1. Institute for Supply Management, Inc.™

2. Certification Overview
What is Certification -- why would you want it?
ISM’s Certification Programs
Program Requirements
International acceptance
Exam Content and Process Levels
Types of Questions on the Exam
Four types of Certification/Accreditation
Study Materials
Costs

3. Certification vs. Certificate
Certificate Programs: Continuing education programs that are usually 18 to 24 hours in length, typically self-study, smaller in magnitude and shorter in time than degree programs; designed to instill, expand, or enhance competencies by learning new skills, attitudes, and performance behaviors.
Certification Programs: Process by which an association or non-governmental agency acknowledges an individual has met certain predetermined qualifications specified by that organization. It is a credential; a formal acknowledgement granted to an individual to designate to the public that this person has met the requirements in the designated area of certification.
ISM does offer certificate programs in
E-Commerce/B2B
Supplier Relationship Management
Cost Reductions Strategies
These programs consist of courses/seminars online, face-to-face and an applied project. You can find more information in the Resource Guide in your folder.

4. Why Certification?
shows commitment to a profession
promotes continuous professional growth and development - lifelong learning
universally accepted standard for identifying & recognizing supply management professionals
world-wide recognition
commitment to yourself, your employer, your customers & suppliers to hold yourself to a professional ethical standard of conduct
The C.P.M. as a preferred qualification for job applicants.

5. ISM’s Certification Programs
Certified Purchasing Manager (C.P.M.)
Established in 1974
Accredited Purchasing Practitioner (A.P.P.)
Established in 1996

6. Accredited Purchasing Practitioner (A.P.P.) Program
ISM has announced a change to the A.P.P. program. After February 28, 2005, ISM will no longer accept new A.P.P. Exam registrations. Those individuals who have registered prior to March 1, 2005, will have up to one year to take their exams. If they are interested in securing A.P.P. Original/Original Lifetime accreditation, they will need to apply by February 28, Individuals already holding the A.P.P. designation may still apply for reaccreditation.

7. A.P.P. Program – Dates to Remember
February 28, 2005 — Last day candidates can register with ISM for the A.P.P. Exam. This allows those individuals, who are interested in obtaining the designation, the time to plan to take the exams. After this date, candidates may still register for the C.P.M. Exam Modules 1 and 2, which can be used to apply for the A.P.P.
February 28, 2006 — Last day any candidates can take the A.P.P. Exam at a Prometric Test Center. After this date, candidates may still take C.P.M. Exam Modules 1 and 2, which can be used to apply for the A.P.P.
February 28, 2007 — Deadline for all Original and Original Lifetime A.P.P. applications. There is a two-year work experience requirement (one-year with an associate’s degree) for Original and Original Lifetime applications. This allows those candidates an opportunity to earn their A.P.P. The postmark date on a candidate’s application will be used to determine whether he/she meets this deadline.

8. Accredited Purchasing Practitioner (A.P.P.) Program
Those involved with the tactical and operational side of purchasing and supply management.
Accredited Purchasing Practitioner (A.P.P.) Program - Intended Audience
Buyers and those outside the organization’s purchasing and supply management department with definite procurement (supply management) responsibilities, including members of cross-functional teams.

9. A.P.P. Program Requirements
A.P.P. Exam
Must pass Modules 1 and 2
Experience:
One year professional purchasing/supply
management experience and at least a two-
year degree OR two years professional purchasing and supply management experience
Note: Job must have at least a secondary supply chain management responsibility component.
Professional experience is non-clerical, non- support experience. Candidates are not allowed to self-validate work experience toward certification or accreditation.

10. Certified Purchasing Manager (C.P.M.) Program
Those involved with the managerial, administrative, and strategic as well as tactical aspects of the purchasing and supply management process.
- Intended Audience
Those in charge of a purchasing/supply management department including managers, directors, and vice presidents. Those working for such a department (e.g., supervisors and seasoned buyers, agents and other professionals). Researchers, teachers, department heads, directors, and deans of academic institutions, concerned with the field. Others defined by program policy and those working in the field aspiring to any of the above positions.

11. C.P.M. Program Requirements
C.P.M. Exam:
Pass all four modules of the exam
Experience:
Three years professional purchasing/supply management experience and at least a four-year degree from an accredited institution OR five years professional purchasing/supply management experience.

12. Age of Modules Rule
Exam scores may be no more than five years old when the candidate applies for the C.P.M. or A.P.P. designation (see Module 4 exception below). The application postmarked date is used as the application date.
Only Module 4 of the updated C.P.M. Exam (offered after January 1, 2001) can be used toward the C.P.M. designation. Module 4 of the C.P.M. Exam taken through December 31, 2000 is no longer valid.

13. International Acceptance
Argentina
Australia
Bahamas
Belgium
Brazil
China
France
Germany
Hong Kong
India
Ireland
Japan
Kenya
Korea
Nigeria
Philippines
Saudi Arabia
Singapore
South Africa
Spain
Taiwan
Our global presence is continually expanding into new countries.

14. C.P.M. Program Growth

15. Exam Construction Modules 1, 2, & 3 = 95 questions (90 scored)
Module 1: Purchasing Process
Module 2: Supply Environment
Module 3: Value Enhancement Strategies
Module 4: Management
Modules 1, 2, & 3 = 95 questions (90 scored)
105 minutes to complete.
Module 4 = questions (110 are scored)
130 minutes to complete.
Examinees will not know which of the questions are not part of the scoring process for each module.

16. Exam Content Module 1- Purchasing Process (C.P.M./A.P.P.)
Part A: Identifying Requirements
(5 Tasks - 23 questions)
Part B: Preparation of Solicitations
(4 Tasks - 22 questions)
Part C: Supplier Analysis (3 Tasks - 19 questions)
Part D: Contract Execution, Implementation, and Administration (8 Tasks - 26 questions)

17. Exam Content Module 2- Supply Environment (C.P.M. /A.P.P. )
Part A: Negotiations (2 Tasks - 13 questions)
Part B: Information Technology
(3 Tasks - 16 questions)
Part C: Quality Issues (2 Tasks - 12 questions)
Part D: Internal Relationships
(4 Tasks - 22 questions)
Part E: External Relationships
(6 Tasks - 27 questions)

18. Exam Content Module 3 - Value Enhancement Strategies (C.P.M. Only)
Part A: Sourcing Analysis (3 Tasks -17 questions)
Part B: Supply & Inventory Management
(4 Tasks - 19 questions)
Part C: Value Enhancing Methods
(3 Tasks-26 questions)
Part D: Forecasting and Strategies
(5 Task -28 questions)

19. Module 4 - Management (C.P.M. Only)
Exam Content
Module 4 - Management (C.P.M. Only)
Part A: Management and Organization
(8 Tasks - 61 questions)
Part B: Human Resources Management
(6 Tasks - 49 questions)

20. Exam Characteristics & Technical Properties
Validity – the test measures what it is supposed to measure
Reliability – dependability or accuracy of test score
Scoring – no curve or quota, one point for correct answers, no points for incorrect answers
Equating – maintains consistency between exam versions
Scaling – converts all scores to a range of
25 to 75
Criterion Referenced – protect the public
Validity – that the exam content reflects the KSA’s associated with a supply manager’s position.
Reliability – degree of consistency, dependability or accuracy of the test score. Computed using KR-20, Std Error of Measurement and reliability of the pass fail decision.
Scoring – doesn’t rank candidates against each other, there is no curve or quota.
Equating – exam content remains the same from version to version, corrects for differences in difficulty
Scaling – used to maintain consistency in test scoring
Criterion referenced – tells employers that an individual has met a particular standard, those certified possess KSA’s to perform safely and effectively.

21. Multiple Choice Exam
All items appearing in the C.P.M. Exam have four choices, identified by the letters “A” through “D”. Candidates choose the “best” answer.
Closed-stem
Sentence Completion
EXCEPT Format
MOST/LEAST/BEST Format
Complex Multi-choice
Master List Format
Case Study Format

22. Closed Stem Format
Which of the following is the professional designation of the supply management profession?
(A) C.P.A.
(B) C.P.M.
(C) CPM
(D) PEP
Answer (Key): B

23. Sentence Completion
The degree to which a test actually measures what it purports to measure is referred to as test
(A) validity
(B) reliability
(C) equating
(D) weighting
Answer (Key): A

24. EXCEPT Format All of the following are types of certification EXCEPT
(A) Recertification
(B) Original Lifetime Certification
(C) Lifetime Certification
(D) Original Recertification
Answer (Key): D

25. Most/Least/Best Format
The demand for which of the following commodities will be LEAST affected by any significant increase in its price?
(A) Coal
(B) Tobacco
(C) Cotton
(D) Aluminum
Answer (Key): B

26. Complex Multi-Choice
An application for certification must include which of
the following?
I. Copy of the exam score report
II. Work experience verification
III. Continuing education attended
IV. Valid signature
(A) I and II only (C) I, II, and IV only
(B) II and IV only (D) I, II, III, and IV
Answer (Key): C

27. Exam Process Levels Knowledge (Recall)
Remembering ideas, material, or phenomena
Comprehension
Grasp a meaning of the material presented in a novel way.
Application
Understanding material to a point where it can be applied to a situation new to him or her.

28. Types of Certification/Accreditation
Original Certification or Accreditation
Original Lifetime Certification or Original Lifetime Accreditation
Recertification or Reaccreditation
Lifetime Certification or Lifetime Accreditation

29. A.P.P. Reaccreditation & Lifetime Requirements
A.P.P. Reaccreditation Requirements
a. every 5 years.
b. 42 CEH’s
Categories available for CEH accumulation:
a. Module 1 or 2 of the A.P.P. exam or
Modules 1, 2, 3 or 4 of the C.P.M. exam
b. Formal Education
c. Seminars and continuing education
A.P.P. Lifetime Requirements
Minimum of 18 years relevant verifiable experience.

30. C.P.M. Recertification & Lifetime Requirements
C.P.M. Recertification Requirements
a. every 5 years.
b. 12 C.P.M. points (84 CEHs)
Categories available for point accumulation:
a. Module 3, and/or 4
b. Formal Education
c. Seminars and continuing education
d. Contributions to the profession
C.P.M. Lifetime Requirements
Minimum of 18 years relevant verifiable experience.

31. Current Costs Exam Registration Fees per Module (as of 1/05)
Member Non-Member
Domestic Testing $120. $180.
International Testing $165. $220.
Application Fees (as of 1/05)
C.P.M. Original $ 90. $150.
C.P.M Recertification $ 65. $100.
A.P.P. Original $ $105.
A.P.P. Reaccreditation $ 50. $ 80.
Refer candidates to the Web site and current forms available online for the most current program requirements and pricing.

32. Study Materials Available
Study Guides
Diagnostic Kits
Bibliographic Reference Keys
Articles for Exam Preparation
ISM Knowledge Series - Volumes 1 through 4
Review Programs ISM and others
The Purchasing Handbook
Annual conference proceedings

33. Certification is about……
building a knowledge foundation
meeting an objective standard (valid/reliable exam + experience)
showing serious career intent
ongoing learning

34. Next Steps Commit to a realistic but specific timeline
Create an environment that celebrates risk-taking and goal setting
Develop a meaningful way to recognize certification w/in the organization, involve your suppliers
Work with ISM and the local affiliate to increase awareness
Budget for self-development
Help Management understand the value certification returns to the organization

35. Certification Contact Information
C.P.M. / A.P.P. Automatic Telephone Messaging System - 800/ , extension 3027
ISM’s Home Page -
Certification address:
Althea (Al) Levine (extension 3094)
Judy Tolliver (extension 3044)
David Migliore (extension 3074)
Karen P. Collins, C.P.M., A.P.P., (extension 3123)
Christina Foster, SPHR (extension 3011)
Customer Service (extension 401)
Al Levine – processes C.P.M. applications
Judy Tolliver – provides administrative support for the department and manages the Continuing Education Hour process for ISM
Mary Floyd – processes A.P.P. Applications and helps out with the C.P.M. applications as well.
David Migliore – coordinates the Onsite testing process with our Sales Department, handles exam registrations for candidates special conditions, works on day-to-day issues with our testing contractor.
Karen Collins – Certification Manager - responsible for managing the department, the item writing process, coordinating study material with Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), handles appeals, works with international organizations for promotion of the C.P.M. and A.P.P. Programs.
Christina Foster – VP of Certification and Diversity – oversees the direction of the Certification Department, Develops new international relationships, works to increase the number of minorities and women working in supply management and with colleges/universities to expand those offering supply management courses or as a major field of study.
Customer Service is a resource for all questions regarding membership, products, seminars, exam registration.

36. Questions???