·         CSCP (Certified supply chain professional ) – gaining this certification helps demonstrate to employers that the individual is an industry expert and is knowledgeable in the best practises and is skilful in their knowledge.

·         CPIM (certified in production and inventory management) – Gaining this certification will be demonstrating the ability to understand and evaluate production and inventory activities within a company’s global operations. Similarly this certification looks to demonstrate to employers that you are an industry expert.

Depending on what the person wants to demonstrate has skills in or future plans, they can choose either certification, the website does have a section to help individuals choose which certifications would be better suited to them.

Depending on demonstrated experience, Knowledge and other qualifications exemptions from certain exams or qualifications can be permitted.

The website also has an email to help people assess what level they are at and therefore what exams they need to take before being able to then sit the final set of exams.

See if you are also eligible for exemptions

They also accept individuals with other accreditations e.g. CSM, CIRM etc.

However for the CPIM certification an individual needs to have 2 years’ experience in the field, they don’t require a degree.

There are certificates for those with level 2 + education qualifications.

If an individuals does not have a degree but has been working in a relevant field for more than two years they are advised to start at the Diploma in procurement and supply.

Those with a relevant business degree or similar qualification can gain exemptions for certain units.

Link to the different certifications offered can be found here.

1 exam

4 hours

Can be paper based or computer based

Offered 3 times a years

Price are above £1000

The  CPIM exam:

5 exams

75 questions each

3 hours per exam

Computer based testing

Cost could be around $450

5 per certification level (choices available from 8 courses in later levels)

3 hours

Computer based

Throughout the year

The fee to take the exam ranges from £75 – £100, with additional costs of the centres.

(Could be exempt from some certificates or exams)

Below are some of the topics covered by the CPIM:

·         procurement management

·         supplier planning

·         capacity planning

·         sales and operations planning

·         continuous improvement

Each certificate has 4-8 modules

Each module has an exam

(the types of exam range from multiple choice to scenario based question, short and essay style questions).

For more information on the different modules and what they cover please select below:

Diploma in Procurement and Supply

Advance Diploma in Procurement and supply

Professional Diploma in procurement

·         self-study

·         instructor lead course

·         group or co-operate learning

·         Online instructors

They have two main UK centres but many online resources.

Here is a list of the different types of resources offered:

·         E-learning platform which is £120 per unit (certificate) and for £540 for 5 units.

·         8 online tutors per module case studies ,

·         8 hours of interactive e-learning access to module information for a year

·         Self-study.

Here is a link to their range of study options available:

Abide by their code of ethics and also earn 75 maintenance points* every 5 years.

If not achieved then the individual will be suspended from their qualification.

*Maintenance points  can be gained through Continuing education (attending internal and external seminars/ lectures) , dong presentations ,publications, and educational development

Here is link the maintenance of the certification:

The main type is the international professional is for those outside North America offering members online resources, networking opportunities and local training courses.

They also have a young professional for students who graduated during the last two years.

Another type of membership is corporate membership for organisations.

Here is the link to different types of memberships available :

·         Affiliate member this is anyone who is not looking to become certified but has a strong interest in procurement and supply. (no need to have past experience or studied the subject).

·         Studying member – this is anyone who is currently studying the subject giving access to a multitude of resources.

·         MCIPS this is for anyone who has gained the certification and gives access to all the resources and discussion zone a professional can use.

·         Fellows are the highest level of membership given to those who achieve a gold standard in the field.

Here is the link to the membership page