonstration - 4
Case Studies
Detailed professional case studiesAt least two requiredSpecialism application - 5
CPD & References
Continuing professional developmentProfessional referencesOngoing learning - 6
Specialist Examination & Interview
Specialist knowledge examinationStructured professional interviewDomain mastery
Specialist strands by pathway
- 7
AI Governance Frameworks
Governance structuresPolicies & proceduresAccountability mechanisms - 8
Regulatory Compliance
Regulatory landscapeCompliance programmesRegulatory engagement - 9
Governance Risk Management
AI risk identificationRisk treatmentGovernance risk reporting
Progression outcome: Demonstrates advanced specialist expertise.
Assessment capability: Specialist expertise in a chosen domain area.
Established professional competence
SCAPIACAIP Shielded Certified AI Professional®
Professional credential recognising established AI professionals demonstrating competence, experience, CPD, responsible AI practice and ethical commitment.
Suitable candidates
Established AI professionals with relevant experience and an appropriate IACAIP certification.
Experience: 3 years relevant professional AI experience.
Assessment
Portfolio (profile, history, AI experience, case study, CPD, responsible AI statement, references) · structured professional interview.
Assessment strands
Builds on the Specialist Expertise capability of SAIS
- 1
Professional Profile
Career overviewProfessional standingAI role context - 2
Professional History
Employment historyAI experienceRoles and responsibilities - 3
AI Experience
Significant AI workProject involvementTechnical depth - 4
Significant Case Study
Detailed case narrativeCompetence demonstrationOutcome evidence - 5
CPD Record
Continuing professional developmentRecent learningRelevance to practice - 6
Responsible AI Statement
Ethical commitmentResponsible practiceProfessional conduct - 7
Professional References
Independent validationCompetence confirmationConduct attestation - 8
Structured Professional Interview
Professional judgementExperience discussionCompetence assessment
Progression outcome: Recognises established professional competence.
Assessment capability: Professional practice, experience, and ethical commitment.
Senior judgement, assurance & leadership
SAAPIACAIP Shielded Assurance AI Professional®
Highest-level individual designation for professionals demonstrating advanced expertise, substantial experience, leadership and independent professional judgement.
Suitable candidates
Senior AI professionals, assurance specialists, governance leaders, senior researchers, risk professionals, AI executives and consultants.
Experience: 5–7 years relevant professional experience.
Assessment
Stage 1 — Professional Portfolio. Stage 2 — Advanced Case Study. Stage 3 — Professional Interview / Viva. Stage 4 — Professional Review (certification panel).
Assessment strands
Builds on the Professional Practice capability of SCAP
- 1
Professional Portfolio
Senior experience evidenceLeadership recordAssurance practiceEvidence of independence - 2
Advanced Case Study
Complex scenario analysisAdvanced judgementStrategic reasoningAssurance conclusions - 3
Professional Interview / Viva
Independent judgementAssurance reasoningEvidence sufficiencySenior competence - 4
Professional Review (Panel)
Certification panel reviewPeer assessmentFinal designation decision
Progression outcome: Recognises senior assurance and leadership.
Assessment capability: Independent assurance, advanced judgement, and leadership.
Legacy specialist credentials
These credentials have been transitioned into the IACAIP Specialist Pathway. Existing holders' credentials remain valid and independently verifiable.
IACAIP Shielded General Purpose AI Certified®
→ IACAIP Shielded General-Purpose AI Specialist
Legacy credential — transitioned to the IACAIP Specialist Pathway. This credential remains valid and independently verifiable.
IACAIP Shielded AI Research Certified®
→ IACAIP Shielded AI Research Specialist
Legacy credential — transitioned to the IACAIP Specialist Pathway. This credential remains valid and independently verifiable.
IACAIP Shielded Healthcare AI Certified®
→ IACAIP Shielded Healthcare AI Specialist
Legacy credential — transitioned to the IACAIP Specialist Pathway. This credential remains valid and independently verifiable.
Shielded Framework Professional Credentials
Individual professional credentials for implementing and assessing against the IACAIP Shielded Framework®. Separate from the AI Professional career ladder.
IACAIP Shielded Professional®
Individual implementation credential
Recognises practitioners able to implement cybersecurity and AI governance using the IACAIP Shielded Framework®.
Assessment strands
- 1
Framework Knowledge
IACAIP Shielded FrameworkNIST CSF 2.0ISO/IEC 27001ISO/IEC 42001NIST AI RMF - 2
Implementation Competency
Framework implementationControl implementationSecurity implementation - 3
Cybersecurity
Security controlsThreat managementIncident responseAccess management - 4
AI Governance Implementation
AI governance implementationAI policiesAI risk management - 5
Risk Management
Risk assessmentRisk treatmentRisk monitoring - 6
Compliance & Regulatory Governance
Regulatory awarenessCompliance programmesRegulatory engagement
Progression outcome: Recognises practitioners able to implement the Shielded Framework.
Assessment capability: Framework implementation, cybersecurity, and AI governance.
Competencies
- • Governance
- • Framework implementation
- • Cybersecurity
- • Security implementation
- • AI governance
- • AI governance implementation
- • Risk management
- • Compliance
- • Regulatory governance
External alignment
IACAIP Shielded Auditor®
Individual professional credential
Recognises professionals qualified to conduct independent assessments against the IACAIP Shielded Framework®.
Assessment strands
- 1
IACAIP Assessment Methodology
Assessment approachAssessment planningAssessment execution - 2
Cybersecurity Assessment
Security control assessmentInformation security assessmentVulnerability assessment - 3
AI Governance Assessment
Governance evaluationAI policy assessmentAccountability review - 4
AI Risk Assessment
Risk evaluationRisk treatment reviewRisk monitoring assessment - 5
Evidence Review
Evidence collectionEvidence evaluationEvidence sufficiency - 6
Findings & Corrective Actions
Finding determinationCorrective action planningRemediation review - 7
Independent Assurance Reporting
Assurance conclusionsReport writingStakeholder communication
Progression outcome: Recognises professionals qualified to assess against the Shielded Framework.
Assessment capability: Independent assessment, evidence review, and assurance reporting.
Competencies
- • IACAIP assessment methodology
- • Cybersecurity assessment
- • Information security assessment
- • AI governance assessment
- • AI risk assessment
- • Evidence review
- • Findings & corrective actions
- • Independent assurance reporting
External alignment