Which Certification is right for YOU?

Take the Quiz!

Walk through the graphic below to see what certifications may fit your current experience and interests. You will find more details on each numbered certification below the graphic. (Information on eligibility is subject to change by the proctoring organization. Please visit the linked websites to discover testing windows and more information.)

1. Certified in Planning and Inventory Management (CPIM)

Eligibility:

•  CPIM Part 1 and CPIM Part 2 exams must be passed within three years of each other to earn the CPIM designation

Proctoring Organization: Association for Supply Chain Management (ASCM)

Description:

OR Resilience and agility are what make supply chains thrive in today’s rapidly changing world. Becoming CPIM certified shows employers that you know how to effectively manage disruptions, demand variations and supply chain risk.

https://www.ascm.org/learning-development/certifications-credentials/cpim/

2. NIGP Certified Procurement Professional (NIGP-CPP)

Eligibility*: (*not all listed in quiz above)

• Graduate degree with a specific concentration in public administration, public policy, supply chain, procurement, or economics and 2 years (24 months) relevant full-time work experience involved with procurement (public or private, purchaser or seller) within the past 10 years OR
• Bachelors or higher degree (any discipline) and a graduate-level certificate in public administration, public policy, supply chain, or procurement and 3 years (36 months) relevant full-time work experience involved with procurement (public or private, purchaser or seller) within the past 10 years OR
• Bachelors degree or higher (any discipline) and 4 years (48 months) relevant full-time work experience involved with procurement (public or private, purchaser or seller) within the past 10 years OR
• Two-year post-secondary diploma OR associate degree (any discipline) OR NIGP Public Procurement Associate Designation and 6 years (72 months) relevant full-time work experience involved with procurement (public or private, purchaser or seller) within the past 10 years OR
• No post-secondary diploma required, but 8 years (96 months) relevant full-time work experience involved with procurement (public or private, purchaser or seller) within the past 10 years OR
• Currently certified as a CPPO/CPPB or your certification has lapsed recently (within 1 year from date of NIGP-CPP application), then you qualify for the NIGP-CPP Bridge Exam, where you will only take Module B of the 2 part exam to become CPP certified

Proctoring Organization: National Institute of Governmental Purchasing (NIGP)

Description:

NIGP’s Certified Procurement Professional designation (NIGP-CPP)  targets current and aspiring leaders in the public procurement profession.  The program offers unique attributes when compared to other procurement-related professional certifications and is one of several ways a procurement professional can be publicly recognized for the achievement of competencies.

https://www.nigp.org/certification/nigp-cpp

3. Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM)

Eligibility:

• Three years of full-time, professional supply management experience (non-clerical and nonsupport) with a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution or international equivalent OR
• Five years of full-time, professional supply management experience (non-clerical and nonsupport) without a qualified bachelor’s degree

Proctoring Organization: Institute of Supply Management (ISM)

Description:

By earning a CPSM® designation, you will have an unparalleled supply management certification. Not only will you stand apart from your peers, you will have advanced skills and knowledge and a greater understanding of end-to-end supply chain. A CPSM® certification will position you to obtain both your personal career goals and to support the goals and outcomes of the organizations for which you work.

https://www.ismworld.org/certification-and-training/certification/cpsm/

4. Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB)

Eligibility:

• Completion of a 2-year, post-secondary education program that results in a degree, diploma or certificate, 3 years of experience within the previous 10 years, and 72 contacts hours of procurement-related coursework/training completed within the previous 10 years OR
• 5 years of experience within the previous 10 years and 72 contacts hours of procurement-related coursework/training completed within the previous 10 years

Note: A minimum of 50% of the required years of experience must be in public sector (remaining experience may be from either public or private sector)

Proctoring Organization: Universal Public Procurement Certification Council (UPPCC)

Description:

The CPPB program is designed for individuals who are responsible for performing essential functions within the procurement cycle for a public/governmental entity but may or may not have management or supervisory responsibilities. Clerical and administrative-support positions within procurement are excluded.

https://uppcc.org/Certification

5. Certified Public Procurement Officer (CPPO)

Eligibility:

• Bachelors Degree or higher earned from an accredited institution of higher learning, 5 years of procurement experience within the previous 10 years, and 96 contact hours of procurement-related coursework/training completed within the previous 10 years.

Note: A minimum of 50% of the required years of experience must be in public sector (remaining experience may be from either public or private sector) AND a minimum of 3 years must be in a management or supervisory position.

Proctoring Organization: Universal Public Procurement Certification Council (UPPCC)

Description:

The CPPO program is geared towards individuals in leadership and management positions within a public/governmental entity. These individuals may or may not be performing the buying for the public entity, but do either supervise a staff of buyers, the procurement department, the public agency, etc. or manage at least one essential function of the procurement cycle (i.e. contracting).

https://uppcc.org/Certification

6. Certified Professional Contract Manager (CPCM)

Eligibility:

• At least a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited educational institution, at least five years of relevant work experience, and minimum of 120 hours of continuing professional education

Proctoring Organization: National Contract Management Association (NCMA)

Description:

For professionals who have mastered the competencies in the Contract Management Body of Knowledge (CMBOK)®. This pinnacle certification is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and based on the internationally recognized Contract Management Standard™.

https://www.ncmahq.org/Web/Certification/CPCM.aspx

7. Project Management Professional (PMP)

Eligibility*: (*not all listed in quiz above)

• A four-year degree, 36 months leading projects, and 35 hours of project management education/training or CAPM^® Certification OR
• A high school diploma or an associate’s degree (or global equivalent), 60 months leading projects, and 35 hours of project management education/training or CAPM^® Certification

Proctoring Organization: Project Management Institute (PMI)

Description:

The Project Management Professional (PMP)^® is the world’s leading project management certification. Now including predictive, agile and hybrid approaches, the PMP^® proves project leadership experience and expertise in any way of working. It supercharges careers for project leaders across industries and helps organizations find the people they need to work smarter and perform better.

https://www.pmi.org/certifications/project-management-pmp