Top 11 Production Clerk Certifications

Certifications for production clerks are important in the job market because they demonstrate a level of proficiency and knowledge in the field. Certifications also provide employers with assurance that a potential employee has the skills and qualifications necessary to perform their duties effectively. They showcase an individual's dedication to professional growth, as well as their commitment to staying up-to-date on industry standards and practices. This can help set a production clerk apart from other job seekers and give them an edge when looking for new employment opportunities.

The purpose of this article is to review the top certifications for Production Clerks and explain how they can help to further a Production Clerk's career.

What are Production Clerk Certifications?

Production clerk certification is a program designed to help individuals gain the knowledge and skills necessary to work in a production environment. This type of certification provides training on topics such as safety procedures, quality control, inventory management, and machine maintenance. It also covers topics such as problem solving, communication strategies, and customer service. By obtaining this certification, production clerks can demonstrate their proficiency in these areas and prove that they are qualified for the job.

Having production clerk certification can be beneficial in many ways. For employers, having certified staff can improve operational efficiency by ensuring that workers have the necessary skills to do their job correctly. This can lead to improved overall productivity and profitability. For employees, having this certification gives them an edge when it comes to finding employment opportunities and negotiating higher wages. Additionally, having this certification allows workers to stay up-to-date with current industry trends which can help them stay ahead of the competition.

Pro Tip: When pursuing production clerk certification, make sure to research available courses and certifications to find the best fit for your career goals. Additionally, ensure that the certification you pursue is up-to-date with the latest industry standards and requirements.

Related: What does a Production Clerk do?

Top 11 Production Clerk Certifications

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

1. Certified Production Clerk (CPC)

Certified Production Clerk (CPC) is a professional certification program offered by the American Production and Inventory Control Society (APICS). The CPC certification is designed to help production clerks, inventory control personnel, and other supply chain professionals demonstrate their knowledge and expertise in the field.

The CPC certification program consists of two parts: a written exam and a practical skills assessment. The written exam covers topics such as inventory management, production planning, materials handling, customer service, and quality assurance. The practical skills assessment is an on-site evaluation of the candidate’s ability to apply their knowledge in a real-world environment.

The CPC certification typically takes between three to six months to complete depending on the individual’s experience level. Candidates must first register for the exam with APICS and then complete all necessary coursework before taking the written exam. After passing the written exam, candidates must complete the practical skills assessment before receiving their official certification.

The cost of obtaining CPC certification varies depending on whether or not you are already an APICS member. For non-members, the total cost can range from $400-$600 USD; however, members may be eligible for discounted rates.

2. Certified Quality Control Technician (CQCT)

Certified Quality Control Technician (CQCT) is a professional certification program that provides individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to become successful quality control technicians. The CQCT certification is designed to demonstrate a technician’s ability to identify, analyze, and solve quality control problems in the manufacturing process.

It typically takes about six months of study and practice to prepare for the CQCT exam. During this time, individuals should gain experience in quality assurance processes, understand basic principles of statistical process control, and develop problem-solving skills. Additionally, applicants must complete a course on quality control fundamentals from an accredited institution.

The CQCT exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions covering topics such as product design, production processes, inspection techniques, corrective action plans, and customer service. To be eligible to take the exam, applicants must have at least two years of experience in a quality control role or have completed an approved training program.

The cost of taking the CQCT exam varies depending on where you take it and what type of materials you use for studying. Generally speaking, it costs around $500-$600 for the exam fee plus any additional fees associated with training courses or materials purchased for studying.

3. Certified Production Scheduling Professional (CPSP)

Certified Production Scheduling Professional (CPSP) is a certification program offered by the Association for Operations Management (APICS). It is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated expertise in production scheduling and material management.

The CPSP certification program consists of two parts: an online exam and a practical project. The online exam tests knowledge in areas such as scheduling concepts, capacity planning, inventory management, and supply chain management. The practical project requires applicants to demonstrate their ability to apply their knowledge in a real-world setting.

It typically takes between six months and one year to complete the CPSP certification program. During that time, applicants must complete the online exam and submit their practical project for review by APICS.

To get the CPSP certification, applicants must first register with APICS and pay the applicable fees. The registration fee varies depending on whether you are an APICS member or not; members receive a discounted rate. Once registered, applicants can begin working on the online exam and practical project at any time.

The total cost of getting the CPSP certification depends on whether you are an APICS member or not. For non-members, it typically costs around $600-$800 USD for the registration fee plus any additional fees for optional study materials or practice exams. For APICS members, it typically costs around $400-$500 USD for the registration fee plus any additional fees for optional study materials or practice exams.

4. Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP)

Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP) is a professional certification program offered by the American Production and Inventory Control Society (APICS). The CSCP designation is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated mastery of the essential knowledge and skills in supply chain management.

To become certified, an individual must pass a three-part exam that covers topics such as supply chain strategy, design, planning and execution, global logistics, inventory management, customer service, quality management and more. The exam takes approximately four hours to complete.

The cost of the CSCP exam varies depending on where you take it. In the United States, the cost is $695 for members of APICS or $995 for non-members. The fee includes access to online study materials and one attempt at the exam.

In order to prepare for the CSCP exam, it is recommended that individuals take an APICS-approved course or use self-study materials. There are also practice exams available online for those who want to test their knowledge before taking the real thing.

Once you have passed the exam, you will be awarded your CSCP certification which is valid for three years. After three years you will need to recertify by passing an updated version of the exam or earning continuing education credits through approved activities such as attending conferences or completing courses related to supply chain management.

5. Certified Inventory Control Specialist (CICS)

Certified Inventory Control Specialist (CICS) is a professional certification program designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated expertise in inventory control and management. The CICS certification is offered by the Institute for Supply Management (ISM), a global leader in supply chain education and certification.

To become certified, an individual must pass an exam administered by ISM. The exam covers topics such as inventory management principles, inventory control systems, inventory forecasting, inventory optimization, and cycle counting procedures. It takes approximately two to three hours to complete the exam.

The cost of the CICS certification varies depending on how many exams you need to take and whether or not you are a member of ISM. Generally speaking, the cost ranges from $200-$500 USD.

In order to successfully pass the CICS exam, it is recommended that applicants have at least two years of experience in inventory control and/or management. Additionally, applicants should be familiar with basic concepts such as supply chain management, logistics operations, purchasing processes, warehousing operations, and quality assurance practices.

6. Certified Manufacturing Technician (CMT)

Certified Manufacturing Technician (CMT) is a certification program offered by the Manufacturing Skill Standards Council (MSSC). It is designed to certify that individuals have the skills and knowledge required to be successful in the manufacturing industry. The CMT certification covers topics such as safety, quality, production processes, problem solving, communication, and team work.

It takes approximately 6-8 months to complete the CMT program depending on how quickly you can learn and understand the material. The program consists of four core courses: Safety, Quality Practices & Measurement; Manufacturing Processes & Production; Maintenance Awareness; and Supply Chain Logistics. Each course requires a minimum of 40 hours of instruction and must be completed within 12 months of starting the program.

To get certified as a CMT, you must successfully pass all four core courses with a score of 70% or higher on each exam. After completing all four courses, you will receive your official CMT certificate from MSSC.

The cost for the CMT certification varies depending on where you take it and which provider you use. Generally speaking, it costs between $500-$1,000 USD to complete the entire program including all four courses and exams.

7. Certified Logistics Technician (CLT)

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

It takes approximately one year to complete the CLT program, depending on your prior knowledge and experience. The CLT program consists of four modules: Introduction to Logistics, Supply Chain Management, Transportation Management, and Warehouse Management. Each module includes online courses, exams, and assignments.

To get the CLT certification, you must first pass all four modules with a score of 70% or higher. After completing all four modules, you will be eligible for the final exam. This exam requires a minimum passing score of 80%. Once you have passed this exam, you will receive your Certified Logistics Technician certificate from AST&L.

The cost of the CLT program varies based on your location and whether you are an individual or an organization. For individuals in the US, it typically costs around $1,000 USD for all four modules plus the final exam fee. Organizations may be eligible for discounted rates depending on their size and scope of operations.

8. Certified Production Supervisor (CPS)

Certified Production Supervisor (CPS) is a professional certification designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively manage production operations. The certification is offered by the American Production and Inventory Control Society (APICS).

The CPS exam consists of 200 multiple-choice questions covering topics such as inventory management, demand forecasting, quality assurance, scheduling, cost control, and safety procedures. It typically takes approximately four hours to complete the exam.

In order to obtain the CPS certification, applicants must first pass the CPS exam with a score of at least 70%. Applicants must also have at least three years of experience in a production environment or two years of experience with an APICS-accredited degree program.

The cost for taking the CPS exam varies depending on whether you are an APICS member or non-member. For members, it costs $250 USD; for non-members it costs $400 USD.

9. Certified Quality Assurance Technician (CQAT)

A Certified Quality Assurance Technician (CQAT) is a professional certification that demonstrates an individual's knowledge and skills in quality assurance principles, practices, and techniques. The CQAT certification is administered by the American Society for Quality (ASQ).

The CQAT certification requires a minimum of three years of relevant work experience in quality assurance or related areas. Candidates must also pass an exam to demonstrate their knowledge of quality assurance principles and practices. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions covering topics such as process control, statistical methods, inspection, auditing, and problem solving.

To get the CQAT certification, applicants must submit an application form to ASQ along with proof of their work experience. Once approved, applicants can register for the exam online. The exam fee is $295 USD for ASQ members and $345 USD for non-members.

Once the exam has been successfully completed, applicants will receive their CQAT certificate from ASQ within six weeks. The certification is valid for three years and can be renewed by passing a recertification exam or completing certain continuing education requirements.

10. Certified Lean Six Sigma Green Belt (CLSSGB)

Certified Lean Six Sigma Green Belt (CLSSGB) is an internationally recognized certification that demonstrates a professional’s knowledge and proficiency in the Lean Six Sigma methodology. It is designed to equip professionals with the skills and tools needed to identify, analyze, and improve processes within their organization.

The CLSSGB certification is typically earned through a combination of classroom instruction and online training. The length of time it takes to earn the certification depends on the provider, but most courses last between two and four weeks.

To get certified as a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, you must first complete a course or program approved by an accredited institution such as ASQ or IASSC. After completing the course or program, you must then pass an exam administered by one of these organizations in order to receive your certification.

The cost of getting certified as a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt varies depending on the provider, but it typically ranges from $500-$2,000 USD.

11. Certified Process Improvement Specialist (CPIS).

Certified Process Improvement Specialist (CPIS) is a professional certification offered by the American Society for Quality (ASQ). The CPIS certification is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated a mastery of process improvement techniques and principles. This certification is ideal for professionals in any industry who are looking to improve their processes and increase efficiency.

The CPIS certification requires passing an exam that covers topics such as process improvement fundamentals, process mapping, root cause analysis, data collection and analysis, and project management. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions and must be completed within three hours.

To become certified as a CPIS, applicants must meet certain educational requirements including at least two years of experience in process improvement or quality management or an associate’s degree in a related field. Additionally, applicants must pass the CPIS exam with a score of at least 70%.

The cost of the CPIS certification examination varies based on the country in which you are taking it. In the United States, the fee is $399 USD; however, discounts may be available if you are an ASQ member or if you purchase multiple exams at once.

Once you have passed the exam and met all other requirements, your name will be added to the official ASQ Certified Process Improvement Specialists list. You will also receive an official certificate from ASQ validating your achievement.

Do You Really Need a Production Clerk Certificate?

No, you do not need a production clerk certificate to become a production clerk. However, having one can be beneficial in many ways.

A production clerk certificate is an industry-recognized credential that demonstrates a level of knowledge and experience in the field of production management and operations. It provides employers with assurance that a job candidate has the necessary skills to perform the duties of a production clerk. Additionally, it shows that the individual has taken the initiative to further their education and develop their expertise in this area.

In addition to providing potential employers with confidence in your abilities, having a production clerk certificate may also open up additional opportunities for career advancement or higher wages. By obtaining this certification, you demonstrate your commitment to professional development and prove that you are serious about pursuing a career in this field. Furthermore, it can help set you apart from other applicants who lack the same credentials.

In conclusion, while having a production clerk certificate is not required to become a production clerk, it can provide numerous benefits that could give you an edge over other applicants when applying for jobs. Therefore, if you are considering entering this field or looking for ways to advance your career, obtaining a certification may be worth considering.

Related: Production Clerk Resume Examples

FAQs About Production Clerk Certifications

1. What is a Production Clerk Certification?

Answer: A Production Clerk Certification is a professional certification that demonstrates an individual's knowledge and skills in the field of production clerk work. It typically includes coursework in topics such as inventory control, order processing, customer service, shipping and receiving, and quality assurance.

2. How do I become certified as a Production Clerk?

Answer: To become certified as a Production Clerk, you must complete an approved certification program or pass a qualifying examination. Most programs require completion of coursework in topics such as inventory control, order processing, customer service, shipping and receiving, and quality assurance.

3. What are the benefits of becoming certified as a Production Clerk?

Answer: Becoming certified as a Production Clerk can help you demonstrate your knowledge and abilities in the field to employers. It may also provide access to career advancement opportunities and higher wages.

4. What are the requirements for maintaining my Production Clerk Certification?

Answer: Most certifications require recertification every three to five years by completing continuing education courses or passing an exam that demonstrates current knowledge of industry standards and practices.

5. Is there an exam associated with becoming certified as a Production Clerk?

Answer: Yes, most programs require passing an exam that covers topics such as inventory control, order processing, customer service, shipping and receiving, and quality assurance in order to obtain certification as a Production Clerk.