# ISO/IEC 42001 Lead Implementer: pre-course reading list

A list to paste into joining instructions, or to work through yourself. Sources and fees were read on
2 October 2026. Times are our suggestion, not PECB's.

PECB's course prerequisite: "a general knowledge of the AIMS and ISO/IEC 42001".

## Before Day 1

| Done | Read | Why | Cost | Our time estimate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| [ ] | ISO/IEC 42001:2023, the standard (51 pages, published 18 December 2023) | The exam is about it, and a hard copy is one of the three things PECB allows into the open-book exam | CHF 225 for one user on the IEC Webstore (electronic or hardcopy); multi-user copies offered | 3 hours, once through |
| [ ] | PECB Candidate Handbook, ISO/IEC 42001 Lead Implementer, version 1.5 | The six exam domains, the 80 questions, the 70% pass mark and the exam rules | Free PDF | 30 minutes |
| [ ] | EU AI Act, Regulation (EU) 2024/1689: Article 5, Article 6 with Annex III, and Article 50 | Exam domain 1 includes the EU's classification of AI systems by risk level | Free (EUR-Lex) | 1 hour |
| [ ] | Optional: NIST AI RMF 1.0 (NIST AI 100-1, January 2023) | Context: NIST's voluntary AI risk framework, built on four functions, Govern, Map, Measure and Manage | Free (nist.gov) | 1 hour |
| [ ] | Optional, UK cohorts: GOV.UK guidance for the AI Management Essentials tool | UK government self-assessment that draws on ISO/IEC 42001 | Free (gov.uk) | 30 minutes |

Links:
- ISO/IEC 42001:2023 on the IEC Webstore: https://webstore.iec.ch/en/publication/90574
- PECB Candidate Handbook: https://pecb.com/pdf/candidate-handbooks/pecb-candidate-handbook-iso-iec-42001-lead-implementer.pdf
- EU AI Act, Official Journal: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/1689/oj
- NIST AI RMF: https://www.nist.gov/itl/ai-risk-management-framework
- AI Management Essentials guidance: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/ai-management-essentials-tool/guidance-for-using-the-ai-management-essentials-tool

## Things to know before you arrive

- [ ] The exam is on Day 5: 80 multiple-choice questions in 3 hours, 70% (56 correct) to pass.
- [ ] Open book allows three things: a hard copy of ISO/IEC 42001, your training course materials, and
      personal notes taken during the training course. Notes made before the course are not on that list;
      ask your training provider before relying on them.
- [ ] Bring a valid identity card (national ID card, driver's license or passport).
- [ ] If you fail, the course page says course takers can retake once free within 12 months of the first exam date.

## Free planning sheets (credentialpress.com)

- Study planner by domain: https://credentialpress.com/guides/iso-42001-lead-implementer-study-plan
- Exam rules and question counts: https://credentialpress.com/guides/iso-42001-lead-implementer-exam
- How to tab the standard for an open-book exam: https://credentialpress.com/guides/pecb-open-book-exam-rules
- Experience needed for each credential level, with a project activity log: https://credentialpress.com/guides/iso-42001-lead-implementer-requirements

Credential Press is independent of PECB, ISO and IEC. Free to copy into course joining instructions.