Top 11 Yard Manager Certifications

Certifications are important for a yard manager in the job market because they demonstrate a certain level of knowledge and expertise in the field. Having certifications can make a yard manager more attractive to potential employers, as they will know that the candidate has taken the time to hone their skills and stay up-to-date on industry developments. Certifications also demonstrate commitment to professional development and provide assurance to employers that their employees are knowledgeable and competent in their roles. In addition, certifications can open up new career opportunities, such as working with larger companies or being promoted into management positions.

The article reviews the top certifications for Yard Managers and explains how they can benefit a yard manager's career.

What are Yard Manager Certifications?

Yard Manager Certification is a professional designation for those in the transportation and logistics industry who work in yards, loading docks, and warehouses. The certification is designed to recognize individuals who have obtained the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to effectively manage yard operations. With this certification, professionals can demonstrate their expertise in areas such as safety management, inventory control, equipment maintenance, and more.

Having a Yard Manager Certification can help enhance job prospects for those seeking employment in the transportation and logistics industry. It also provides employers with assurance that potential hires possess the necessary qualifications to be successful in managing yard operations. Additionally, having a Yard Manager Certification can provide employees with an edge over their competition when it comes to promotions or raises. Finally, having this certification can help increase job satisfaction by providing employees with recognition of their hard-earned skills and accomplishments.

Pro Tip: When obtaining a yard manager certification, make sure to stay up-to-date on the latest safety regulations and industry standards. Keeping abreast of new rules and regulations will help ensure that your yard is compliant and running efficiently.

Related: What does a Yard Manager do?

Top 11 Yard Manager Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Yard Managers today.

1. OSHA 10-Hour Construction Safety Certification

OSHA 10-Hour Construction Safety Certification is a voluntary program offered by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The certification is designed to provide construction workers with safety and health training on the job. It covers topics such as hazard recognition, avoidance, control, and prevention.

The OSHA 10-Hour Construction Safety Certification consists of two courses that must be completed within five days. The first course is an online self-study program that takes approximately four hours to complete. The second course is an in-person class that lasts six hours and includes a written exam.

To get the OSHA 10-Hour Construction Safety Certification, you must register for the courses through an approved provider. There are many providers available, including universities, trade schools, and private companies. The cost of the certification varies depending on the provider; it can range from $50-$200 per person.

Once you have successfully completed both courses and passed the exam, you will receive your OSHA 10-Hour Construction Safety Certification card which is valid for five years.

2. Certified Professional Yard Manager (CPYM)

Certified Professional Yard Manager (CPYM) is a professional certification program designed to provide yard managers with the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to effectively manage a yard. The CPYM program is administered by the National Association of Yard Management Professionals (NAYMP).

The CPYM program consists of an online course and an examination. The online course covers topics such as safety, security, customer service, inventory management, and other related topics. The exam focuses on the application of these topics in the context of a yard management environment.

To become certified as a CPYM, you must complete the online course and pass the examination with a score of 70% or higher. The entire process typically takes about 8-10 weeks to complete.

The cost for the CPYM program is $495 USD. This fee includes access to the online course materials, the exam fee, and any applicable taxes or fees.

3. Certified Logistics Yard Manager (CLYM)

Certified Logistics Yard Manager (CLYM) is a professional certification program designed to recognize the expertise of individuals who are responsible for managing and operating logistics yards. The CLYM certification is offered by the American Logistics Association (ALA).

The CLYM certification requires applicants to have a minimum of two years of experience in managing and operating logistics yards, as well as knowledge of industry-standard practices, regulations, and safety protocols. Applicants must also pass an exam that covers topics such as yard operations, inventory management, customer service, and safety protocols.

The CLYM certification process typically takes about four weeks from the time you submit your application until you receive your certificate. To get certified, you must first complete an online application form that includes questions about your experience in logistics yard management. Once you submit your application, ALA will review it and contact you to schedule an exam date if they determine that you meet the qualifications for the program.

The cost for the CLYM certification is $400 USD. This fee covers the cost of the exam and any other administrative costs associated with processing your application.

4. National Association of Fleet Administrators (NAFA) Yard Management Certification

The National Association of Fleet Administrators (NAFA) Yard Management Certification is a professional certification program designed to recognize the specialized skills and knowledge required for successful yard management. The certification is offered by NAFA, an international association dedicated to promoting best practices in fleet management.

The Yard Management Certification is an online program that takes approximately 8-10 hours to complete. It consists of two courses: Introduction to Yard Management and Advanced Yard Management. The Introduction course covers topics such as safety, operations, technology, and customer service; while the Advanced course focuses on more advanced topics such as planning, scheduling, inventory control, and data analysis.

In order to obtain the certification, applicants must successfully pass both courses with a minimum score of 80%. Upon completion of the courses, applicants will receive their certificate from NAFA.

The cost for the certification is $295 USD for members of NAFA or $395 USD for non-members.

5. Certified Automotive Fleet Manager (CAFM)

Certified Automotive Fleet Manager (CAFM) is a certification program offered by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE). It is designed to recognize individuals who demonstrate a high level of knowledge and competence in the management of automotive fleets.

The CAFM program requires applicants to pass three exams, each focusing on different aspects of fleet management. The first exam covers topics such as fleet operations, maintenance and repair, safety and security, and financial management. The second exam focuses on vehicle acquisition and disposal, while the third exam covers fleet-specific technology.

In order to become certified, applicants must pass all three exams with a score of 70% or higher. The entire process typically takes between six months and one year to complete.

The cost of becoming certified varies depending on the number of exams taken. Each individual exam costs $60, so if all three are taken at once the total cost would be $180.

6. International Facility Management Association (IFMA) Yard Management Certification

The International Facility Management Association (IFMA) Yard Management Certification is a professional certification program designed to provide individuals with the knowledge and skills to effectively manage yard operations. The certification is intended for those who are responsible for the management of yard operations, including inventory control, material handling, fleet maintenance, and other related activities.

The IFMA Yard Management Certification consists of two parts: an online self-assessment and a live exam. The self-assessment includes questions on topics such as safety regulations, inventory management, material handling techniques, and more. This assessment must be completed before taking the live exam.

The live exam is administered by an IFMA-approved proctor at a designated testing center. It consists of multiple-choice questions that focus on topics such as yard operations management principles, safety regulations, material handling techniques, and other related topics.

It typically takes between four and six weeks to complete the IFMA Yard Management Certification program from start to finish. To get certified, individuals must first register for the program online. Once registered, they will receive instructions on how to access the self-assessment and schedule their live exam appointment.

The cost of the IFMA Yard Management Certification program varies depending on whether or not an individual is already an IFMA member. For non-members, the cost is $495 USD; for members it’s $395 USD.

7. American Trucking Associations (ATA) Yard Management Certification

The American Trucking Associations (ATA) Yard Management Certification is an industry-recognized program designed to provide yard management professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively manage a safe, efficient, and compliant yard. The certification program covers topics such as safety, compliance, asset tracking, inventory control, and customer service. It also provides guidance on how to create a culture of continuous improvement in the yard.

To get ATA Yard Management Certification, applicants must complete a series of online courses and pass a final exam. The courses cover topics such as safety regulations, yard operations best practices, asset tracking systems, inventory control procedures, customer service strategies, and more. The entire program typically takes about 30 hours to complete.

The cost of the ATA Yard Management Certification program varies depending on whether you choose to take the courses online or in-person. Online courses typically cost around $500 while in-person classes can range from $1,000-$2,000. In addition to the course fees, there is also an exam fee of $100 that must be paid before taking the final exam.

8. National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Yard Management Certification

The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Yard Management Certification is a program designed to help automotive service professionals and technicians become more knowledgeable and skilled in the management of vehicle yards. The certification is offered by ASE, a non-profit organization that promotes excellence in automotive service and repairs.

The certification requires applicants to complete an online course and pass a written exam. The course covers topics such as yard operations, safety, customer service, inventory control, and other related areas. It typically takes about 10 hours to complete the online course. Once completed, applicants must pass a two-hour written exam to receive their certification.

To get certified, individuals must first apply for the program online at ASE's website. There is an application fee of $125 USD which covers the cost of both the online course and the written exam. After submitting their application and paying the fee, applicants will be given access to the online course materials. They will then have three months from the date of payment to complete all requirements for certification.

Once they have successfully completed all requirements, they will receive their ASE Yard Management Certification card in the mail within four weeks after passing their exam. This card serves as proof that they have met all requirements for certification and can be used when applying for jobs or seeking promotions within the automotive industry.

9. American Logistics Association (ALA) Yard Management Certification

The American Logistics Association (ALA) Yard Management Certification is a professional certification program designed to recognize and promote the highest standards of yard management. The certification is based on a comprehensive set of best practices for managing yards, including safety, security, efficiency, and sustainability.

To obtain the ALA Yard Management Certification, applicants must successfully complete an online course that covers topics such as yard layout and design, inventory management, resource optimization, and compliance with regulations. The course takes approximately 8-10 hours to complete. Upon successful completion of the course, applicants will receive a certificate from the ALA.

The cost for the ALA Yard Management Certification is $299 USD.

10. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Yard Management Certification

National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Yard Management Certification is a voluntary certification program designed to recognize excellence in yard management. The certification is based on the NIST 800-171 security standards, which are designed to protect Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) from unauthorized access or disclosure.

The certification process takes approximately three months to complete and includes an assessment of the organization’s yard management system, including its policies, procedures, and practices. The assessment is conducted by an independent third-party auditor who evaluates the organization’s system against the NIST 800-171 security standards.

To get certified, organizations must first submit an application to NIST for review. Once approved, organizations can then begin the assessment process with their chosen third-party auditor. Organizations must also provide evidence that they have implemented all of the required security controls as outlined in the NIST 800-171 standard.

The cost of obtaining NIST Yard Management Certification varies depending on the size and complexity of the organization's system. Generally speaking, it typically costs between $5,000 and $10,000 for a full assessment and certification process.

11. International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 9001:2015 Quality Management System Certification

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 9001:2015 Quality Management System Certification is a globally recognized standard that sets out the requirements for a quality management system. It helps organizations to ensure they meet customer and other stakeholder needs, while also meeting statutory and regulatory requirements related to their products and services.

ISO 9001:2015 certification requires an organization to demonstrate its ability to consistently provide products and services that meet customer and applicable statutory and regulatory requirements, as well as demonstrating its commitment to continually improve the effectiveness of its quality management system.

The process of obtaining ISO 9001:2015 certification typically takes 3-6 months, depending on the size of the organization, complexity of its operations, and how well established its existing quality management system is. The process involves implementing a quality management system based on the ISO 9001:2015 standard, followed by an audit by an external certification body (such as Lloyds Register or Bureau Veritas).

To get ISO 9001:2015 certification, organizations should first assess their current processes against the requirements of the standard. This can be done through gap analysis or internal audits. Then they should develop a quality management system according to the standards outlined in ISO 9001:2015. Once this has been done, organizations can then apply for certification from an external certification body.

The cost of obtaining ISO 9001:2015 certification varies depending on factors such as size and complexity of the organization’s operations, but typically ranges between $3,000 - $15,000 USD. This cost includes fees for consultancy support during implementation, registration fees with a certification body, internal auditing costs and any necessary corrective actions prior to final assessment by a third-party auditor.

Do You Really Need a Yard Manager Certificate?

No, you do not need a yard manager certificate to become a successful yard manager. Although having this certification may be beneficial and give employers confidence in your abilities, it is by no means a requirement for the job. There are many other qualifications that can make you an effective yard manager such as organizational skills, communication skills, customer service, problem solving and leadership abilities.

The best way to become a successful yard manager is to gain experience in the field by working in related positions or internships. This will give you a chance to develop the necessary skills and knowledge that will make you an effective yard manager. Additionally, having a degree or specialized training in business management or related fields can also be beneficial when applying for this position.

In conclusion, although having a yard manager certificate may help you get ahead of other applicants who lack such credentials, it is not required for success as a yard manager. The most important thing is to gain experience in the field and develop the necessary skills needed for the job.

Related: Yard Manager Resume Examples

FAQs About Yard Manager Certifications

1. What is a yard manager certification?

A yard manager certification is a qualification that demonstrates the holder has the knowledge and skills to oversee the safe and efficient management of a yard or other outdoor facility.

2. How do I become certified as a yard manager?

In order to become certified as a yard manager, you must complete an approved training program and pass an exam administered by an accredited organization such as the National Yard Manager Certification Board (NYMCB).

3. What topics are covered in a yard manager certification program?

Topics typically covered in a yard manager certification program include safety, best practices for managing yards and outdoor facilities, rules and regulations related to running these types of businesses, proper equipment operation and maintenance, customer service, budgeting and financial management, communication techniques, problem-solving strategies, and more.

4. Are there any prerequisites for becoming certified as a yard manager?

Most organizations require applicants to have at least two years of experience working in the field before they can apply for certification. Additionally, some programs may require applicants to possess certain educational qualifications or demonstrate their proficiency in certain topics through testing prior to being accepted into the program.

5. How long does it take to become certified as a yard manager?

The amount of time it takes to become certified depends on the specific program you choose; however, most programs offer courses that can be completed within 12 months or less.