ISO/IEC 42001 Foundation

Many organizations now use AI to answer customer questions, screen job applications, write content and support decisions. AI saves time, and it can also make mistakes, treat people unfairly or expose private data.

ISO/IEC 42001 is the international standard for managing AI in an organization. It sets out how an organization gives people clear roles for AI and assesses the risks and impacts of each AI system. The organization then checks and improves how it uses AI over time. This way of working is called an AI management system, or AIMS. It applies to organizations that build AI, offer AI-based products or services, or use AI in their work.

The PECB ISO/IEC 42001 Foundation training course gives you the essential knowledge of AI management and the main requirements of ISO/IEC 42001. It shows how organizations set responsibilities, manage AI risks and oversee their use of AI. A good first course for anyone new to AI management systems.

Course Summary

Delivery format: Self-study
Language: English
Suggested study schedule (The Tech Academy): 7 days at 3 hours a day, about 21 hours in total. Plan more time if the subject is new to you or you want extra practice and revision. PECB plans this course as two days of study, including the exam.
Included: More than 200 pages of PECB course material, the exam and certificate fees and an attestation of course completion worth 14 CPD credits
Credential: Passing the exam lets you apply for the PECB Certificate Holder in ISO/IEC 42001 Foundation credential. It is open to everyone who passes the exam and signs the PECB Code of Ethics
Support: Exam support from The Tech Academy, including office hours every two weeks for 90 days from enrollment, comes with this course. See Exam Support on this page.

Why Should You Attend?

As organizations adopt AI, they need people who know how to manage it responsibly. This course covers the basics of an AIMS: context, policy, risk planning, support, operation, performance evaluation, internal audit, management review and continual improvement.

After the course, you can sit the exam and apply for the PECB Certificate Holder in ISO/IEC 42001 Foundation credential. It gives you a base for AI governance and compliance work and for the more advanced ISO/IEC 42001 courses.

Who Should Attend?

Career changers moving into governance, risk and compliance (GRC) roles, such as GRC Analyst
Graduates who want to show proof of their skills at interviews with a PECB certificate
Professionals who want a working knowledge of the ISO/IEC 42001 requirements
Managers and consultants who want to build their knowledge of AI management
People who manage or implement AI systems
People who oversee AI-related projects

Learning Objectives

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

Explain the basic concepts and principles of AI management
Describe the main ISO/IEC 42001 requirements for an AIMS
Identify approaches, methods and techniques for implementing, managing and improving an AIMS

Exam Support from The Tech Academy

Your course includes exam support from The Tech Academy, prepared separately from PECB's training materials:

Study plan: a 7-day plan at 3 hours a day that covers the two exam domains in order
Practice questions: questions for each exam domain, written by The Tech Academy, with an explanation for every answer
Study-notes guidance: how to build notes that follow the exam domains, for study and revision
Practice assessment: a timed check, scored by exam domain, that shows your strengths and the areas to revise
Exam-day checklist: how to prepare for the online exam, from the technical check 48 hours ahead to your ID and the materials allowed on your desk
Office hours: live sessions with Dr. Rose Shumba every two weeks for 90 days from enrollment, for questions about your course and about taking the PECB exam, open to everyone enrolled in this course

Educational Approach

Theory combined with practical examples of applying ISO/IEC 42001
Essay-type exercises and multiple-choice quizzes, some based on scenarios
Quizzes structured like the certificate exam

Prerequisites

This course is open to everyone, including people new to AI management.

Course Agenda

The topics follow PECB's two-day plan for this course. At your own pace, you work through them in this order.

Day 1: Introduction to artificial intelligence management systems and ISO/IEC 42001
Day 2: Artificial intelligence management system and the certificate exam

Examination

The PECB ISO/IEC 42001 Foundation exam covers two competency domains:

Domain 1: Fundamental principles and concepts of an artificial intelligence management system
Domain 2: Artificial intelligence management system

PECB's list of exams gives the exam type, duration and available languages.

Certificate Requirements

Credential	Exam	Professional experience	AIMS project experience	Other requirements
PECB Certificate Holder in ISO/IEC 42001 Foundation	PECB ISO/IEC 42001 Foundation exam	None	None	Sign the PECB Code of Ethics

Questions About Enrolling

Does passing the exam make me certified?

Passing the exam lets you apply for a PECB credential, and PECB reviews your application. Foundation credentials are open to everyone who passes the exam and signs the PECB Code of Ethics. For Lead Implementer, Lead Auditor and Lead Manager courses, PECB awards the level that matches your experience. If you are new to the field, you start at the Provisional level and can apply to upgrade as you gain experience. Each course page lists the requirements for every level.

Can I add a portfolio program?

Yes, with ISO/IEC 27001 Foundation, ISO/IEC 27001 Lead Implementer and ISO/IEC 42001 Lead Implementer. Each portfolio program is a separate Tech Academy program with its own price and enrollment.

Explore the portfolio programs and find the one for your course

Do I need a portfolio program to get exam support?

Exam support, including office hours every two weeks for 90 days from enrollment, comes with the ISO/IEC 27001 and ISO/IEC 42001 courses themselves. Portfolio programs are an optional extra, sold separately.

Can I join a portfolio program if I trained with another provider?

Yes. Each portfolio program is sold on its own, for anyone who is taking or has completed the matching training.