Credentials

Certifications are an evaluation against a predetermined set of industry standards for knowledge, skills or competencies and independent of a class, course or training provider. The credential requires maintenance and post-nominal acronyms (i.e. John Smith, CSCP) are awarded. Endorsements are a recognition of an additional skill obtained as a result of a specific training or education program. Endorsements do not require maintenance and post-nominal acronyms may be awarded. Certificates are a recognition of attendance and participation at a learning event or program. Certificates do not require maintenance and post-nominal acronyms are not awarded.

No, membership is not required to become certified. However, ASCM PLUS members receive a discount on APICS CPIM, APICS CSCP and APICS CLTD exam fees, courseware materials and educational programs. Nonmembers may register for exams, but they must first create an ASCM account online to obtain an APICS ID.

No. Your membership status must be active when you Request an Authorization to Test to ensure that you receive the member rate.

Yes. To preserve the integrity and value of APICS certification programs, all designees must meet certification maintenance requirements. The APICS certification maintenance program allows designees to acquire ongoing knowledge in their field and demonstrate a commitment to lifelong learning through professional development activities. Go to apics.org/maintenance for specific maintenance requirements.

APICS certification follows an industry best practice standard for high-stakes certification programs to evaluate the job roles of supply chain and operations management practitioners and to identify how the functions, skills and knowledge needed in the role evolve over time. The Job Task Analysis (JTA) evaluation is conducted for CPIM and CSCP every 3-5 years through an extensive international research project. Qualitative and Quantitative results are reviewed by a panel of industry subject matter experts who change CPIM and CSCP content as outlined in the Exam Content Manual (ECM) based on the research data

Certification and education, or courseware, serve different purposes but are closely related to provide an individual with the knowledge, skills, and proof of competency in a given job role. APICS courseware is designed as a REVIEW course and not for education. The purpose of education is first, to convey knowledge. Certification has a very different purpose than education. It is to determine whether the candidate meets a minimum set of requirements in relation to the Operations Management Body of Knowledge as outlined in the exam content manual (ECM). Certification examinations test both the individual’s knowledge and his or her ability to apply that knowledge to specific situations. Certification exam items frequently require the candidate to make finer distinctions than the exercises or items presented in a course.

All candidates have the opportunity to provide direct unfiltered feedback by using the Comment Sheet. A link to the form will be sent by email after you take an APICS CPIM or CSCP exam. Please make sure you provide a valid email address. Or, send your feedback to exams@apics.org.