The Foundation Level addresses the advanced beginner in Requirements Engineering and provides the core knowledge of this topic. Everyone working with Requirements Engineering, Business Analysis, software and systems development, who is demanding in terms of quality and professionalism, should strive for it. The Foundation Level encompasses the elicitation of requirements with appropriate documentation, requirements verification and validation as well as their management throughout the end-to-end product life cycle.
There are no prerequisites to applying for the Foundation Level.
A person with a CPRE FL certificate
The applicable syllabus for education in the Foundation Level is:
See the downloads at the bottom of this page
(other languages are currently being translated)
For English, German and Persian: Exams can onyl be taken based on syllabus version 3.0.
For Dutch: From February 1, 2021 until July 31, 2021 exams for the CPRE Foundation Level certificate can be taken both, based on syllabus version 2.2 and syllabus version 3.0. Candidates may choose. From August 1, 2021 on, exams can only be taken based on syllabus version 3.0.
French, Portuguese (Brazil), Russian: From April 1, 2021 until September 30, 2021 exams for the CPRE Foundation Level certificate can be taken both, based on syllabus version 2.2 and syllabus version 3.0. Candidates may choose. From October1, 2021 on, exams can only be taken based on syllabus version 3.0.
For Italian: From May 1, 2021 until October 31, 2021 exams for the CPRE Foundation Level certificate can be taken both, based on syllabus version 2.2 and syllabus version 3.0. Candidates may choose. From November 1, 2021 on, exams can only be taken based on syllabus version 3.0.
For Chinese, Swedish: From July 1, 2021 until December 31, 2021 exams for the CPRE Foundation Level certificate can be taken both, based on syllabus version 2.2 and syllabus version 3.0. Candidates may choose. From January 1, 2022 on, exams can only be taken based on syllabus version 3.0.
All other languages: Exams for the CPRE Foundation Level certificate can be still be taken based on syllabus version 2.2 only. As soon as the CPRE Foundation Level syllabus 3.0 is published in a certain language, there will be a transition period of six months for this language during which the exam can be taken both on the basis of syllabus version 2.2 and on the basis of syllabus version 3.0.
The basis for the teaching content is provided by the CPRE FL syllabus, the CPRE Glossary, the book Requirements Engineering Fundamentals (corresponding to syllabus 2.2) or the CPRE FL handbook (corresponding to syllabus 3.0).
Attending a CPRE training course is recommended but not mandatory. The training providers recognized by IREB can prepare participants optimally for the exam.
For further information see training
Especially for CPRE aspirants in countries where CPRE training providers are few and far between, an online training course can be a good alternative to classroom training.
For available online training courses see online training
It is also possible to prepare for the CPRE exam via self-study.
The examination consists of a written examination (multiple choice test).
For further information see exams
Training providers usually offer packages that include both the CPRE training course and the sitting of the subsequent exam on-site, administered by an independent certification body.
Following an online training course or a self-study course the CPRE exam can also be taken in a test center. During the COVID-19 pandemic IREB allows exceptionally remote proctored exams as well.
For possibilities to take the exam see the list of certification bodies.
The CPRE Foundation Level syllabus states IREB's requirements for candidates to pass the Foundation Level exam and become a Certified Professional for Requirements Engineering. For this purpose the detailed content of each required training section is specified, as well as key words, learning targets and the recommended duration of the lessons. This document is meant to serve as a concept for the training provider's course material as well as a means for candidates preparing for the exam individually.
Dutch only valid until July 31, 2021!
French, Portuguese (Brazil) and Russian only valid until September 30, 2021!
Italian only valid until October 31, 2021!
Chinese and Swedish only valid until December 31, 2021!
For transition periods, please see the notes on the CPRE Foundation Level page
Major update of the CPRE Foundation Level syllabus
English and German valid from October 1, 2020!
Dutch valid from February 1, 2021
French, Persian, Portuguese (Brasil) and Russian valid from April 1, 2021
Italian valid from May 1, 2021
Chinese and Swedish valid from July 1, 2021
Other languages are not yet available. For transition periods, please see the notes on the CPRE Foundation Level page
The CPRE Foundation Level syllabus states IREB's requirements for candidates to pass the Foundation Level exam and become a Certified Professional for Requirements Engineering. For this purpose the detailed content of each required training section is specified, as well as key words, learning targets and the recommended duration of the lessons. This document and the handbook are meant to serve as a concept for the training provider's course material as well as a means for candidates preparing for the exam individually.
This handbook complements the syllabus for the Foundation Level 3.0
The handbook addresses training providers who want to offer training courses for the Foundation Level according to the IREB standard, as well as trainees and interested practitioners who want to get a detailed insight into the content of the Foundation Level.
This handbook does not replace a training course!
This document lays out the IREB's conditions for the CPRE Foundation Level examination. It contains detailed information on duration, structure and types of questions, with some representative examples as well as special regulations.
The practice examination comprises 46 questions in the same form, structure and style as the live examination (approximately 45 questions).
The downloads also contains solutions and correction aids.
Aligned to the CPRE Foundation Level syllabus version 2.2
The practice examination comprises 46 questions in the same form, structure and style as the live examination (approximately 45 questions).
The downloads also contains solutions and correction aids.
Aligned to the CPRE Foundation Level syllabus version 3.0
This document guides you through the registration process for CPRE Foundation Level online exams at PEARSON VUE test centers.
Aligned to the most recent edition of the book Requirements Engineering Fundamentals, the CPRE Glossary aims to collect existing knowledge on Requirements Engineering terminology and define core terminology carefully and consistently.
Aligned to the CPRE Foundation Level syllabus version 2.2 The glossary aligned to the CPRE Foundation Level syllabus version 3.0 will be published soon.
The CPRE glossary is available in English and Chinese (Mandarin).
The English document includes - in addition to the definition of terms in English - cross references in Dutch, French, German, Hungarian, Italian, Polish, Portuguese (Brazil), Russian, Spanish and Swedish.
Aligned to the CPRE Foundation Level syllabus version 3.0
The CPRE glossary is available in Chinese, Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Persian, Portuguese (Brazil), Russian and Swedish. Additional translations are in preparation.
Languages other than Chinese and English contain cross references for the terms plus the definition of terms in English
This glossary defines the terms which are relevant in the context of the RE@Agile.
The RE@Agile glossary is available in English and Chinese (Mandarin).
The English document includes - in addition to the definition of terms in English - cross references in French, German, Italian and Portuguese (Brazil).
Yes, it is possible. Ideally refer to both the CPRE Foundation Level syllabus and to the book Requirements Engineering Fundamentals.
Check out the practice examination to verify whether you are sufficiently well-prepared for the exam.
The CPRE Foundation Level certificate - or an equivalent - is the prerequisite for admission to the CPRE Advanced Level examination.
The British Computer Society (BCS) offers a variety of diplomas for professional development. Within the diploma Business Analysis there is a certificate Requirements Engineering. This certificate has a large overlap with the CPRE Foundation Level certificate. Therefore BCS and IREB have closed an agreement that candidates who have completed the BCS Certificate in Requirements Engineering will be exempt from taking the IREB CPRE Foundation level to progress to the Advanced level.
REQB® will be integrated into IREB® and all REQB® members are welcome to become members of the IREB® organization. REQB® members may become members of the existing IREB® working groups and an International Development group, consisting of IR IREB® and REQB® members, will be established to further internationalize and grow certification in Requirements Engineering.
There will be a single RE certification scheme, presented under the IREB® brand, based on the current IREB® CPRE certification scheme. Contents from the REQB® certifications will be integrated where appropriate.
After October 1st, 2017 only IREB® CPRE certificates will be issued.
All REQB certificates keep their validity.
Our partner GASQ has provided a form where you can request the change of your REQB certificate .
Please contact GASQ at info@gasq.org for further information on the conversion of certificates.
Conversion of the REQB® Foundation Level certificate to an IREB® CPRE Foundation Level certificate is required in order to be eligible for IREB® CPRE Advanced Level certification (see above).
For the IREB® CPRE Expert Level, the REQB® Advanced Level certificate will be accepted as one of the required prerequisites.
The following REQB® certificates can be registered after conversion to the corresponding IREB certificate:
Registration without previous conversion:
All REQB® training providers may offer IREB® CPRE training courses and become official training providers of IREB®.
Existing contracts between training providers and REQB® will be fulfilled by IREB®.
Please send a mail to info@gasq.org
The exam in the Foundation Level is a multiple choice questionnaire. For details see the exam regulations of the Foundation Level.
The exam in the Advanced Level consists of a multiple choice questionnaire and a written assignment. For details see the exam regulations of the Advanced Level.