Purchasing: Associations, Certifications, Costs & Benefits

500,000 Jobs

According to the Bureau of Labor there were 500,000 jobs in the purchasing field in 2012 with a median salary over $60,000.

Common Titles in Purchasing

  • Purchasing Agent
  • Purchasing Analyst
  • Purchasing Manager
  • Purchasing Coordinator
  • Purchasing Assistant
  • Purchasing Director
  • Buyer
  • Buyer/Planner
  • Sr. Buyer
  • VP of Purchasing
  • Supply Chain Specialist
  • Supply Chain Specialist Analyst
  • Procurement Analyst
  • Procurement Specialist
  • Procurement Associate
  • Inventory Control Coordinator
  • Assistant Purchasing Manager
  • Sourcing Manager
  • Supply Chain Analyst
  • Purchasing Representative

Who Joins?

About three quarters of purchasing professionals are members of at least one organization.

Who gets Certified?

Only those who apply

A high level summary of professional purchasing associations and their available certifications.

PURCHASING

CERTIFICATIONS

U.S. PURCHASING GROUPS

  • APICS - American Production and Inventory Control Society
  • APS - American Purchasing Society
  • ISM - Institute for Supply Management
  • NLPA - Next Level Purchasing Association
  • NCMA - National Contract Management Association
  • CSCMP - Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals

APICS

American Production and Inventory Control Society

http://www.apics.org/

Annual Cost: $200

Founded: 1957

Membership: 37,000

Certifications: CPIM, CSCP, CFPIM

*Affiliated with IFPSM

CPIM

Certified in Production and Inventory Management

  • 100,000 certifications have been issued globally
  • Exam $165/$250 member/non-member price
  • Study Materials $1,250

  • 75 points to renew on a five year cycle

  • Renewal fee $75/$150 member/non-member price

CSCP

Certified Supply Chain Professional

  • 12,000 certifications have been issued globally
  • Exam $165/$250 member/non-member price.
  • 75 points to renew on a five year cycle
  • Renewal fee $75/$150 member/non-member price

CFPIM

Certified Fellow in Production and Inventory Management

  • Number issued unknown
  • Exam $165/$250 member/non-member price.
  • 100  points to renew on a five year cycle
  • Renewal fee $75/$150 member/non-member price

APS

American Purchasing Society

https://www.american-purchasing.com/

Annual Cost: $199 ($45 new member fee)

Founded: 1969

Membership: 1,600

Certifications: CPP, CPPM, CGPP, CPPC

CPP

Certified Purchasing Professional

  • Estimated less than 2,000 issued
  • Exam $294/450 member/non-member price (Processing fee)
  • Preparation Course $540/$660 member/non-member price
  • Renewal fee $115 member/non-member price
  • Renews on a five year cycle with additional CE

CPPM

Certified Professional Purchasing Manager

  • Exam $285 member/non-member price (Processing fee)
  • Preparation Course $440/$560 member/non-member price
  • Renewal fee $115 member/non-member price
  • Renews on a five year cycle with additional CE

CGPP

Certified Green Purchasing Professional

  • Exam $285 member/non-member price (Processing fee)
  • Preparation Course $215/$265 member/non-member price
  • Renewal fee $115 member/non-member price
  • Renews on a five year cycle with additional CE

CPPC

Certified Professional Purchasing Consultant

  • Exam $285 Flat member/non-member price (Processing fee)
  • Renewal fee $115 member/non-member price
  • Renews on a five year cycle with additional CE

ISM

Institute for Supply Management

http://www.ism.ws/

Annual Cost: $210

Founded: 1915

Membership: 45,000

Certifications: CPSM, CPSD

CPSM

Certified Professional in Supply Management

  • Practice Exam $59/$89 member/non-member price
  • Study Guide $79/$119 member/non-member price
  • Online Review Course $199/$299 each member/non-member price
  • Exam $199/$329 member/non-member price
  • Application Fee $99/$159 member/non-member price
  • 60 Continuing Education Hours for renewal on a 3-year cycle

CPSD

Certified Professional in Supplier Diversity

  • Self-Study Work Book $169/$219 member/non-member price
  • Study Guide $59/$89 member/non-member price
  • Online Practice Exam $59/$89 member/non-member price
  • Exam $199/$329 member/non-member price
  • Application Fee $99/$159 member/non-member price
  • 60 Continuing Education Hours for renewal on a 3-year cycle

NLPA

Next Level Purchasing Association

http://www.nextlevelpurchasing.com

Annual Cost: Free

Premium Membership: $99

Membership: 275,000

Founded: 2000

Certifications: SPSM (Levels 1-4)

SPSM

Senior Professional in Supply Management

  • Over 2,000 have been issued
  • Certification Program $1,149
  • Certification & Enhanced results Certification Program $1,999
  • 32 Continuing Education Hours for renewal on a 4-year cycle

SPSM 2

Senior Professional in Supply Management  Level 2

  • Certification Program $949
  • Enhanced results Certification Program $1,749
  • 32 Continuing Education Hours for renewal on a 4-year cycle

 

SPSM 3

Senior Professional in Supply Management  Level 3

  • Certification Program $949
  • Enhanced results Certification Program $1,749
  • 32 Continuing Education Hours for renewal on a 4-year cycle

SPSM 4

Senior Professional in Supply Management  Level 4

  • TBD

NCMA

National Contract Management Association

http://www.ncmahq.org/

Annual Cost: $150 (New member Fee $25)

Membership: 22,000

Founded: 1959

Certifications: CPCM, CFCM, CCCM, ICCM-D, ICCM-F

CPCM

Certified Professional Contracts Manager

  • Study Guide $75/$90 member/non-member price
  • CMBOK Textbook $50/$60 member/non-member price

  • Guide Book $40/$50 member/non-member price

  • Practice Exams (5) $100

  • Application Fee $199/$375 member/non-member price

  • $125 Exam Fee

  • 60 Continuing Education Hours for renewal on a 2-year cycle

CFCM

Certified Federal Contracts Manager

  • Study Guide $75/$90 member/non-member price

  • Guide Book $40/$50 member/non-member price

  • Application Fee $150/$325 member/non-member price

  • $125 Exam Fee

  • 60 Continuing Education Hours for renewal on a 2-year cycle

CCCM

Certified Commercial Contracts Manager

  • Certification Fee $150/$325 member/non-member price

  • $125 Exam Fee

  • 60 Continuing Education Hours for renewal on a 2-year cycle

ICCM-D

Industry Certification in Contract Management–Defense

  • Application Fee $475/$299 member/non-member price

  • Renewal Fee $100/$50 member/non-member price

  • 80 Continuing Education Hours for renewal on a 2-year cycle

ICCM-F

Industry Certification in Contract Management–Federal

  • Application Fee $475/$299 member/non-member price

  • Renewal Fee $100/$50 member/non-member price

  • 80 Continuing Education Hours for renewal on a 2-year cycle

CSCMP

Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals

http://cscmpcertification.org/

Annual Cost: $295

Membership: 8,500

Founded: 1963

Certifications: SCPro (Levels 1 - 3)

SCPro (Level 1)

  • Study Materials $700
  • Test Registration $650
  • 60 Continuing Education Hours for renewal on a 3-year cycle

SCPro (Level 2)

  • Study Materials $550/850 Member/Non-Member price
  • Test Registration $650
  • 60 Continuing Education Hours for renewal on a 3-year cycle

SCPro (Level 3)

  • Paired with Academic Advisor
  • Test Registration $650
  • 60 Continuing Education Hours for renewal on a 3-year cycle

ANALYTICS

What's the benefit?

  • Stronger Resume
  • Improved Skills
  • Increased Income

Certifications Earn!

According to the ISM 2013 Survey their CPSM certification holders earn 9% more in average salary compared with those without credential

Source: http://www.ism.ws/files/Tools/2013ISMSalarySurveyBrief.pdf