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Pre-launch · Training and the Level 0 test are open. Proctored exams for Levels 1–5 begin with the first exam window (Q1 2027).

NPSA

Scope

This standard applies to any person who writes, reviews or maintains instructions for large language models in a professional setting. It is model-agnostic and vendor-neutral. It does not certify models, products or organisations.

Levels

NPSA-STD-1 levels
LevelTitleVoucher
0Prompt Engineering Foundations
Competencies
  • Understanding what a prompt is, how models interpret instructions, and the limits of model knowledge
  • Separating instruction, context, examples and output format within a single prompt
  • Writing clear, specific, unambiguous instructions for a defined task
  • Reading a model response critically: spotting omissions, fabricated facts and format drift
  • Recognizing common failure modes (vague asks, missing context, overloaded prompts) and avoiding them
  • Iterating deliberately — changing one thing at a time and comparing results
Free
1Certified Prompt Practitioner
Competencies
  • Understanding what prompts are and how they influence model outputs
  • Writing clear, specific instructions
  • Providing useful context
  • Defining desired output formats
  • Iterating on prompts to improve results
  • Recognizing common prompting limitations
$50
2Advanced Prompt Engineer
Competencies
  • Structured prompt design
  • Context management
  • Multi-part instructions
  • Role and task framing
  • Output constraints and formatting
  • Iterative refinement
  • Evaluating output quality
  • Adapting prompting approaches to different use cases
$100
3Senior Prompt Engineer
Competencies
  • Complex prompt architecture
  • Multi-step prompting
  • Reusable prompt systems
  • Workflow design
  • Prompt testing and evaluation
  • Error analysis and refinement
  • Context-window awareness
  • Managing consistency across repeated tasks
$150
4Master Prompt Engineer
Competencies
  • Advanced prompt-system architecture
  • Multi-stage workflow design
  • Prompt libraries and reusable frameworks
  • Tool-assisted AI workflows
  • Evaluation methodologies
  • Quality assurance
  • Failure analysis
  • Designing reliable human-AI workflows
  • Applying prompting techniques to complex real-world problems
$250
5Grand Master of Prompt Engineering
Competencies
  • Advanced prompt strategy
  • End-to-end prompt-system design
  • Complex AI workflow architecture
  • Cross-model prompt adaptation
  • Advanced evaluation and optimization
  • Reliable human-AI collaboration
  • Governance and risk awareness
  • Strategic application of generative AI
  • Designing scalable, reusable AI solutions
  • Demonstrating exceptional judgment in complex applications
$400

Assessment

3.1Level 0 is assessed by an unproctored online test and is a prerequisite for all other levels.

3.2Levels 1 to 5 are assessed by a 90-minute online proctored examination. Levels may be taken in any order once Level 0 is held.

3.3Examinations are booked with a voucher. One voucher admits one candidate to one sitting.

Credentials

4.1A pass issues a numbered certificate and a seal. Both carry a verification URL.

4.2Credentials are valid for three years from the examination date.

4.3Certificates, seals and embed snippets are available to the holder at any time from their account.