Top 10 Order Clerk Certifications

Certifications are important for an order clerk in the job market because they demonstrate a certain level of knowledge and proficiency. By obtaining certifications, order clerks are able to prove that they possess the necessary skills to effectively carry out their duties. Certifications can also help to increase an order clerk’s chances of getting hired or promoted, as employers often look for employees who have achieved professional certifications. In addition, having certifications may give order clerks access to higher salaries and better benefits packages than those without them.

The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the top certifications for Order Clerks and explain how they can help advance an Order Clerk's career.

What are Order Clerk Certifications?

Order clerk certification is a professional designation that is awarded to individuals who have demonstrated knowledge and expertise in the areas of order processing, inventory control, customer service, and other related disciplines. This type of certification can be beneficial for those looking to advance their career in the field of order processing and inventory management. With this certification, employers are more likely to consider you for positions that require advanced knowledge and skills in these areas.

Holding an order clerk certification indicates that you have met certain standards set by industry experts and have been tested on your ability to accurately process orders, manage inventory, provide excellent customer service, and stay up-to-date with industry trends. It also shows employers that you take your job seriously and are committed to providing the best possible service to customers. Additionally, having an order clerk certification may make you eligible for higher wages or promotions within your organization.

Pro Tip: When considering order clerk certification, be sure to research the requirements and qualifications for each program. Familiarize yourself with the industry standards and best practices for order clerks, so that you can make an informed decision about the best certification program for you.

Related: What does an Order Clerk do?

Top 10 Order Clerk Certifications

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

1. Certified Professional Order Clerk (CPOC)

Certified Professional Order Clerk (CPOC) is a professional certification program that provides individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to become an effective order clerk. CPOC is designed to help individuals develop the skills needed to accurately process customer orders, communicate effectively with customers, and manage inventory.

It typically takes about 6-12 months to complete the CPOC program. The program consists of online courses, webinars, and hands-on training. Depending on the provider, there may also be a final exam or project required for completion of the program.

To get certified as a CPOC, you must first find an accredited provider offering the certification program. Once you have found a provider, you will need to register for their course and pay any associated fees. You will then need to complete all of the required courses and exams in order to receive your certification.

The cost of becoming certified as a CPOC varies depending on the provider and can range from $500-$2000 USD.

2. Certified Order Processing Specialist (COPS)

Certified Order Processing Specialist (COPS) is a certification program offered by the National Association of Certified Order Processors (NACOP). The certification program is designed to provide professionals in the order processing industry with the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively manage and process orders.

The COPS certification program consists of two parts: an online course and a final exam. The online course covers topics such as order entry, customer service, inventory management, payment processing, shipping and returns. The final exam is a multiple-choice test that tests your knowledge of the material covered in the online course.

In order to become certified as a COPS, you must successfully complete both parts of the program. It typically takes about six weeks to complete both parts of the program.

The cost for becoming certified as a COPS is $299 USD. This fee includes access to the online course, study materials, and the final exam.

3. Certified Order Management Professional (COMP)

Certified Order Management Professional (COMP) is a professional certification program designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated knowledge and proficiency in order management. The program focuses on the core competencies of order management, including order processing, inventory control, customer service, logistics and supply chain management. It is an industry-recognized credential that validates an individual’s ability to effectively manage orders from start to finish.

It takes approximately 6-8 weeks to complete the COMP certification. The program consists of three parts: a self-study course; an online exam; and a practical assessment. The self-study course provides a comprehensive overview of order management processes and best practices. The online exam tests your knowledge of the material covered in the course. Finally, the practical assessment evaluates your ability to apply what you’ve learned in real-world scenarios.

In order to get certified as a Certified Order Management Professional (COMP), you must first register for the program through the Order Management Certification Institute (OMCI). After registration is complete, you will receive access to the self-study materials and instructions on how to take the online exam and practical assessment.

The cost for becoming certified as a Certified Order Management Professional (COMP) varies depending on which package you choose. The basic package costs $1,495 USD and includes access to all three components of the certification program: self-study course, online exam, and practical assessment. There are also packages available with additional benefits such as mentoring or job placement assistance that can range up to $2,995 USD.

4. Certified Sales Order Processor (CSOP)

Certified Sales Order Processor (CSOP) is a certification program offered by the Professional Association of Sales Professionals (PASP). It is designed to help sales professionals become more proficient in their sales order processing skills. The CSOP certification requires individuals to demonstrate their mastery of key concepts related to sales order processing, including understanding customer requirements, creating accurate and timely quotes, and developing efficient processes for order entry and fulfillment.

The CSOP certification process typically takes between four and six months to complete. During this time, applicants must complete an online application form, attend an in-person assessment day, and pass a written exam. There is also a fee associated with the program; the cost varies depending on the country or region where you are taking the exam.

To get certified as a CSOP, applicants must first meet certain prerequisites. These include having at least two years of experience in sales order processing or related fields, being knowledgeable about customer service principles and practices, and having basic computer skills. Once these criteria have been met, applicants can then register for the CSOP assessment day and take the written exam.

The cost of taking the CSOP certification exam varies depending on your location; however, it typically ranges from $200-$400 USD.

5. Certified Inventory and Order Fulfillment Specialist (CIOS)

Certified Inventory and Order Fulfillment Specialist (CIOS) is a professional certification program designed to provide individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively manage inventory, order fulfillment, and customer service in today’s competitive business environment. The CIOS program focuses on understanding how to accurately track inventory levels, optimize order fulfillment processes, and ensure customer satisfaction.

The CIOS program consists of two parts: an online course and a proctored exam. The online course takes approximately 8-10 hours to complete and covers topics such as inventory management, order processing, customer service standards, warehouse operations, shipping/receiving procedures, and more. After completing the coursework, students must pass a proctored exam in order to receive their certification.

The cost of the CIOS program varies depending on the provider; however, it typically ranges from $400-$600 USD for both the online course and proctored exam. To get started with the CIOS program, individuals should contact a certified provider or visit their website for more information about enrollment requirements.

6. Certified Logistics and Distribution Specialist (CLDS)

Certified Logistics and Distribution Specialist (CLDS) is a professional certification program designed to provide individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to become successful logistics and distribution professionals. The CLDS program is offered by the American Society of Transportation & Logistics (AST&L).

The CLDS program consists of three courses, each focusing on a different area of logistics and distribution:

1. Introduction to Logistics and Distribution

2. Principles of Logistics and Distribution

3. Advanced Logistics and Distribution.

The program takes approximately two years to complete, depending on how quickly the student completes the coursework. To get certified, students must pass all three courses with a minimum grade of 70%.

The cost for the CLDS program varies depending on where you take it. Generally, it costs around $2,000 for the entire program or $700 per course if taken separately. The cost may include textbooks, materials, exam fees, and other related expenses.

7. Certified Supply Chain Management Professional (CSCMP)

Certified Supply Chain Management Professional (CSCMP) is a professional certification program offered by the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP). It is designed to recognize individuals with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to excel in supply chain management.

The CSCMP certification process involves passing an exam based on the CSCMP Body of Knowledge. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions covering topics such as supply chain strategy, operations, logistics, and procurement. The exam must be taken at an approved testing center and takes about three hours to complete.

To qualify for the CSCMP certification, applicants must have a minimum of five years of experience in supply chain management or related fields. Applicants must also have a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university.

The cost of the CSCMP certification program varies depending on whether you are an individual or a corporate member. For individual members, the cost is $495 plus applicable taxes and fees. For corporate members, the cost is $1,295 plus applicable taxes and fees.

8. Certified Purchasing Manager (CPM)

Certified Purchasing Manager (CPM) is a professional certification program offered by the Institute for Supply Management (ISM). It is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated expertise in purchasing and supply management. The CPM certification is based on a comprehensive body of knowledge, which includes topics such as strategic sourcing, supplier relationship management, contract negotiation, and risk management.

The CPM certification process typically takes about six months to complete. To become certified, you must first meet the eligibility criteria set forth by ISM. This includes having five years of professional purchasing experience and a bachelor’s degree or equivalent from an accredited institution. Once you have met these requirements, you must then pass an exam administered by ISM.

The cost of becoming certified varies depending on your membership status with ISM. If you are not an ISM member, the cost of taking the exam is $450 USD plus applicable taxes. If you are already an ISM member, the cost of taking the exam is $350 USD plus applicable taxes. Additionally, there may be other fees associated with obtaining your CPM certification such as study materials or travel expenses if you choose to take the exam at a testing center outside of your local area.

9. Certified Shipping and Receiving Clerk (CSRC)

Certified Shipping and Receiving Clerk (CSRC) is a professional certification program offered by the International Association of Certified Shipping and Receiving Clerks (IACSRC). It is designed to provide individuals with the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to perform shipping and receiving functions in a safe, efficient, and cost-effective manner. The CSRC certification program consists of three levels: Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced.

The Basic level is designed for entry-level shipping/receiving clerks who have some experience in the field. This level covers topics such as inventory control, order processing, packing/unpacking procedures, shipping document preparation, and customer service. The Intermediate level is designed for those with more experience in shipping/receiving who are looking to expand their knowledge base. Topics covered include hazardous material handling, international shipping regulations, freight forwarding services, customs clearance procedures, and more. The Advanced level is intended for experienced professionals who want to take their career to the next level. Topics covered include warehouse management systems (WMS), supply chain management (SCM), quality assurance (QA) principles, transportation logistics & planning principles, and more.

It typically takes 3-6 months to complete all three levels of the CSRC certification program depending on how much time an individual dedicates to studying each week. To get certified at any of the three levels an individual must pass a written exam administered by IACSRC. The cost of taking the exam varies depending on which level an individual is attempting but generally ranges from $50-$200 USD per exam attempt.

10. Certified Warehouse Associate (CWA)

Certified Warehouse Associate (CWA) is a certification program designed to provide warehouse professionals with the skills and knowledge necessary to perform their job duties in a safe, efficient, and effective manner. The program focuses on the fundamentals of warehousing operations, including material handling, inventory control, safety and security, customer service, and other related topics.

The CWA certification requires completion of an online course which takes approximately 10-15 hours to complete. Upon successful completion of the course, individuals must pass a proctored exam administered by a third party testing agency. The cost for the course is typically around $200 USD. Once an individual has passed the exam they will receive their official CWA certificate from the American Logistics Association (ALA).

Do You Really Need a Order Clerk Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on what type of job you are looking for. If you are looking for a position as an order clerk, then yes, you will need an Order Clerk Certificate. An Order Clerk Certificate serves as proof that you have the necessary knowledge and skills required to work in this field. A certificate can also demonstrate your commitment to the profession and provide employers with assurance that they are hiring someone who is knowledgeable and experienced in their chosen field.

In addition to being an important qualification for potential employers, an Order Clerk Certificate can also serve as a way to stay up-to-date on industry trends and best practices. Having a certificate may also make it easier for you to find employment opportunities or advance in your career.

Ultimately, whether or not you need an Order Clerk Certificate will depend on the specific job requirements of the position you are applying for. However, having a certificate can certainly be beneficial and give you a competitive edge when applying for jobs in this field.

Related: Order Clerk Resume Examples

FAQs About Order Clerk Certifications

1. What certifications are available for order clerks?

Answer: The most common certification for order clerks is the Certified Order Processor (COP) certification, which is offered by the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP). Other certifications may include Sales Order Processing, Inventory Control and Purchasing.

2. How do I become certified as an order clerk?

Answer: To become certified as an order clerk, you must pass an exam administered by the IAAP that tests your knowledge of industry-related topics such as customer service, data entry, product tracking and inventory control. You may also need to complete a certain number of hours in relevant coursework or on-the-job training.

3. What qualifications do I need to be eligible for certification?

Answer: Generally, applicants must have at least two years of experience working as an order clerk or in a related field. Some certifying organizations may have additional requirements such as completing a certain number of hours in relevant coursework or on-the-job training.

4. How long does it take to become certified?

Answer: Generally speaking, it takes about 4 months to complete the necessary requirements for certification and then pass the exam administered by the IAAP. However, this timeline can vary depending on how quickly you can meet all prerequisites and study for the exam.

5. Are there any continuing education requirements after becoming certified?

Answer: Yes, many certifying organizations require recertification every few years in order to maintain your certification status and stay up-to-date with industry trends and best practices. This typically involves completing specific courses or attending conferences related to the field of order processing.