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FOR RELEASE: February 2, 2006

CONTACT: Jean McHale
  ISM Public Relations
  800/888-6276 ext. 3143
  jmchale@ism.ws

Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM) is Name for New Qualification

Qualification sets the standard for all supply management professionals

TEMPE, Ariz., February 2, 2006 — Institute for Supply Management™ (ISM) announces Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM) as the title for the profession's new qualification. The Certified Professional in Supply Management is slated to be the qualification that supply management professionals strive to obtain. The CPSM will debut in 2008.

ISM's Certification Committee, chaired by Susan I. Scott, C.P.M., A.P.P., met recently to finalize the name. "The Certification Committee believes that supply professionals will benefit from the CPSM qualification because it will address multidimensional roles such as strategic sourcing, commodity management, logistics management, supplier relationship management and supplier diversity," Scott says. ISM's Board of Directors recently approved the CPSM name on the recommendation of the Certification Committee.

The Certification Committee proposed that the CPSM examination process consist of three separate exams that cover a broad spectrum of supply management. The Exams will address the current supply environment including workplace complexities such as risk and compliance management, strategic sourcing, social responsibility and increased skills needed for supply professionals to drive value in their organizations. In addition, candidates seeking the CPSM must hold a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution and demonstrate a minimum of five years of professional supply management experience as part of the application process.

ISM Certification Committee member Karen M. Fedele, C.P.M., says the CPSM qualification will offer new synergies to supply management professionals. "Achieving a qualification that spans across supply management will demonstrate a total proficiency greater than a proficiency in any one individual component of supply management," Fedele says.

The ISM Board of Directors recently approved a bridging process to the CPSM for professionals with the Certified Purchasing Manager (C.P.M.) designation. As a prerequisite, these professionals must hold a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution and have five years of professional supply management experience. The bridge exam, which is under development, will be a single exam covering contemporary subject matter. It will also include material not covered in the current C.P.M. Exam but found within the three CPSM exams. When completed, the bridge exam will be available for use through the end of 2014.

Visit the ISM Web site for Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), detailed information on all new and current Certification programs or to sign up for e-mail updates on the CPSM at www.ism.ws/Certification/NewSupplyMgmtQual.cfm. Contact ISM Certification at 800/888-6276, extension 3027.

As the oldest and largest supply management institute in the world, the mission of the Institute for Supply Management™ (ISM) is to lead supply management. ISM defines supply management as the identification, acquisition, access, positioning and management of resources the organization needs or potentially needs in the attainment of its strategic objectives. By executing and extending its mission through education, research, standards of excellence, influence building and information dissemination — including the renowned monthly ISM Report On Business® — ISM continues to extend the global impact of supply management. ISM's membership base includes more than 40,000 supply management professionals in 75 countries. Supply management professionals are responsible for trillions of dollars in the purchases of products and services annually. ISM is a member of the International Federation of Purchasing and Supply Management (IFPSM). Visit ISM's Media Room at www.ism.ws, Quick Search: QS130.


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