What Is CPIM Certification, and Do I Need It?

Key takeaways

Certified in Planning and Inventory Management (CPIM) is a globally recognized certification that demonstrates your supply chain expertise.

• The exam score range for CPIM version 8.0 is 200 to 350, with a score higher than or equal to 300 classifying you as a passing candidate. 

• The CPIM exam covers topics such as supply chains and strategy, sales and operations planning, and supply and demand.

• You can work as a supply chain manager, production planner, materials manager, or supply chain planner with the CPIM qualification.

Learn whether you should invest your time and money in obtaining the CPIM credential and whether it fits your current professional goals. Afterward, start learning with the Supply Chain Management Specialization. In as little as two months, you can complete four basic courses in logistics, operations, planning, and sourcing, followed by a capstone course in supply chain management strategy. By the end, you’ll have a shareable certificate to add to your professional profile. 

What is CPIM certification? 

Certified in Planning and Inventory Management (CPIM) is a globally recognized certification offered by the Association for Supply Chain Management (ASCM), formerly known as the American Production and Inventory Control Society (APICS).

Notably, CPIM is graded via a scaled score methodology to maintain equivalent passing standards for varying difficulty levels in the certification. 

CPIM certification cost, version, and scoring

*As of November 2025, 8.0 is the latest version of the CPIM. 

The ASCM introduced version 8.0 of the CPIM certification in February 2023. Transitioning from the format of two exams in CPIM version 7.0, CPIM 8.0 introduces a unified exam covering the topics and terminology featured in both CPIM Part 1 and CPIM Part 2 exams. Here are the pricing details for the same [1]:

• Member: $1,240

• Nonmembers and members without certification upgrade: $1,720

The exam score range for CPIM version 8.0 is 200 to 350. A score higher than or equal to 300 will classify you as a passing candidate. If you currently hold an active CPIM certification using the CPIM 7.0 EXAM, you need not recertify, although you can take the new exam to earn professional development points needed to keep your CPIM current. 

Study resources for APICS CPIM 

Additionally, the APICS 2024 CPIM Self-Study Exam Prep kit, or Learning System, is available through the ASCM at a price of $1,240 for members and $1,720 for nonmembers [1]. The Bundle, which includes the CPIM Learning System, Exam, and 2nd Chance Exam with Membership, is available for $2,230 for members and $3,110 for nonmembers [1]. 

Does CPIM certification expire?

Once you earn your CPIM certification, you'll need to earn 75 professional development points every five years to keep it current. You can earn your points in a variety of ways, including taking the CPIM 8.0 exam, taking college courses related to supply chain, attending professional development activities, writing relevant books or articles, and many more. 

What's on the CPIM certification exam?

The CPIM 8.0 includes the following topics:

• Supply chains and strategy

• Sales and operations planning

• Demand

• Supply

• Detailed schedules

• Inventory

• Distribution

• Quality, technology, and continuous improvement

The exam comprises 150 questions covering the aforementioned topics and provides a 3.5-hour timeframe for completion.

Who should get CPIM certification?

If your work responsibilities include any of the following supply chain functions, it’s worth considering CPIM certification to add to your professional skills: 

• Handling an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system

• Supervising the master production schedule

• Assisting with materials requirement planning (MRP)

• Directing capacity requirement planning

• Facilitating manufacturing inventory management and control

• Managing aspects related to manufacturing finance

Benefits of being CPIM certified

If you are a supply chain professional or aspire to be one, CPIM is a globally recognized standard for supply chain knowledge and expertise. Professionals who hold a CPIM certification are acknowledged as having met rigorous competency standards across diverse supply chain disciplines. Specifically, attaining CPIM will enable you to take on the following responsibilities:

• Enhancing inventory accuracy 

• Minimizing stock levels

• Optimizing the process of sales and operations planning (S&OP)

• Enhancing the outcomes of a material requirement plan (MRP) 

• Streamlining inventory storage, flow, and handling procedures

What salary could I earn with the CPIM certification?

According to Payscale, individuals who possess a CPIM credential earn an average base salary of $87,000 in the US [2]. When considering different job titles, holding a CPIM certification corresponds to the following average salaries [2]:

• Supply chain manager: $101,891

• Production planner: $72,403

• Materials manager: $93,859

• Supply chain planner: $79,794

Read more: Product Development Jobs: 9 Areas to Explore

CPIM vs. CSCP: What’s the difference?

Both CPIM and Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP) certifications revolve around supply chain management and logistics. However, the CPIM certification narrows its focus on internal operations, particularly those within a production plan. For instance, CPIM-certified professionals handle product planning, production scheduling, and demand management tasks.

Conversely, a CSCP-certified professional addresses challenges and scenarios within and beyond the production plant. More simply, a CSCP professional engages in all facets of the supply chain, from production management to customer support and product returns. 

How to get CPIM certification

After obtaining your authorization to test (ATT), you may choose to schedule your CPIM exam through any Pearson VUE test center or online exam delivery (OnVUE) system. 

The CPIM Learning System, crafted by APICS, can improve your chances of excelling in the exam. As a general guideline, ASCM recommends allocating about 100 hours for your study efforts. 

Explore our free resources for supply chain professionals

Planning your next career move? Explore industry trends and career advice with a subscription to our LinkedIn newsletter, Career Chat. Or check out the following resources to keep learning to advance your career in supply chain management:

• Watch on YouTube: How Products Get to Your Door: Supply Chain Basics 

• Take the quiz: Career Test: What Career is Right for Me Quiz?

• Explore more credentials: What should you earn: a certificate or a degree? 

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