LETTER FROM VICE PRESIDENT - ISM CERTIFCATION

As most of you know, 2005 brought major changes to ISM's Certification Programs. The Certification Committee proposed to the ISM Board of Directors that ISM develop a new qualification. The ISM BOD agreed that in order to support the mission of ISM — to Lead Supply Management — we need to develop and implement that recommendation. The BOD required that this new designation be more strategic and that it encompass the broader spectrum of supply management.

The BOD also approved of the name of the new qualification — Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM)! The name of the new qualification emphasizes that it is geared to professionals in the supply management profession. The specifics of the examination, the recertification requirements and other program requirements will be determined shortly.

The requirement of a bachelor's degree is a frequent topic of discussion during meetings and on the Certification discussion forum. ISM fully supports that in today's business environment one must have at least a bachelor's degree in order to advance one's career.

What about the C.P.M. and A.P.P. programs?

ISM will issue new (Original or Original Lifetime) C.P.M.s through December 31, 2013. ISM will continue to support the C.P.M. through recertification. A.P.P. applications are no longer accepted, as this program is has been discontinued. However, as with the C.P.M. program, ISM will still accept A.P.P. reaccreditations.

If you have any questions regarding the changes occurring in ISM's Certification department, please contact us at certification@ism.ws or visit the Web site at www.ism.ws/certification.

The ISM Certification team would once again like to thank you for supporting our programs. Please continue to provide feedback on how we are doing or to make suggestions for improvement. Keep in mind it is not the ISM Certification department that represents the C.P.M. and A.P.P. programs ... it is all of you who carry these designations. We ask for your continued support as we "lead supply management!" — together.

The Certification team, the Certification Committee and I would like to thank all of you.

Christina Foster, SPHR
ISM Vice President - Certification and Diversity

CPSM - NEW SUPPLY MANAGEMENT QUALIFICATION

Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM) - ISM has developed a new professional qualification that is relevant internationally and reflects the expanded education, skills and experience needed to be a successful supply management professional. ISM's Board of Directors approved the recommendation by the ISM Certification Committee that ISM develop a new professional qualification that recognizes those expanded competencies. The program started in 2008. 

For those of you that have a C.P.M. and a college degree, you can take a bridge exam rather than the 3 module test required for the CPSM.  C.P.M's passing the bridge exam do not have to pass any other modules (test) to qualify for their CPSM. 

"The new qualification addresses the realities of supply management, workplace complexities including globalization, greater use of technology, and expanded competencies that supply management professionals employ to drive value in their organizations," states ISM Chief Executive Officer Paul Novak, C.P.M., A.P.P.

This initiative emerges out of a recommendation from ISM's Certification Committee and is supported by findings of the research study conducted with Knapp & Associates International, Inc. Foremost among the study's conclusions is that pronounced changes in the field demand the new professional qualification must reflect higher skill levels across the entire spectrum of supply management.

"The recommendation to develop an expanded supply management qualification is also based on extensive job analysis of supply management competencies," says ISM Certification Committee Chair Susan I. Scott, C.P.M., A.P.P. "ISM has established a legacy of certification excellence through innovation and expertise. Thia new qualification will strengthen this legacy."

This new designation requires a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.

CHANGES TO THE C.P.M. PROGRAM 

ISM'S Board of Directors, with a recommendation from ISM's Certification Committee, has voted to issue Original (new) C.P.M.s through December 31, 2013. 

The last day the C.P.M. Exam will be offered is December 31, 2009.

This decision by the Board of Directors and by the Certification Committee is partly based on an extensive study of the C.P.M. program, conducted in association with Knapp & Associates International, Inc.

All C.P.M.s may continue to recertify to remain in good standing — even when ISM stops issuing Original (new) C.P.M.s. Those C.P.M.s who do not meet the minimum requirements for the new qualification (see above section) are encouraged to maintain their expertise through C.P.M. recertification. After December 31, 2013, you will not be able to reinstate a lapsed C.P.M.

We are developing a bridging process toward the new designation for those C.P.M.s who have a bachelor's degree. The proposal recommends one exam to cover the contemporary content of supply management.

C.P.M.s must have a bachelor's degree in order to qualify for the new designation.

The C.P.M. Exam tests a specific segment of supply management. The C.P.M.'s main focus covers the operational aspects of purchasing, but also includes supply functions such as agreements, negotiations, technology and relationship management. It has remained a highly credible professional designation because ISM has continuously updated the C.P.M. Exam modules and exam preparation materials to reflect the changes in purchasing. The C.P.M. designation does not lend itself to being repurposed to the extent required to cover the broader spectrum of supply management competencies. Also, the name, C.P.M., does not reflect the inclusion of supply management.

The C.P.M. will continue to be a valuable designation within the supply management profession. ISM has granted nearly 44,000 C.P.M.s over the 31-year history of the program. Your C.P.M. signifies a level of knowledge that no one can take away.

CHANGES TO THE A.P.P. PROGRAM

ISM announced a change to the Accredited Purchasing Practitioner (A.P.P.) designation. ISM no longer issues Original (new) A.P.P.s. as of February 28, 2007. Individuals already holding the A.P.P. designation before February 28, 2007 may still apply for reaccreditation.

An extensive study of ISM's credentialing programs, conducted in association with Knapp & Associates International, Inc., initiated ISM's decision to free up resources to strengthen other programs and undertake new initiatives. Paramount to the recommendation was the diminishing interest in the A.P.P. designation within the supply management community, which prevented the program from remaining financially feasible. The Certification Committee's decision to cease issuing new A.P.P.s was also based on ISM staff recommendations and received the support of ISM's Board of Directors.

The A.P.P. will still be recognized and honored within the supply management profession. ISM encourages individuals who have achieved the A.P.P. designation to continue citing it as part of their professional identity.

IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS

The following documents can be found via the ISM Home Page (www.ism.ws). Select Certification, then Online Forms:

• C.P.M. Computer Exam Information Brochure
• C.P.M. Online Exam Registration Forms
• C.P.M. Original/Original Lifetime Application
• C.P.M. Recertification/Lifetime Recertification Application
• A.P.P. Original/Original Lifetime Application
• A.P.P. Reaccreditation/Lifetime Reaccreditation Application
• Exam Score Request Form
• Work Experience Documentation Information
• Annual International Conference Documentation Forms
• Continuing Education Documentation (for individuals applying for recertification/reaccreditation)
• College Credit for the C.P.M. — Request for Transcript
• Replacement Certificate Request

HOW TO REGISTER FOR THE C.P.M. COMPUTER-BASED EXAMS

Online:	Visit www.ism.ws, select Certification, then Online Forms
Phone:	800/888-6276 or 480/752-6276, extension 401
Fax:	480/752-2299
Mail:	ISM Attn: Customer Service P.O. Box 22160 Tempe, AZ 85285-2160

Please note that payment is required at time of registration.

All of the ISM computer testing is done at Prometric Testing Centers and can be scheduled at your convenience.

Domestic examination fees are $120 per module for ISM members while international fees for members are $165 per module.

Domestic fees for nonmembers are $180 per module while international fees for nonmembers are $220.

Once you are registered, you will receive a confirmation letter from ISM with instructions on how to schedule an exam and locate test centers via Prometric's Web site: www.prometric.com.

ONSITE C.P.M. TESTING

ISM offers both a written and computer-based version of the C.P.M. Exam. Approximately of all th20 percent e exams administered were onsite exams. This includes exams administered at the ISM Annual International Conference, by ISM affiliates and at individual organizations in the United States and abroad.

Over the past several years, ISM has worked with a number of organizations to administer onsite testing for their employees.

To keep costs at a minimum, ISM has broadened its proctor policies to allow individuals within an organization, who meet certain criteria, to proctor an exam. For more information about onsite exams, call Kathy Braase (extension 3061) or e-mail her: kbraase@ism.ws

EXAM PREPARATION MATERIALS FOR THE C.P.M. EXAM

For detailed information on exam preparation materials, visit the ISM Web site at www.ism.ws or call the ISM Customer Service Department at 800/888-6276 or 480/752-6276, extension 401, and request a hardcopy of the most recent resource catalog.

WHEN DO MY EXAM SCROES EXPIRE?

Only exams passed within five years of the postmarked application date for the Original/Original Lifetime C.P.M. Certification or Original/Original Lifetime A.P.P. Accreditation will be valid.

USE YOUR C.P.M. OR A.P.P. TO EARN COLLEGE CREDIT

The New York Board of Regents Program on Noncollegiate Sponsored Instruction (NYBOR PONSI) reviewed the former C.P.M. program and recommended that colleges and universities consider awarding college credit to those who have passed the C.P.M. Exam.

In the year 2000, the C.P.M. program was reevaluated and the A.P.P. program was evaluated for the first time. The NYBOR PONSI recommended college credit for passing both modules of the A.P.P. Exam, and the college credit recommendation for the C.P.M. was enhanced. The NYBOR PONSI now recommends that students receive additional credit for experience (provided candidates complete the appropriate project as outlined in the recommendation) for earning the C.P.M. under the updated program.

Those seeking college credit should carefully review the recommendation from the NYBOR PONSI relating to the period in which the candidate tested. The review provides a recommendation only so colleges and universities can award credit at their discretion.

For those individuals who are currently using a company tuition reimbursement program to earn their degrees, the NYBOR PONSI recommendation can be a valuable tool in convincing the company to reimburse for the costs incurred while working toward the C.P.M. Because candidates can be awarded up to 12 college credits for earning the C.P.M., the cost of doing so may likely offset the cost of earning 12 hours of college credit.

Candidates who have already earned their C.P.M. and are now working toward an undergraduate degree may find that their school will award credit based on the NYBOR PONSI recommendations. To find out if your school will award college credit for earning the C.P.M. or A.P.P., please refer to the Noncollegiate Sponsored Instruction College Credit Recommendation for the Institute for Supply Management™. The most current recommendation information is available from ISM's Web site at www.ism.ws — select Certification, Online Forms, then College Credit Information and Transcript Request. Pay particular attention to the recommendation for the program you completed.

REIMBURSEMENT BY THE VA UNDER THE MONTGOMERY GI BILL

The United States Veterans Administration reimburses for ISM's C.P.M. and A.P.P. Exam fees as of March 1, 2001. ISM exams are specifically approved for the GI Bill. The VA can pay only for the cost of the tests and not other fees connected with obtaining the C.P.M. or A.P.P. (i.e., study material, application fees, etc.).

According to the GI Bill Web site, you may receive this benefit if you are eligible for:

• The Montgomery GI Bill (also called the MGIB or Chapter 30)
• VEAP (also called Chapter 32)
• Dependents Educational Assistance (also called DEA or Chapter 35) (DEA is a benefit for children, spouses and surviving spouses of veterans with 100 percent service-connected disability or who died in service or due to service-connected disability.)

You can receive up to $2,000 per test (but not more than the cost of the test). There is no limit to the number of tests you can take.For more details, visit www.gibill.va.gov.

CONTINUING EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES FOR SUPPLY MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONALS

ISM continues to work to expand continuing education opportunities available for supply management professionals through seminars and online programs. C.P.M.s and A.P.P.s are encouraged to take advantage of the variety of resources available to earn Continuing Education Hours (CEHs) toward recertification and reaccreditation.

ISM seminars are an excellent opportunity for you to earn CEHs. ISM currently offers more than 25 different seminars across the country on various dates throughout the year. Take advantage of ISM's line of educational seminars and earn 14-21 CEHs per seminar!

ISM's Annual International Supply Management Conference and Educational Exhibit has numerous workshops in which to earn CEHs.

In addition, ISM offers online learning opportunities available anytime, anywhere. ISM's Knowledge Center brings supply management education and professional development into the comfort of your own home or office — or even when you're on the road. Online courses adjust to your lifestyle and schedule.

ISM also offers Self-Study Courses for your convenience. These courses are in the form of workbooks, and upon completion of the requirements, candidates receive credit for 14 CEHs.

ISM affiliates are also an excellent resource for CEHs. Many affiliates offer courses through local colleges and universities. Candidates can also earn CEHs by attending monthly affiliate meetings. Contact the affiliate in your area or visit its Web site to find out what programs are available. (Links to all affiliate Web sites can be accessed through the ISM Web site at www.ism.ws.)

Remember, it's never too early to start planning for your recertification or reaccreditation. The most up-to-date information for current courses is available online at www.ism.ws. For information on seminars and programs that are coming to your area, visit the Seminars & Online Learning area, or contact ISM Customer Service for an updated resource catalog (800/888-6276 or 480/752-6276, extension 401).C.P.M.

RECERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

Individuals who have earned their C.P.M. designation are required to recertify every five years. To recertify, applicants must earn 84 Continuing Education Hours (CEHs) during their current certification period. At least 56 CEHs must be educational in nature. Up to 28 CEHs may be earned in the professional contributions category.

Please submit your application for recertification no more than 120 days prior to the expiration date on your current certificate.

CEHs may be earned in the following categories:

1. College Courses (taken or taught)
2. Continuing Education (taken or taught) — seminars, conferences, ISM affiliate events, in-house training, etc.
3. Contributions to the profession — for ISM affiliate officers and volunteers
4. Pass Module 3 and/or 4 of the C.P.M. Exam

One Continuing Education Unit (CEU) = 10 CEHs

A.P.P. REACCREDIATION REQUIREMENTS

Individuals who have earned their A.P.P. designation are required to reaccredit every five years. To reaccredit, applicants must accumulate at least 42 hours of continuing education since the issue date of their current accreditation. At least 28 hours must be educational in nature. Up to 14 hours may be earned in the professional contributions category. Please submit your application for reaccreditation no earlier than 120 days prior to the expiration date on your current certificate.

CEHs may be earned in the following categories:

1. College Courses (taken or taught)
2. Continuing Education (taken or taught) — seminars, conferences, ISM affiliate events, in-house training, etc.
3. Contributions to the Profession — for ISM affiliate officers and volunteers
4. Pass the C.P.M. Exam (Module 1, 2, 3 or 4)

One Continuing Education Unit (CEU) = 10 CEHs.

LIFETIME C.P.M. CERTIFICATION AND LIFETIME A.P.P. ACCREDITATION

Lifetime Certification or Lifetime Accreditation means recertifying or reaccrediting for the last time. The applicant must document 18 years of full-time professional supply management experience to obtain Lifetime Certification or Lifetime Accreditation.

When you meet the criteria, you can apply right away. You do not need to wait until your recertification or reaccreditation is due. Just complete the appropriate application, include proof of employment since your original application, and document CEHs (see table below). Experience previously approved on your original application does not have to be documented again. If you are not sure how much experience was approved, please contact ISM via e-mail at certification@ism.ws.

Those applicants eligible for Lifetime need only submit hours based on the table below.

If a C.P.M. applicant reaches their 18th year during their one-year grace period, then they will need to document another 21 hours (total of 105 hours). For the A.P.P., another 7 hours is required (total of 49 hours).

PRORATED LIFETIME SCALE (CEHS = Continuing Education Hours)
	C.P.M.	A.P.P.
Held latest certificate one year or less?	21 CEHs	8 CEHs
Held latest certificate less than two but more than one year?	35 CEHs	17 CEHs
Held latest certificate less than three but more than two years?	56 CEHs	25 CEHs
Held latest certificate less than four but more than three years?	70 CEHs	34 CEHs
Held latest certificate less than five but more than four years?	84 CEHs	42 CEHs

REINSTATING A LAPSED CERTIFICATION/ACCREDITATION

Certificate lapsed less than one year from the postmark date of your application (also known as your "Grace Period"):

Reinstatement Process: Complete and sign a Recertification/Reaccreditation application form documenting 84 Continuing Education Hours earned (for the C.P.M.) or 42 Continuing Education Hours (for the A.P.P.).

Certificate Dates: Dates will appear on the certificate as if the recertification/reaccreditation had been completed prior to expiration of your previous certificate. For example, if your C.P.M. expired May 19, 2005 and your recertification application is approved on January 25, 2006, the dates on your certificate will still be May 20, 2005 to May 19, 2010.

Certificate lapsed more than one year from the postmark date of your application:

Reinstatement Process: Pass all four current exam modules (for C.P.M.) or Modules 1 and 2 (for A.P.P.). Complete and sign only the front portion of an Original Certification/Accreditation application form and include (i) copies of your score reports and (ii) the year you were first certified/accredited.

Certificate Dates: Your certificate dates will be changed. A new five-year period will be calculated from the date that the application is approved.

NOTE: If your designation has lapsed (even during your one-year grace period) ISM expects individuals to refrain from using the designation (on business cards, résumés, correspondence, etc.) until it has been reinstated.

If you have any questions regarding certification/accreditation, feel free to contact ISM's Certification Department via e-mail at certification@ism.ws or via the Certification discussion area at www.ism.ws.

ISM also has a C.P.M./A.P.P. automated telephone message system at 800/888-6276 or 480/752-6276, extension 3027. The automated system provides information about certification, accreditation and continuing education.

To speak with someone about Certification:

• Customer Service (extension 401, custsvc@ism.ws) — To order exam forms and applications for certification. To order C.P.M. study or other materials, register for exams and obtain answers to general questions.
  
  
• Althea "Al" Levine (extension 3094, alevine@ism.ws) — Processes C.P.M. and A.P.P. applications.
  
  
• Judy Tolliver (extension 3044, jtolliver@ism.ws) — Processes Continuing Education Hours documentation forms and performs department administrative duties.
  
  
• David Migliore (extension 3074, dmigliore@ism.ws) — Assists in the day-to-day administration of the C.P.M. and A.P.P. programs, sets up special test centers and handles other matters.
  
  
• Karen P. Collins, C.P.M., A.P.P., Manager, Certification (extension 3123, kcollins@ism.ws) — Directs activities of the department and all related programs and policy matters.
  
  
• Christina Foster, SPHR, Vice President of Certification and Diversity (extension 3011, cfoster@ism.ws) — Develops new international alliances and advances the certification process.

  ---