ISM - Professional Credentials - How to Get Started on Your C.P.M. Designation

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How to Get Started on Your C.P.M. Designation

You've decided to strengthen your skills set and expand your career by getting your C.P.M. Congratulations! If you're like most people, you probably have a lot of questions — questions about eligibility, study materials, testing requirements and certification. This online guide will help direct you to where you can find answers on ISM's Web site. While not all-inclusive, it is designed to help C.P.M. candidates understand what is involved in the certification process and how to prepare for your C.P.M. exam modules.

There are five basic steps to the C.P.M. certification process:

Determine Eligibility
Exam Preparation
Registering for Your Exam
Exam Testing
Applying for Certification

Eligibility — The first thing you want to do is evaluate your eligibility. Applicants for C.P.M. certification must (a) have five years of full-time professional (non-clerical, non-support) supply management experience, or (b) have a four-year degree from an accredited institution and three years of full-time professional supply management experience. If you're not sure about your eligibility, contact ISM Certification at certification@ism.ws.

Exam Preparation — Next, you will want to consider how you will prepare for each of the four exam modules you must pass to receive your C.P.M.. It is important to note that in effective exam preparation, your method of study in addition to which materials you use, can make a significant impact upon your success. Because candidate backgrounds vary significantly, we recommend a course of study and the specific use of materials which are pertinent to the exam. See Study Materials and Methods for the C.P.M. Exam. ISM also offers additional educational materials through our product catalog and also on the ISM Web site. Click here to see a complete selection of C.P.M. Study Materials.

Registering for Your Exam — You must first register for your C.P.M. Exam with ISM. You may register online, by telephone, by fax, by mail or special courier. Click here to see detailed information.

Second, register with Prometric Testing Centers to take the exam. Prometric is a leading provider of technology-based solutions for testing and certification, administers computer exam testing for the C.P.M. To see a list of test centers near you, visit Prometric at www.2test.com and select "Locate a Test Center."

Prometric Testing Centers
Domestic Fees: USD $190 per module/ISM members USD $130 per module
International Fees: USD $230 per module/ISM members USD $175 per module

The Institute for Supply Management™ also offers onsite certification testing and review. With onsite testing and review, businesses control the environment and can create an atmosphere that best matches their individual culture. ISM recommends two days of review per module. However, many instructors can perform a one-day session with the understanding that students study on their own before taking the class. A minimum number of participants for onsite C.P.M. Exams is required. Check with your senior management to see if onsite testing is offered through your organization. Click here to find out more about onsite testing and review.

For questions regarding onsite testing and review, please contact ISM's Sales Department at 800/888-6276 extension 3086 or 3061 for specific information.

Exam Testing — There are four (4) exam modules you must pass to receive your C.P.M..

MODULE 1: PURCHASING PROCESS (95 questions)
MODULE 2: SUPPLY ENVIRONMENT (95 questions)
MODULE 3: VALUE ENHANCEMENT STRATEGIES (95 questions)
MODULE 4: MANAGEMENT (120 questions)

Click here for detailed information on the C.P.M. Exam.

Applying for Certification — When you have successfully completed all four modules of the C.P.M. Exam, you may apply for C.P.M. Original Certification. Applications for Original and Original Lifetime Certification are available on the ISM Web site. All applications must be complete and submitted in English. Click here for detailed information.

For all other questions, contact ISM Certification at certification@ism.ws, or call 800/888-6276, extension 3074.

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