From SCDigest's On-Target e-Magazine
Dec. 6, 2011
Supply Chain News: New ISM Supply Management Certification for Non-Degreed Professionals Goes Live
New Certified in Supply Management Credential First Announced in September Now Available for Training, Testing
SDigest Editorial Staff
The new Certified in Supply Management (CSM) credential first announced in August by the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) is now open for business, as ISM met its schedule to have to the exam available by mid-November. The CSM designation is targeted for non-degreen supply management professionals for whom there was not a real credential option until the new CSM program.
Starting now, eligible candidates can register through ISM for the CSM exam, and will have one year from the date they register to schedule their computer-based test. Opportunities for on-site CSM Exam testing and review are also available.
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CPSM program required that to receive the actual ISM credentials, someone passing the three required exams had to also have a four-year college degree.
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What Do You Say?
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All the way back in 1974, ISM developed the well-known certified purchasing manager (C.P.M.) designation. That certification was focused primarily on knowledge relative to core purchasing/procurement subject matters.
In 2008, ISM released a new Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM) credential program that was meant to move a bit higher up the supply chain to expand the subject matter to a broader range of supply management issues. As a result of this new program, the C.P.M. program was retired in 2009 in terms of new certifications, but existing C.P.M. designees can still re-certify;.
The CPSM program, however, required that to receive the actual ISM credentials, someone passing the three required exams had to also have a four-year college degree. In other words, a purchasing manager could pass all the exams, but was ineligible to receive the the CPSM status from ISM if they lacked that degree.
But there many purchasing managers out there that have significant experience and knowledge, but who lack that four-year degree, perhaps having a two-year degree, or maybe no degree at all. Now, they will be able to receive a new Certified in Supply Management (CSM) credential if they pass the same three exams that are required for the CPSM certification and have at least five years of professional experience if they have no degree, or three years experience if they have a two-year degree.
As with other ISM certifications, the exams are delivered through Pearson VUE testing centers around the world.
ISM spokesperson Jean McHale said in September that this new certification was needed not only to meet the needs of procurement managers lacking a full college degree, but also for the companies that employ them. She said, for example, that a company may have a goal of having its entire supply management staff get credentialed, but until now the only option for any non-degreed managers was to just pass the exams because there was no path for them to receive the ISM credentials.
This move actually brings the total current certification programs to three, those being CSPM and CSM programs described above and an also new Certified Professional in Supplier Diversity (CPSD) program ISM launched in January 2011.
Additionally, ISM offers a "Bridge" program for both the CPSM and CSM programs, in which experienced professionals with a current CPM certification can skip the first basic exam in the three-part exam series
Below, we summarize these various ISM programs.
ISM Certification Program Summary
Program |
Focus |
Requirements |
| Certified Purchasing Manager (C.P.M.) |
Covered the operational aspects of purchasing, but also includes supply functions such as agreements, negotiations, technology and relationship management. |
No longer offered as new certification, in a sense supplanted by CPSM/CSM, but current C.P.M. designees can be recertified indefinitely.
Involved a series of four exams. |
| Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM) |
More comprehensive knowledge relative to broader issues in supply management versus the C.P.M. program |
Bachelor’s degree from regionally accredited institution or international equivalent
3 year of full-time, professional supply management experience (non-clerical, nonsupport)
Pass series of three exams |
| Certified in Supply Management (CSM) |
Same as CPSM |
If no degree, 5 years full-time, professional supply management experience (non-clerical, non-support).
If two-year degree, 3 year of full-time, professional supply management experience (non-clerical, non-support)
Pass series of three exams |
| "Bridge Exam " Program for CPSM/CSM |
Achieve the CPSM or CSM certification through one exam, rather than the three-part series. |
Already have the CPM certification and be in "good standing"
Pass consolidated exam of the three CPSM/CSM tests beyond the operational purchasing aspects tested in the C.P.M. exams. |
| Certified Professional in Supplier Diversity (CPSD) |
Knowledge, skills and expertise in supplier diversity, and/or managers/execs with responsibility for strategic diversity initiatives. |
Successfully pass exam 1 of the CPSM program. This requirement is waived if the candidate holds a current CPM or CPSM.
Successfully pass the CPSD exam.
Minimum of five years professional (non-clerical, non-support) supplier diversity or supply management experience (does not need to be primary function), or three years of professional (non-clerical, non-support) supplier diversity or supply management experience if the candidate has a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university. |
What Does it Cost?
There are a variety of paths/options for preparing for each certification program, meaning total costs can vary. For example, training and study materials are available on-line at the ISM web site. Additionally, local ISM affiliates (chapters) often offer training. Costs also vary depending on whether a procurement manager is an ISM member or not.
(Sourcing and Procurement Article Continues Below) |
There may also be special programs for companies committing to certify multiple staff members.
That said, ISM offers some rough guidelines for the costs for an individual to become certified using official ISM programs, whether he or she pays for it themselves or the company foots the bill, as shown below.
Estimated Certification Costs from ISM by Program
Component |
ISM Members |
Non-members |
Bridge Exam ISM Members |
Bridge Exam Non-members |
CPSM and CSM Study Guide (includes Bridge) |
USD $59 |
USD $89 |
USD $59 |
USD $89 |
ISM Professional Series (includes Bridge) |
USD $195 |
USD $280 |
USD $195 |
USD $280 |
CPSM and CSM™ Diagnostic Kit, print |
USD $79 |
USD $99 |
USD $49 |
USD $69 |
CPSM or CSM Exams,
$180 ISM members/$265 nonmembers each exam |
USD $540
(3 Exams) |
USD $795
(3 Exams) |
USD $180
(1 Exam) |
USD $265
(1 Exam) |
CPSM or CSM Application fee |
USD $90 |
$150 |
USD $90 |
USD $150 |
Total |
USD $963 |
USD $1,413 |
USD $573 |
USD $853 |
ISM Professional Credentials Committee Chair Karen Fedele said in September that "The CSM meets the needs of a large number of our constituents who want a designation that accurately reflects their knowledge and dedication to their chosen career, but were not in a position to pursue a four-year degree. I'm thrilled ISM has added this current, relevant designation option that recognizes the expanded sphere of supply management."
Is this new certification for non-degreed professionals a good idea? Let us know your thoughts at the feedback button below.
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