Top 10 Operations Clerk Certifications

Certifications are important for an operations clerk in the job market because they demonstrate a level of competency and expertise that is necessary to perform the job. They show potential employers that the individual has taken steps to obtain additional knowledge and is committed to staying up-to-date on industry standards. Certifications can also give an individual an edge over other applicants who do not have them, as they provide evidence of dedication, experience, and commitment. Additionally, certifications may provide access to higher salaries and more opportunities for advancement.

This article reviews some of the top certifications for Operations Clerks and explains how they can help to advance an operations clerk's career.

What are Operations Clerk Certifications?

Operations clerk certification is a professional designation that recognizes an individual's knowledge and expertise in the field of operations management. It is awarded by professional organizations such as the Institute of Operations Management (IOM) and demonstrates to employers that the individual has been trained in the principles and practices of operations management, including customer service, inventory control, quality assurance, planning, scheduling, and problem solving.

The certification can help individuals advance their careers in operations management by providing proof of their qualifications to employers. It also helps them gain recognition from peers and other professionals in their field. Additionally, having a recognized certification may make them more attractive to potential employers when applying for jobs or promotions. Finally, it serves as a symbol of commitment to excellence in operations management and can be used to demonstrate mastery of key skills necessary for success in the field.

Pro Tip: If you are interested in becoming an operations clerk, consider pursuing a certification to demonstrate your knowledge and skills in the field. Many employers require certification for operations clerks, and having it can help you stand out from other applicants.

Related: What does an Operations Clerk do?

Top 10 Operations Clerk Certifications

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

1. Certified Professional Operations Clerk (CPOC)

Certified Professional Operations Clerk (CPOC) is a certification offered by the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP). It is designed for individuals who work in operations, administrative, and/or customer service roles. The CPOC certification provides recognition of professional knowledge and skills in the areas of operations, customer service, and administrative support.

The CPOC certification requires a minimum of two years' experience in an operations-related role. Candidates must also pass an exam that covers topics such as customer service, office procedures, and problem solving. The exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions and has a time limit of two hours.

To obtain the CPOC certification, candidates must complete an application form and submit it to IAAP along with their payment for the exam fee. The fee for the exam is $200 USD. Once the application is approved, candidates will receive instructions on how to register for the exam.

Candidates have one year from the date of registration to take and pass the exam. If they do not pass within that time period, they will need to reapply and pay another fee in order to take it again.

Once a candidate passes the exam, they will be awarded their CPOC certification from IAAP which is valid for three years before needing to be renewed.

2. Certified Logistics and Operations Clerk (CLOC)

A Certified Logistics and Operations Clerk (CLOC) is a professional certification that demonstrates an individual's knowledge and skills in the field of logistics and operations. The CLOC certification is offered by the American Production and Inventory Control Society (APICS). It requires passing a two-hour, multiple-choice exam that tests the candidate’s knowledge of supply chain management, inventory control, purchasing, warehousing, distribution, transportation management, customer service, quality assurance, information systems, and more.

The exam for the CLOC certification can be taken at any APICS approved test center or online. It typically takes about two hours to complete the exam. The cost for taking the exam varies depending on whether you are an APICS member or not. For non-members it costs $395 USD while for members it costs $295 USD.

3. Certified Supply Chain and Operations Clerk (CSCC)

Certified Supply Chain and Operations Clerk (CSCC) is a certification program offered by the American Production and Inventory Control Society (APICS). It is designed to provide individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to work in supply chain and operations management. The certification requires successful completion of an examination that covers topics such as inventory control, purchasing, production planning, distribution, logistics, customer service, quality assurance, and more.

The exam takes approximately three hours to complete. To be eligible for the CSCC certification, applicants must have at least two years of experience in supply chain or operations management.

To obtain the CSCC certification, applicants must first register for the exam through APICS’s online portal. They must then pay a fee of $395 USD to take the exam. Upon successful completion of the exam, they will receive their official certificate from APICS.

The cost of obtaining a CSCC certification varies depending on whether or not an individual has received any discounts from APICS or other organizations. In general, however, it costs around $395 USD for the exam itself plus any additional fees associated with registration or study materials.

4. Certified Office Administrator (COA)

Certified Office Administrator (COA) is a professional certification program designed to recognize individuals who possess the knowledge and skills necessary to be successful in an office administration role. The COA certification is awarded by the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP), which is a professional organization dedicated to advancing the field of office administration.

The COA program consists of three components: an online assessment, an exam, and a professional development course. The online assessment is designed to assess your current level of knowledge in areas such as communication, customer service, and technology. The exam covers topics such as office management, project management, and business operations. Finally, the professional development course focuses on developing skills in areas such as problem solving and critical thinking.

It typically takes between six months and one year to complete all three components of the COA program. To get started, you must first register for the IAAP’s COA program by completing an application form and paying a registration fee. After registering, you will be given access to study materials that will help you prepare for the online assessment and exam. Once you have completed these two components successfully, you can then enroll in the professional development course.

The cost of obtaining the COA certification varies depending on your location and other factors such as whether or not you require additional study materials or tutoring services. Generally speaking however, it costs around $500 USD for all three components of the program combined.

5. Certified Administrative Professional (CAP)

Certified Administrative Professional (CAP) is a professional certification offered by the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP). The CAP credential is designed to recognize and validate the knowledge, skills, and abilities of administrative professionals in the workplace.

The CAP program consists of four courses: Office Systems and Technology, Business Writing and Communication, Management Principles and Practices, and Information Management. Each course requires a passing score on an assessment test to earn credit for that course. Once all four courses are completed, candidates must pass an exam to earn the Certified Administrative Professional designation.

It typically takes six to twelve months to complete all four courses and the exam. Candidates have up to three years from their initial enrollment date to complete the program.

To get started with the CAP program, candidates must register online at IAAP’s website or contact IAAP customer service at 1-800-859-4272. The cost of the program varies depending on which options you choose; however, it typically costs around $1,500 for all four courses plus the exam fee.

6. Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS)

Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) is a certification program that validates an individual’s knowledge and skills in Microsoft Office applications. MOS certifications are designed to help individuals demonstrate their proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office programs such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Outlook and SharePoint.

The MOS certification process typically takes between one and three months to complete. The time frame depends on the individual’s level of experience with the Microsoft Office suite of products and how quickly they can complete the required exams.

To become certified as a Microsoft Office Specialist, an individual must pass one or more exams that test their knowledge of specific Microsoft Office applications. These exams are administered by Certiport, which is an official testing center for Microsoft certifications. The cost of each exam varies depending on the type of exam taken and whether it is taken online or at a physical testing center.

In addition to passing the required exams, individuals must also meet certain prerequisites before taking any MOS exam. This includes having a valid email address and completing the registration process for each exam they wish to take. Once all requirements have been met, individuals can then take their desired MOS exam(s).

7. Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification

Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification is a professional certification that demonstrates a person's knowledge and understanding of the Lean Six Sigma methodology. This certification is designed to help individuals develop their skills in process improvement, problem-solving, and data analysis. It can be beneficial for professionals working in any industry that requires process improvement or problem-solving.

The Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification typically takes around four to eight weeks to complete depending on the provider and the individual’s experience level. The program consists of online courses, classroom instruction, and hands-on practice with real-world projects. The curriculum covers topics such as DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control) methodology, project management tools and techniques, data collection methods and analysis tools.

In order to obtain a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification an individual must pass an exam administered by an accredited organization such as ASQ (American Society for Quality). The cost of the exam varies depending on the provider but typically ranges from $500 - $1,000 USD.

Once an individual has successfully passed the exam they will receive their Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification which is valid for three years before needing to be renewed. Renewal requirements vary by provider but usually include completing additional training courses or passing another examination.

8. Project Management Professional (PMP)

Project Management Professional (PMP) is a professional certification program offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI). It is designed to recognize and validate an individual's expertise in project management. The PMP credential demonstrates a mastery of the knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques needed to successfully lead and direct projects.

To become a PMP, individuals must meet certain eligibility requirements and pass an exam. The requirements include having a minimum of three years of project management experience with 4,500 hours leading and directing projects as well as 35 hours of project management education or training.

The PMP exam consists of 200 multiple-choice questions that are divided into five domains: Initiating, Planning, Executing, Monitoring & Controlling, and Closing. The exam takes approximately four hours to complete.

The cost for the PMP certification varies depending on whether you are a member of PMI or not. For non-members, it costs $555 while members pay $405. Additionally, there is an annual fee for maintaining your certification that ranges from $60 to $150 depending on your membership status.

9. CompTIA A+ Certification

CompTIA A+ Certification is an industry-recognized credential that validates a technician's skills in computer hardware and software, networking, security, and troubleshooting. It is designed to provide proof of expertise to employers and clients that the individual possesses the necessary knowledge and skills to perform IT-related tasks.

It typically takes around 90 hours of study time to prepare for the CompTIA A+ certification exam. The exam consists of two parts: Core 1 (220-1001) and Core 2 (220-1002). Each exam has a maximum score of 900 points, with a passing score of 675 points or higher.

To get CompTIA A+ certified, you must first register for the exams through Pearson VUE or Prometric testing centers. Once you have registered for your exams, you will need to purchase study materials such as books or online courses from CompTIA or other vendors. After studying for the exams, you can then schedule your tests at one of the testing centers.

The cost for CompTIA A+ certification varies depending on where you take the exams. Generally speaking, each exam costs $219 USD per attempt. So if you take both exams at once it would cost $438 USD total.

10. Certified Records Manager (CRM)

Certified Records Manager (CRM) is a professional certification program offered by the Institute of Certified Records Managers (ICRM). It is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated a high level of knowledge and expertise in records management. The CRM certification is an internationally recognized credential that provides evidence of mastery in the field of records management.

It typically takes between two to three years to complete all requirements for the CRM certification. To become certified, applicants must first meet eligibility requirements, including having at least five years of full-time experience in the field and passing a written exam. Once these requirements are met, applicants can apply for the CRM examination.

The cost of obtaining the CRM certification varies depending on the jurisdiction in which it is sought. Generally, however, it costs around $500-$1000 to take the exam and additional fees may be required for application processing and other administrative costs. Additionally, some jurisdictions may require continuing education credits or additional exams to maintain certification status.

Overall, obtaining the CRM certification demonstrates one’s commitment to excellence in records management and provides recognition from peers and employers alike.

Do You Really Need a Operations Clerk Certificate?

Whether or not you need an Operations Clerk Certificate depends on your individual situation and the requirements of the job you are applying for. Generally speaking, having a certificate in operations can be beneficial as it demonstrates that you have a basic knowledge of the fundamentals of this role. It can also show potential employers that you have taken the initiative to learn more about the field and have invested time into gaining qualifications.

In some cases, employers may require applicants to have a certificate in operations before they will even consider them for a job. This is especially true in larger companies where there is competition for entry-level positions. Having an Operations Clerk Certificate could give you an edge over other applicants who lack this qualification.

However, if your experience and knowledge in operations are already strong enough, then obtaining an Operations Clerk Certificate may not be necessary. Additionally, depending on the company’s hiring process, having a certificate may not even be advantageous as many employers prefer to hire individuals with relevant experience rather than certificates.

Ultimately, whether or not an Operations Clerk Certificate is required for your job search depends on your individual situation and what sort of jobs you are applying for. If you think that having a certificate would be beneficial to your career prospects then it might be worth considering investing in one.

Related: Operations Clerk Resume Examples

FAQs About Operations Clerk Certifications

1. What is an Operations Clerk Certification?

Answer: An Operations Clerk Certification is a professional credential that verifies a person’s knowledge and skills related to the operations of a business. It covers topics such as customer service, order processing, inventory management, and other areas related to the daily operations of a business.

2. How do I become certified as an Operations Clerk?

Answer: To become certified as an Operations Clerk, you must meet certain educational requirements and pass an exam administered by a recognized certifying organization. The exact requirements vary from organization to organization, so it's important to research your options carefully before beginning the process.

3. Are there any prerequisites for becoming certified?

Answer: Yes, some certifying organizations may require applicants to have prior work experience in an operations-related field or have completed specific courses or training programs prior to taking the certification exam. Additionally, some organizations may require applicants to submit letters of recommendation or take additional tests in order to be considered for certification.

4. How long does it take to get certified?

Answer: The amount of time it takes to get certified varies depending on the certifying organization and the type of certification you are pursuing. Generally speaking, certification can take anywhere from several weeks up to several months depending on the individual's circumstances and availability of resources needed for completion of the program requirements.

5. What benefits do I receive after becoming certified?

Answer: After becoming certified as an Operations Clerk, individuals will gain recognition among employers that they have achieved a certain level of proficiency in their field through passing a rigorous exam and meeting all necessary prerequisites for certification. Additionally, being certified can lead to increased job opportunities and higher salary potential within the operations sector.