Obtaining the Proper Supply Chain Certifications

Key takeaways

The Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals and the Institute for Supply Chain Management offer supply chain certification options.

• Supply chain managers make a median total salary of $145,000 [1].

• Supply chain certifications may help you qualify for specific roles to help you advance in your supply chain career.

• You can explore supply chain degrees in addition to certifications, studying subjects such as business administration or systems engineering.

Discover the different supply chain certifications, including what is on the exams, who needs to get which specific certifications, and how to earn a supply chain certification. Afterward, consider enrolling in the Unilever Supply Chain Data Analyst Professional Certificate. You’ll have the opportunity to learn how to identify potential opportunities in all aspects of the supply chain, ensuring cost and resource efficiencies and continual growth. Upon completion, add this shareable credential to your resume or LinkedIn profile.

What is supply chain management?

Supply chain management (SCM) is the handling and supervision of goods, information, and cash, and it focuses on ensuring the correct product is with the correct consumer in an efficient, effective, and low-cost manner. Supply chain management maximizes consumer value and helps your business achieve a sustainable competitive advantage by developing new methods of running supply chains as smoothly and efficiently as possible. Supply chain management encompasses numerous activities, such as:

• Purchasing

• Inventory management

• Operations

• Sales

• Customer service

• Logistics

What do supply chain professionals do?

Supply chain professionals are responsible for following specific timelines and budgets to ensure the supply chain processes they are managing are efficient and cost-effective. You will work with suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, and retailers to streamline business processes and operations. As a supply chain professional, you're typically responsible for finances, materials, and information. 

You will also ensure products go through the supply chain—from the manufacturer to the consumer. In the event of a crisis, a supply chain professional will attempt to minimize the impact of the crisis as quickly as possible. You will be responsible for understanding data and operating technology; this is why many supply chain professionals have technical expertise or certifications. Your role in your company will always vary depending on what industry you are in and the position you hold.

How to get supply chain certification: 5 supply chain credentials

Credentials are an effective way to demonstrate your expertise and in-depth knowledge of the global supply chain system. Some employers may require you to obtain certifications that will help you advance your skills and learn more about the trends in the supply chain industry. Some of the specific credentials you can earn include the following. 

Read more: How to Become a Supply Chain Manager: Key Responsibilities Explained

1. Certified in Logistics, Transportation, and Distribution (CLTD)

Offered by the Association for Supply Chain Management (ASCM), this certification helps you advance your warehousing and logistics skills in addition to improving the efficiency of your company’s distribution. You have three and a half hours to finish the 150-question exam. It covers the best practices around global logistics, transportation, distribution, and network design.

As an online certification, you can take this program at a testing center or from a personal computer with the Pearson OnVue system. You have a variety of options to prepare for the exam, including self-study, instructor-led, instructor-guided, and group study opportunities. ASCM also offers a learning system that you can purchase for additional personalized study experiences. 

Requirements: Pass one exam and maintain certification by earning and submitting 75 professional development points every five years.

Cost (US): $1,075 for ASCM members and $1,500 for non-members [2]

2. Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP)

Another certification offered by ASCM, this exam consists of 150 questions and covers topics like forecasting, supply chains, demand management, and global supply chain networks. This certification suits those working in supply chain networks, internal operations, optimization, and sustainability. 

This certification can potentially increase your salary and certify that you have the skills to implement modern supply chain technologies into your company’s work environment. Since ASCM offers this certification, you can access a wide range of study materials depending on your needs and study practices.

Requirements: Pass one exam

Cost (US): $1,420 for ASCM members and $1,975 for non-members [3]

3. Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM)

Offered by the Institute for Supply Management (ISM), this certification validates your supply chain management knowledge across numerous industries and is a great option for career advancement. This certification is for supply chain and procurement professionals interested in globalization and technology usage. 

The certification process consists of three exams. The first exam (Supply Management Core) has 180 questions, and the second (Supply Management Integration) and third (Leadership and Transformation in Supply Management) contain 165 questions each. To prepare for the exams, you can purchase various training materials from ISM, including individual, classroom-based, and guided options. 

Requirements: You will need a bachelor's degree and three years of full-time supply chain management experience in a position that is not clerical or support-based, or five years of experience without a degree. You will need to earn 60 hours of approved continuing education credits every three years to renew your certification.

Cost (US): $495 for ISM members and $725 for nonmembers [4]

4. SCPro Fundamentals 

This entry and mid-level certificate track offered by the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP) covers the basics and most important elements of supply chain management. It is meant for those starting out in SCM and who want to understand the field's fundamental concepts. This track encompasses eight learning modules and leads to certificates that prepare you for SCPro Level certifications.

Consisting of 40 questions each, the eight exams will test you on fundamental topics like customer service, transportation, warehousing operations, demand, and supply chain management. You can prepare for this exam through interactive activities and online practice quizzes. You will complete the exam with a virtual proctor, and once you have earned your certificate, you do not need to renew it. 

Requirements: No eligibility requirements

Cost (US): $1,800 for all eight tracks for members; $2,160 for nonmembers [5]

5. CSCMP SCPro Level certifications 

Offered by CSCMP, the SCPro Level certifications include three certification options that include:

1. SCPro Level One: 160-question exam that helps you learn the fundamentals and eight elements of supply chain management.

2. SCPro Bridge: Available for individuals who already have a professional degree or certification; a 65-question exam that then earns you a SCPro Level One certification.

3. SCPro Level Two: Tests your knowledge on global supply chain processes, which certifies the impact your supply chain management knowledge will have on an organization.

These certifications are for highly skilled supply chain professionals who want to develop multi-disciplinary expertise and make a quantifiable impact in their organizations. CSCMP offers a number of study materials to prepare you for the exam process. With study guides, interactive learning programs, and online courses, you can prepare for the exams effectively and efficiently. 

Requirements: You must submit an eligibility application prior to testing. You must renew your certification every two years and additionally earn 25 continuing education units. 

Cost (US): Level One $650 for CSCMP members, $975 for non-members [6]; Bridge $350 for members, $550 for non-members [7]; Level Two $1,700 for members, $2,350 for non-members [8] 

What is better: CIPS or APICS?

While no one continuous learning opportunity is better than the other, each organization offers valuable resources for supply chain professionals. CIPS, which refers to courses offered by the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply and includes entry-level courses and advanced diplomas, is more widely accepted by UK organizations. Conversely, APICS, which refers to the certifications offered by the Association for Supply Chain Management (ASCM) and includes credentials like CSCP and CLTD, is based in the United States and globally recognized.

Benefits of working in supply chain

Some benefits of working in the supply chain industry include the positive growth in that job market and the salary. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) expects the industry for logisticians—professionals who analyze and coordinate supply chains—to grow 17 percent between 2024 and 2034, which is much faster than average for all US occupations [9].

According to Glassdoor, the estimated total pay for a supply chain manager in the US is $145,000 per year [1]. This figure includes additional pay, which may represent profit-sharing, commissions, or bonuses.

As a supply chain professional, you can typically enter the field with a bachelor’s degree and work your way up; the industry provides many opportunities for career growth and advancement. Since supply chain management is a tool used in many different industries, you will have a number of options to consider when entering the field. You can explore internships or entry-level positions and advance as you develop new skills like forecasting, analytics, planning, and workflow optimization.

Educational requirements

Many employers will require supply chain professionals to have earned at least a bachelor’s degree. If you are considering becoming a supply chain professional, consider majoring in business administration, supply chain management, systems engineering, or another related field.

A concentration or specialization in a business program can help you learn the basics of supply chain management and logistics. While a master’s degree is not always required, it can help you earn a higher salary.

Degrees

The following bachelor’s and master’s programs are examples of degrees you can earn that will help you learn the fundamentals of supply chain management:

• Bachelor of Science in Supply Chain Management 

• Bachelor of Science in Supply Chain and Operations Management

• Bachelor of Arts in Administration - Supply Chain Management

• Bachelor of Science in Systems Engineering

• Bachelor of Science in Supply Chain and Information Systems

• Global Master of Business Administration

• Master of Science in Engineering in Systems Engineering

• Master of Applied Science in Supply Chain Management

• Master of Science in Logistics and Supply Chain Management

Explore more free supply chain career resources 

Subscribe to our Career Chat newsletter on LinkedIn for industry updates, tips, and trends. Then, explore free, digital career resources:

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

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

• Learn from experts: Earning an M.B.A. While Hiking the Pacific Crest Trail: Meet Illinois Tech Student Janie Butler

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