SAFe Lean Portfolio Management (LPM) certification guide delivers a concise exam overview with domains, format, question count, passing score, costs, languages, prerequisites, course structure, and study resources to help you earn the credential and drive enterprise agility.
The SAFe Lean Portfolio Management (LPM) certification empowers leaders and practitioners to strategically align investments, initiatives, and execution within a Lean-Agile enterprise. This guide provides a clear, focused overview to help you understand the structure and intent of the certification so you can confidently prepare and succeed.
How does the SAFe Lean Portfolio Management certification advance enterprise agility?
The SAFe Lean Portfolio Management certification validates your ability to align strategy and execution through Lean principles, Agile practices, and portfolio-level coordination. It focuses on how enterprises define strategic themes, guide investment funding, manage flow, and measure outcomes to maximize customer and business value. Professionals who earn this certification are equipped to drive organizational agility across value streams, enabling efficient decision-making, adaptive budgeting, and continuous improvement at scale.
Who Should Pursue the SAFe Lean Portfolio Management (LPM) Certification?
The SAFe Lean Portfolio Management (LPM) Certification is designed for professionals who want to connect strategy to execution across complex enterprises. It’s ideal for individuals responsible for aligning business strategy, budgeting, and agile operations at scale.
This certification is an excellent fit for:
Executive Leaders and Business Owners
Enterprise and Solution Architects
Product Management Program Leads
PMO Directors and Portfolio Managers
Agile Coaches and Transformation Leaders
If your goal is to bring clarity, focus, and agility to how your organization funds, plans, and executes strategic initiatives, this certification provides you with the framework and tools to do so confidently.
What Roles Can Benefit from the SAFe LPM Certification?
Earning the LPM certification positions you for leadership roles that oversee strategic alignment and agile delivery. Common job titles that benefit include:
Director of Portfolio Management
Agile Program Manager
Enterprise Transformation Lead
Strategic Investment Manager
Lean Governance Consultant
Many LPM-certified professionals also advance into SAFe Practice Consultant (SPC) roles or lead enterprise-wide transformations that require synchronization between multiple agile release trains (ARTs).
What Is the Current Exam Version and Code?
The current version of the exam is LPM, delivered as part of the latest Scaled Agile Framework updates. This version reflects modern SAFe principles and emphasizes agile funding, organizational alignment, and value-driven portfolio flow.
How Long Is the SAFe LPM Exam?
You’ll have 90 minutes to complete the certification exam. The timebox ensures focus while allowing adequate time to analyze each question carefully, particularly those that require applying Lean-Agile concepts to real-world portfolio management situations. It’s a concise but thorough exam experience that evaluates your readiness to lead enterprise agility.
How Many Questions Are on the SAFe Lean Portfolio Management Exam?
The exam includes 45 multiple-choice questions. Each question is carefully structured to test your understanding of SAFe principles, portfolio strategy, lean budgeting, and governance. You’ll encounter scenario-based items that assess practical application rather than rote memorization.
What Score Do You Need to Pass?
To pass, you must earn a 77% score, demonstrating your comprehensive understanding of Lean Portfolio Management. This means correctly answering the majority of questions across the seven key content domains. A balanced approach to studying all topics will help ensure a strong performance.
How Much Does the Exam Cost?
Your first exam attempt is included in the course registration fee when taken within 30 days of course completion. If you need to retake, the fee is $50 USD. This cost includes access to exam functionality and support resources within the Scaled Agile Learning Plan.
What Format Does the Exam Use?
The exam is web-based, closed-book, and single-select multiple choice. You’ll complete it online after finishing your instructor-led training course. A digital practice test is also available, offering unlimited attempts with instant feedback so you can build confidence before taking the official version.
In What Languages Is the Exam Offered?
The SAFe LPM exam is available in multiple languages, reflecting its global reach and adoption. You can take the exam in:
English
French
German
Japanese
Korean
Simplified Chinese
Spanish
Brazilian Portuguese
This multilingual availability ensures professionals around the world can certify and apply SAFe principles in their native language.
What Are the Domains Covered on the SAFe LPM Exam?
The exam blueprint is divided into seven key domains that together validate your understanding of Lean Portfolio Management:
Introducing Lean Portfolio Management (12–14%)
Establishing Portfolio Strategy and Vision (14–16%)
Realizing Portfolio Vision Through Epics (12–14%)
Establishing Investment Funding (16–18%)
Managing Portfolio Flow (16–18%)
Applying Agile Portfolio Operations (12–14%)
Applying Lean Governance (8–10%)
Each domain assesses your ability to connect strategic planning, execution, and funding using lean and agile principles.
Are There Any Prerequisites for the SAFe LPM Exam?
There are no formal prerequisites, but Scaled Agile recommends completing the two-day LPM training course before attempting the exam. Familiarity with agile principles, portfolio operations, and SAFe fundamentals will enhance your learning experience. Individuals already practicing SAFe or leading staff across value streams will especially benefit.
How Is the SAFe Lean Portfolio Management Course Structured?
The course is instructor-led and delivered over two days, either in-person or virtually. It combines lectures, hands-on workshops, and group discussions that bring Lean Portfolio Management to life. Participants use activities like the Portfolio Canvas and Participatory Budgeting simulations to directly apply key concepts to their organization.
What Skills Will You Gain from the LPM Course?
By completing the course and certification, you will:
Learn to align strategy with execution through portfolio visioning and roadmapping
Understand Lean Budgeting and Guardrails for funding value streams
Optimize Portfolio Flow with Kanban systems
Lead Agile Portfolio Operations across multiple teams and value streams
Apply Lean Governance for continuous compliance and performance measurement
These skills position you as a trusted leader capable of guiding enterprise transformation.
What Materials and Support Are Provided?
After completing training, you receive access to digital study tools, a course workbook, and the official Scaled Agile learning platform. You’ll also have an unlimited practice test with question-level feedback, helping you identify areas for improvement before the real exam. Scaled Agile provides continued access to its support community for both learning and certification inquiries.
How Are Retakes Managed?
If you do not pass on your first attempt, retakes are straightforward:
First retake: immediately available
Second retake: available after 10 days
Third retake: available after 30 days
Subsequent retakes: require a 30-day wait
The structured pace supports continuous learning and mastery of SAFe LPM concepts.
How Long Does the Certification Remain Active?
Your SAFe Lean Portfolio Manager credential renews annually. Keeping your certification active gives you access to exclusive SAFe+ benefits, including webinars, workshops, online learning resources, and updated content to maintain your edge in enterprise agility.
What Are the Benefits of Earning the SAFe LPM Credential?
Holding this certification demonstrates advanced understanding of lean governance and budgeting principles. You’ll gain:
A digital badge for professional credibility and sharing online
Access to the SAFe community network for collaboration and mentoring
Continuous learning through premium content and SAFe Summit recordings
Recognition as a leader equipped to align enterprise vision and strategic funding
How Can I Best Prepare for the LPM Exam?
Preparation starts with your course materials and practice tests. Additionally, explore real-world applications of Lean Portfolio Management and collaborate with peers in the SAFe community.
For structured practice, consider working through comprehensive SAFe LPM practice exam simulations that mirror the real test environment and provide detailed coaching feedback.
What Happens After You Earn the Certification?
Once certified, you’ll join a global network of Scaled Agile professionals who share insights and mentor others. You’ll also gain access to SAFe Skills Library resources and continuing education modules to keep your knowledge up-to-date.
What Makes Scaled Agile’s LPM Certification Unique?
Unlike many project management credentials, SAFe’s LPM certification focuses on strategic enterprise alignment through Lean and Agile principles. It combines the mindset, processes, and governance needed to achieve measurable outcomes, ensuring you lead with purpose and adaptability in a fast-changing digital environment.
Where Can I Register for the Official SAFe Lean Portfolio Management Certification?
The SAFe Lean Portfolio Management Certification empowers leaders to shape agile portfolios built on clarity, alignment, and innovation. With guided training, real-world applications, and continuous learning pathways, you’ll be ready to lead enterprise transformation with confidence and measurable impact.