The pre-professional examinations are designed as entry level path for those ultimately desirous of being chartered IT Professionals. The contents comprise courses that embody the stipulations specified for the National Diploma Certificates and equivalents obtainable in the Polytechnic and Colleges of Education system.
There are two levels of qualifications to be certified under the category of Pre-Professional Certificates. These are:
1.      CPN Foundation Certificate I (CFC I)
2.      CPN Foundation Certificate II (CFC II)
The body of knowledge contained in the CFC is intended to introduce IT Basics at levels  roughly equivalent to that of anyone who may have successfully completed 2 semesters at ND I level in a formal institution. The CFC is also equivalent to having completed an additional 2 semesters at ND II level. The table below highlights the relative academic and career weights to be accorded the two CPN qualifications.
 
CPN Certifications |
Academic Placement |
Civil Service Placement |
CFC I |
ND I Level - Polytechnic |
GL 05 |
CFC II |
ND II Level - Polytechnic 200 Level-University |
GL 06 |
 
Candidates who passes both the CFC I and CFC II are thus hereby deemed to have an equivalent of National Diploma based on the National Board of Technical Education (NBTE) Standard and Curriculum and can seek direct entry admission into 200 level in Universities.
The second category are self study candidates who are expected to furnish evidence of having undergone formal training for at least 300 Credit Hours in a CPN Accredited Training Institution for each of the respective qualifications.
CFC 2110 - Basic Computing
Concepts
CFC 2120 - Principles of Programming
/ System Analysis and Design
CFC 2130 - Operating Systems
CFC 2140 - Data Structures and
Algorithm
CFC 2150 - Multimedia Techniques
CFC 2160 - Digital Electronics/
Basic Hardware Maintenance
CFC 2170- Network Design Topology
and Protocols
 
CFC 2210 - Management Information
System
CFC 2220 - Introduction to
Programming Languages and Database
CFC 2230 - Computer Architecture
CFC 2240 - Multimedia
Programming/Digital Film Animation
CFC 2250 - Network Technologies/
Security
CFC 2260 - Entrepreneurship
Development
CFC 2270 - Computer and Society,
Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct
 
The second category are self-studied candidates who are expected to produce evidence of having
undergone formal training in hands-on areas of the courses for at least three (3)  months in any CPN Accredited Training Institution.