Top 10 Inventory Clerk Certifications

Certifications are important for an inventory clerk in the job market because they demonstrate to potential employers that the individual has the necessary knowledge, skills, and training to perform their job duties. Certifications can also give an inventory clerk a competitive edge over other applicants and may make them more attractive to employers. In addition, certifications provide industry recognition of an inventory clerk's commitment to their craft and provide proof of specialized training. Finally, certifications can open up new opportunities for an inventory clerk, such as promotions or higher-paying jobs.

This article reviews some of the top certifications available for Inventory Clerks and explains how these certifications can help to further an inventory clerk's career.

What are Inventory Clerk Certifications?

Inventory clerk certification is a professional credential that demonstrates an individual’s knowledge and skills in inventory management. It helps to demonstrate to employers that the holder has a comprehensive understanding of the principles, practices and procedures related to managing inventory control systems. Certification programs vary by provider but typically include courses in areas such as inventory control systems, stock control procedures, physical inventory techniques and materials handling.

For those looking to pursue a career in inventory management, certification provides evidence of their qualifications and experience. It also helps to ensure they have the necessary skillset needed for the job. Certification may also be beneficial for existing employees who wish to increase their knowledge of current trends in inventory management and stay ahead of the competition. Additionally, it can help employers identify qualified individuals when hiring for new positions or promoting from within.

Pro Tip: To become a certified Inventory Clerk, you should consider taking courses in accounting and inventory management. This will give you a better understanding of the processes and techniques used in inventory management, as well as provide you with the necessary skills to be successful in this field. Additionally, look into obtaining certifications from recognized organizations such as the Institute of Certified Professional Managers or the American Production and Inventory Control Society.

Related: What does an Inventory Clerk do?

Top 10 Inventory Clerk Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Inventory Clerks today.

1. Certified Inventory Control Professional (CICP)

Certified Inventory Control Professional (CICP) is a professional certification program designed to recognize the expertise of those who have achieved a high level of proficiency in inventory control. It is offered by the Association for Operations Management (APICS). The CICP certification is intended to demonstrate that an individual has the necessary knowledge and skills to manage inventory effectively and efficiently.

The CICP certification requires applicants to pass an exam that covers topics such as inventory management, supply chain management, forecasting, purchasing, and logistics. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions and must be completed within 3 hours. Candidates must also meet certain educational requirements before they can take the exam.

In order to obtain the CICP certification, applicants must first register with APICS and pay a fee of $395 USD. After passing the exam, candidates will receive their official certificate in 2-4 weeks.

The cost of obtaining the CICP certification varies depending on whether or not an applicant is already a member of APICS. For non-members, the total cost is $495 USD ($395 for registration plus $100 for membership), while members only need to pay $395 USD for registration.

2. Certified Inventory Management Professional (CIMP)

Certified Inventory Management Professional (CIMP) is a professional designation offered by the American Purchasing Society (APS). The CIMP certification recognizes individuals who have demonstrated expertise in inventory management and related disciplines. To become certified, applicants must pass an exam that covers topics such as inventory planning, forecasting, control, and optimization.

The CIMP exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions and takes about four hours to complete. Candidates must score at least 70% to pass the exam. The cost of taking the exam is $395 for APS members and $495 for non-members.

In order to prepare for the CIMP exam, candidates should review the APS’s official study guide which contains information on all of the topics covered on the test. Additionally, APS offers online courses and webinars that can help candidates better understand key concepts in inventory management.

3. Certified Inventory Manager (CIM)

Certified Inventory Manager (CIM) is a professional certification program offered by the Institute of Supply Management (ISM). It is designed to recognize and promote the highest standards of inventory management. The CIM certification program helps to ensure that inventory managers have the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively manage inventory in an organization.

The CIM certification program consists of three parts: a written exam, an online course, and a hands-on project. The written exam covers topics such as inventory control, forecasting, and supply chain management. The online course provides detailed instruction on how to implement best practices for inventory management. Finally, the hands-on project requires candidates to demonstrate their ability to apply their knowledge in a real-world setting.

The CIM certification process typically takes about six months from start to finish. Candidates must first register for the exam and complete all required courses prior to taking the exam. After passing the exam, candidates must then complete the online course and hands-on project within 90 days in order to receive their certification.

The cost of obtaining CIM certification varies depending on whether or not you are already enrolled in an ISM membership program. If you are not enrolled in an ISM membership program, then you will need to pay a fee of $495 for access to all materials needed for the certification process. If you are already enrolled in an ISM membership program, then you will only need to pay $395 for access to all materials needed for the certification process.

4. Certified Material and Resource Professional (CMARP)

Certified Material and Resource Professional (CMARP) is a certification program offered by the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP). The program is designed to recognize individuals who demonstrate expertise in the management of materials and resources for planning projects. It is intended to provide evidence that an individual has achieved a high level of knowledge, skill, and experience in this area.

To become certified as a CMARP, applicants must meet certain educational requirements and pass an exam. Applicants must possess either a master's degree or higher in urban or regional planning from an accredited university, or a bachelor's degree with at least three years of professional experience in the field. They must also have completed at least one course related to materials and resource management.

The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions covering topics such as resource assessment, inventory analysis, resource allocation, budgeting, procurement strategies, sustainability principles, and project implementation. The cost of the exam is $300 USD.

It typically takes about two months for applicants to receive their results after taking the exam. Upon passing the exam, applicants will be awarded the CMARP credential and can use it on their resumes and other professional documents.

5. Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP)

Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP) is a professional certification program offered by the Association for Supply Chain Management (ASCM). It is designed to recognize professionals who have demonstrated mastery of the principles and concepts of supply chain management. The CSCP program provides an industry-wide standard for understanding and applying supply chain best practices.

The CSCP program consists of a three-day course and an exam. The course covers topics such as supply chain strategy, customer relationship management, global logistics, inventory planning and control, production planning, materials requirements planning, distribution requirements planning, and performance measurement. After completing the course, candidates must pass an exam to receive their CSCP designation.

The cost of the CSCP program varies depending on your location and whether you choose to take the course in person or online. Generally speaking, the cost ranges from $1,500 to $2,000 USD.

In order to get certified as a CSCP professional, you must first complete the three-day course and then pass the exam with a score of at least 70%. Once you have completed both steps successfully, you will be awarded your CSCP designation.

6. Certified Production and Inventory Management (CPIM)

Certified Production and Inventory Management (CPIM) is a professional certification program offered by the Association for Operations Management (APICS). The CPIM program provides individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively manage production and inventory activities within an organization. This includes understanding demand management, forecasting, production planning, master scheduling, material requirements planning, capacity requirements planning, supplier planning, quality control and continuous improvement.

The CPIM program consists of five courses that must be completed in order to earn the certification. These courses are Basics of Supply Chain Management; Master Planning of Resources; Detailed Scheduling and Planning; Execution and Control of Operations; Strategic Management of Resources. Each course requires approximately 40 hours of study time and can be taken online or in a classroom setting.

To get certified in CPIM, you must pass all five exams within three years. The cost for each exam is $395 USD per exam plus any additional fees associated with taking the exam at a testing center. After passing all five exams, you will receive your CPIM certification from APICS.

Overall, it takes approximately 200 hours to complete the CPIM program and obtain your certification. The cost for the entire program ranges from $1,975 USD to $2,375 USD depending on whether you take the exams online or in a classroom setting.

7. APICS Certified in Logistics, Transportation and Distribution (CLTD)

APICS Certified in Logistics, Transportation and Distribution (CLTD) is a professional certification program designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated knowledge and proficiency in the field of logistics, transportation and distribution. The CLTD designation is awarded to professionals who have demonstrated mastery of the core competencies of the logistics, transportation and distribution industry.

The CLTD program consists of four modules: Logistics Fundamentals, Inventory Management, Transportation & Distribution, and Global Logistics. Each module is broken down into five topics: Overview & Terminology; Processes & Strategies; Performance Measurement; Regulatory Issues; and Technology.

It typically takes three to six months to complete the CLTD program depending on individual study habits. To get certified, one must pass an exam administered by APICS after completing all four modules. The cost of the CLTD program varies depending on whether you choose to take the course online or in person. Online courses typically cost between $1,000-$2,000 while in-person courses can range from $2,500-$3,500.

8. American Production and Inventory Control Society Certification (APICS CSCP)

The American Production and Inventory Control Society (APICS) Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP) is a professional certification that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated advanced knowledge in the field of supply chain management. It is designed to help professionals demonstrate their expertise and stay current on industry trends.

The CSCP program requires a minimum of three years of relevant work experience, although five years is recommended. To become certified, applicants must pass an exam that covers topics such as global supply chain management, demand planning, inventory management, transportation and logistics, and customer service. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions which must be completed within three hours.

To get the CSCP certification, applicants must first register for the exam by submitting an application form to APICS. Once approved, they will be issued an eligibility number which can be used to schedule their exam at one of the many testing centers located around the world.

The cost of the CSCP certification varies depending on whether you are an APICS member or non-member. For members, it costs $695 while non-members pay $895. In addition to this fee, there may be additional fees associated with scheduling your exam at a testing center or taking a course to prepare for the exam.

Once you have passed the exam and met all other requirements for certification, you will receive your official CSCP certificate from APICS within six weeks after passing your final assessment.

9. International Warehouse Logistics Association Certification (IWLA CSCP)

The International Warehouse Logistics Association (IWLA) Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP) is an industry-leading certification program designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated a comprehensive understanding of end-to-end supply chain management. It is the only certification that covers the entire supply chain from strategic design to tactical execution.

It takes approximately three months to complete the IWLA CSCP program, including studying for and passing the exam. To get certified, you must first register with IWLA and pay the registration fee which is currently $895 USD. Once registered, you will gain access to online learning materials and resources that can help you prepare for the exam. You will also be able to take practice exams and review sample questions before taking the actual exam. The exam consists of 150 multiple choice questions and must be completed within 3 hours.

Once you have successfully passed the exam, you will receive your IWLA CSCP certificate and be recognized as an official IWLA Certified Supply Chain Professional. This certification is valid for five years after which time it must be renewed by taking a recertification exam or completing continuing education credits.

10. American Purchasing Society Certification in Purchasing and Supply Chain Management (APSCM CPPSM).

The American Purchasing Society Certification in Purchasing and Supply Chain Management (APSCM CPPSM) is a professional certification that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated knowledge, skills, and experience in the field of purchasing and supply chain management. This certification is designed to help professionals advance their careers by demonstrating their expertise in the areas of purchasing and supply chain management.

It typically takes between 6-12 months to complete the APSCM CPPSM program. The program consists of two parts: an online self-study course and an examination. The self-study course covers topics such as procurement principles, legal aspects of purchasing, supplier relations, inventory management, logistics, and more. After completing the self-study course, candidates must pass an exam to become certified.

To get certified through the APSCM CPPSM program, candidates must first register with the American Purchasing Society (APS). Once registered, they can purchase the self-study course materials from the APS website for $399 USD. After successfully completing the self-study course and passing the exam, candidates will receive their official APSCM CPPSM certification.

The cost of becoming certified through this program is $399 USD for the self-study materials plus any applicable taxes or fees associated with registering with APS.

Do You Really Need a Inventory Clerk Certificate?

The short answer is no. A certificate in inventory clerk is not a requirement for working in the field. However, having a certificate can help you stand out from other job applicants and demonstrate your knowledge and experience of the inventory clerk role.

Inventory clerks are responsible for managing and tracking stock levels, ordering items, and managing the flow of goods through warehouses or stores. They need to be able to quickly identify items and count them accurately. To do this effectively, they need to have an understanding of the systems used to track inventory, as well as knowledge of how to use those systems. Having a certificate can provide evidence that you possess these skills.

Having a certificate also shows potential employers that you are committed to your career and dedicated to staying up-to-date with industry trends and best practices. Employers may view this as an indication that you are motivated and willing to go the extra mile to ensure accurate record keeping.

Finally, having a certificate can make it easier for employers to find qualified candidates when searching for new hires. Many companies look for certifications when hiring inventory clerks because it helps them narrow down their search quickly and easily.

In conclusion, while having an Inventory Clerk Certificate isn’t strictly necessary, it can be beneficial in helping you stand out from other job applicants and demonstrate your commitment to the field.

Related: Inventory Clerk Resume Examples

FAQs About Inventory Clerk Certifications

Q1: What is an Inventory Clerk Certification?

A1: An Inventory Clerk Certification is a professional certification that demonstrates competency in the field of inventory management. This certification provides individuals with the necessary knowledge and skills to manage inventories efficiently and accurately.

Q2: How do I become certified as an Inventory Clerk?

A2: To become certified as an Inventory Clerk, you must pass a comprehensive exam administered by a recognized certifying body such as the American Purchasing Society (APS). The exam covers topics such as inventory control systems, purchasing procedures, inventory analysis and forecasting, stock rotation, and more.

Q3: What are the benefits of becoming certified as an Inventory Clerk?

A3: Becoming certified as an Inventory Clerk allows you to demonstrate your competence in the field of inventory management to potential employers. It also helps you to stay up-to-date on industry best practices, which can help you stay ahead in your career.

Q4: Is there any continuing education required for maintaining my certification?

A4: Yes, most certifying bodies require continuing education in order to maintain your certification. This typically involves taking additional courses or attending seminars related to inventory management or other relevant topics.

Q5: Are there any online courses available for preparing for the certification exam?

A5: Yes, there are many online courses available that can help prepare you for the certification exam. These courses cover topics such as supply chain management, inventory control systems, purchasing procedures, stock rotation and more.