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Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM) FAQs
What is the name of the new qualification?ISM has chosen the title — Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM) as the name of the new qualification. The CPSM is slated to be the profession's most rigorous qualification. It will be the standard for all professionals in supply management. Therefore, the words "Professional in Supply Management" are emphasized. Per ISM's definition of supply management and its components, the CPSM is much more than purchasing. Why do we need the new CPSM qualification?The development of the CPSM further enhances ISM's mission to lead supply management. The qualification will recognize the expanded education, skills and experience needed to be successful as a supply manager. Today's professionals are facing both increasingly complex supply relationships and a greater reliance on technology. ISM assumes the responsibility to raise its professional and educational standards to meet the current and future demands of the profession. ISM's Certification Committee and ISM's Board of Directors agree that the development of the Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM) qualification is a necessary and forward-thinking move for the organization and the profession. The CPSM will include information on all segments of supply management as defined by ISM. See "Supply Management: Maximizing Opportunities, Managing Risk." Have any criteria for the CPSM been determined?Yes. The Certification Committee recommended and the Board of Directors approved that a Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution and at least five years of professional supply management experience will be required for the CPSM. Current C.P.M.s who hold a Bachelor's degree and wish to bridge to the CPSM must also have at least five years of professional supply management experience. Has the recertification period for the CPSM been determined?CPSMs will be required to recertify every three years with 60 Continuing Education Hours (CEHs). A one year grace period will be given. Exam modules may only be re-taken in the last year of certification or within the grace period year. Each unique exam will be worth 20 CEHs. Recertification within the grace period will reset the certification date to a new date of approval and new expiration date. Candidates in their grace period will not be recognized as a CPSM nor will they be allowed to use the designation. Will a C.P.M. give me a head-start on achieving the CPSM if I choose to pursue it?Attaining your C.P.M. will be a great start to achieving the CPSM. ISM encourages all who are in the process of attaining your C.P.M. to finish your effort. The C.P.M. designation will be advantageous in pursuing the new qualification if you also posses a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution and have five years or more of professional supply management experience. The bridge 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 content of the three CPSM exams. The bridge exam will be available to test through the end of 2014. Will there be a test? If so, how many modules? What is the new qualification going to test on?The ISM Certification Committee has proposed that the CPSM examination process consist of three separate exams which together will cover the main segments of supply management. Exam content will address today's supply environment and workplace complexities such as risk, strategic sourcing, technology and increased skills needed for supply professionals to drive value in their organizations. Will it be possible to achieve Lifetime Qualification status for the CPSM?No. Lifetime status will not be associated with the CPSM. Since the profession is continuing to increase in complexity, continuing education will play a major role in making sure supply managers stay current on the latest supply management best practices. Why should I pursue the CPSM qualification?The CPSM qualification will enable professionals to gain a clear understanding of their organization's supply operation and enable managers to take an active role in critical decisions. Each step in the development of an organization's products and/or services is controlled by supply management. Current evolution of the profession dictates that a strategic level qualification is needed for professionals to effectively implement innovative supply strategies throughout their entire organization. The CPSM will be a milestone for those professionals who take ownership of their careers. Surveys indicate those with professional designations report higher annual compensation than those without certification. Pursuing your CPSM qualification is your chance to leverage your knowledge and experience into career advancement. Why should my organization support my pursuit of the CPSM?Organizations have communicated to ISM that they value the C.P.M. as evidence of a solid baseline of purchasing knowledge. The CPSM qualification will also recognize individual competencies in the broader area of supply management. Because the CPSM will emphasize major segments of the supply management profession, holders of the qualification will attain a greater understanding of their organization's supply network and have the skills to make more accurate and profitable decisions. Supply managers control their organization's resources — capital, products and/or services. Each decision they make has a direct impact on these resources, making the role of the supply manager key to the organization's success. Strategic level qualification is needed for these professionals to implement innovative supply strategies that will be effective and profitable throughout their entire organization. When will the CPSM qualification be available?ISM plans to begin the CPSM qualification program in 2008. As this process moves forward, ISM will ensure that the dates, policies and procedures are communicated through the ISM Web site, newsletters and e-mail updates. Be sure to sign up for CPSM updates. I hear that other organizations are publicizing new supply chain certifications. Isn't ISM duplicating their efforts?The Institute for Supply Management™ has been in the process of developing the new CPSM qualification since 2003. A great deal of preparation has already gone into this effort. While it is true that other organizations have unveiled new certifications, the CPSM is targeting supply management professionals who are strategic thinking and wish to have a broad understanding of all components of the profession. It will focus on strategic supply management, not fundamental or tactical level knowledge and contain the most comprehensive body of knowledge in this area. Thus, preparation for the CPSM qualification is progressing at a more calculated rate. What will happen to the C.P.M.?The C.P.M. will continue to be a valuable designation within the supply management profession. ISM has developed a bridging process for current C.P.M.s who have a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution and a total of five or more years of professional experience. C.P.M.s who do not possess a Bachelor's degree may continue to recertify as long as they remain in good standing and do not let their certification lapse. Note: If current C.P.M.s plan to recertify using Modules 3 and /or 4 of the Exam they must register with ISM by postmarking or entering their registration no later than December 31, 2008. After January 1, 2010, Modules 3 and/or Module 4 will no longer be an option for earning CEHs toward recertification. With all of the changes to the C.P.M. program that are coming, what important dates do I need to remember?
 Why don't you just update the current C.P.M.?The C.P.M. designation does not lend itself to being re-purposed to the extent required to cover the increasingly broad spectrum of supply management competencies. The C.P.M. primarily tests a specific segment of supply management — purchasing. It has remained such a highly credible professional designation that has worldwide recognition. The profession is changing and as such, so must ISM. The CPSM will test on the expanded components of supply management and like the C.P.M. it will be relevant to all industry sectors. Why not continue the C.P.M., since it has significant worldwide recognition?The CPSM will transcend the real and perceived limits of the C.P.M.s purchasing focus by corresponding directly to the evolution of the profession to expand on supply management. By creating the CPSM, ISM ensures that professionals have broad-based strategic expertise in the major segments of supply management. While the C.P.M. is indeed a mark of excellence on a global scale, it still does not address many aspects and functions that fall under the umbrella of supply management. See "Supply Management: Maximizing Opportunities, Managing Risk." How do I recertify my C.P.M. if you are no longer issuing it?At this time, ISM has no plans to stop the recertification process for the C.P.M. program. Current C.P.M.s must maintain their designation in good standing. If C.P.M.s lapse after ISM has discontinued the C.P.M. Exam, they will not be able to recertify. Currently, to be recertified for the C.P.M., you must apply every five years and have earned 84 CEHs (Continuing Education Hours). You may obtain CEHs in these ways: two-thirds of the hours may come from education or professional development, while one-third may come from contributions to the profession. The CEHs may be earned by teaching or taking college courses, or continuing education programs or making contributions to the profession. Modules 3 and 4 of the C.P.M. Exam may be currently taken to earn CEHs. If you plan to recertify using Modules 3 and /or 4 of the Exam you must register with ISM by postmarking or entering your registration no later than December 31, 2008. After January 1, 2010 Modules 3 and/or Module 4 will no longer be an option for earning CEHs toward recertification. What if I do not have a bachelor's degree and am not eligible for the CPSM?If you do not have a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution then you would not be eligible to apply for the CPSM Will I still be able to use my C.P.M. designation after the CPSM is developed?Your C.P.M. will continue to be a valuable designation within the purchasing profession. However, your certification must remain in good standing. ISM has granted nearly 44,000 C.P.M.s over the 31-year history of the program. Your C.P.M. signifies a level of knowledge that no one can take away. Is ISM going to send out notification of the changes to current C.P.M.s and to those who are currently working toward their C.P.M.?ISM will communicate relevant timelines and information concerning this change to stakeholders. We will make every effort to contact all those affected. Be sure to sign up to receive CPSM updates. If I still want to get my C.P.M., how should I proceed?Earning a C.P.M., still requires that you pass Modules 1, 2, 3 and 4. (Note: Please see Questions 13 and 21 regarding cut-off dates for testing and applying for your C.P.M.) For the C.P.M., purchasing or supply management must be your primary function. In addition, you will need to have five years of applicable experience for the C.P.M., or a minimum of a bachelor's degree and three years of such experience. Experience is defined as full-time professional (non-clerical, non-support) supply management experience.
If I am scheduled to take the C.P.M. Exam, should I still take it?Yes. Your exam registrations are valid for one year from the day you register with ISM.
I just bought C.P.M. study materials from ISM. Can I exchange them for CPSM study materials?ISM is still developing the formal criteria for the CPSM, so at this time we cannot state if any of the C.P.M. study materials may be applicable. ISM does have a customer satisfaction return policy if you are not satisfied with the materials. Will my C.P.M. Exam scores be good toward the CPSM?No, but if you have your C.P.M., a Bachelor's from a regionally accredited institution and five or more years of professional supply management experience, you will be able to bridge to the CPSM qualification. The bridge will be a single exam module that covers contemporary subject matter as well as material not covered in the current C.P.M. exam but found within the content of the three CPSM exam modules. The bridge exam will be available to test through the end of 2014. If the CPSM won't be developed until 2008, should I wait for it or should I try to work toward my C.P.M.?Although the C.P.M. is purchasing-focused, it still demonstrates that you have earned a high-level designation within one of the primary components of supply management. By attaining the C.P.M., you will receive a valuable professional designation in the immediate future. By obtaining ISM's new CPSM qualification, you will have the benefit of multiple, globally relevant qualifications to advance your career. ISM stands behind the integrity of the C.P.M. How will I know what is going on with the CPSM and with the C.P.M.?Information will be provided on the ISM Web site, in Supply Line 2055: Certification Update, in NewsLine, through affiliate leadership and via e-mail updates to subscribers. Be sure to sign up to receive CPSM updates. If you have questions or comments, contact ISM Certification at: certification@ism.ws. Go to Certified Purchasing Manager (C.P.M.) Program and Exam FAQs Go to Certified Purchasing Manager (C.P.M.) Recertification FAQs Go to Accredited Purchasing Practitioner (A.P.P.) Program and Exam FAQs Go to Accredited Purchasing Practitioner (A.P.P.) Reaccreditation FAQs Go to Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM) Requalification FAQs Return to the Professional Credentials Main Page |
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