The WIO-COMPAS Program used input from regional MPA leaders and international experts to establish the set of competences (levels of understanding and abilities) required for a professional standard of performance in management of MPAs. There are seven competence areas and within each, the professional must demonstrate a level of technical and management understanding and ability in order to become certified. For each competence there are detailed standards which identify the level that a candidate must achieve to receive certification. The number and degree of competences vary between the three levels of certification offered. The WIO-COMPAS competences complement other international assessment Programs such as the WIO MPA Management Effectiveness and World Bank MPA Scorecard. Detailed lists, by Level, of the competences and their associated standards are included in Appendices C through E.

Each of the first six core areas has detailed competences and standards (levels of understanding and ability). The seventh competence area is Leadership, Ethics and Innovation. It serves to integrate across all the competences and to assess the intangible skills and performance of a professional. This competence is scored differently and contributes up to 15% of the overall assessment score.