1. What is the certification process?
    • Choose your entry-point. There are three entry-points into CIPS qualifications, Certificate, Advanced Certificate, and Diploma. CIPS QualificationsChoose your desired qualification:
        • Operations:
          • Entry-Point 1: "Certificate in Procurement and Supply Operations" (No pre-requisite certification or experience)
          • Entry-Point 2: "Advanced Certificate in Procurement and Supply Operations" (No pre-requisite certification or experience)
        • Management:
          • Entry-Point 3: "Diploma in Procurement and Supply" (experience or CIPS certificates (above) required)
            • "Advanced Diploma in Procurement and Supply" (Diploma in Procurement and Supply required)
              • "Professional Diploma in Procurement and Supply" (Advanced Diploma in Procurement and Supply required)
          • MCIPS or FCIPS (Professional Diploma in Procurement and Supply required)
      • For complete details, please see  https://www.cips.org/en/Qualifications/About-CIPS-Qualifications/ for details.
    • Attend official training (https://www.certifiedinfosec.com/events/eventlist/0/8/1/49/0/0/0/1/0) 
    • Become a CIPS member (www.cips.org)
    • Register for and successfully pass your CIPS exam
      • You may book your exams for any unit directly through www.cips.org. Next access CIPS' online Exam booking system. You may only do this if you are logged into CIPS' MyCIPS.

        International learners (Non-UK)
        In addition to booking exams online, international learners have the option of using enrollment forms. For all enquiries about the exam entry process please contact the CIPS customer response center (https://www.cips.org/aboutcips/contactingandvisiting/) .
  2. Where do I learn more about the examinations and how to register?
  3. Do I need to take training, or can I just take the exams?
    • CIPS offers a fully accredited educational program resulting in worldwide recognized qualifications by the world's largest and oldest (over 81 years) procurement and supply professional organization. CIPS is the "Thunderbird School of Global Management" for Procurement and Supply Chain Management. Getting a CIPS qualification is serious business, so you definitely need to take official training to pursue CIPS professional qualifications and accreditations.

      Qualifications require up to 5 exams each, and CIPS recommends approximately 50 - 80 hours of instructor-led and self-study per exam. Certified Information Security is the CIPS training center for the North American continent. Click here to find a CIPS training event near you.
  4. How do I take the exams?
    • CIPS proctors exams at various locations in the US, Canada, Caribbean, and other locations around the world. 

      You may book your exams for any unit directly through www.cips.org. Next access CIPS' online Exam booking system. You may only do this if you are logged into CIPS' MyCIPS.

      International learners (Non-UK)
      In addition to booking exams online, international learners have the option of using enrollment forms. For all enquiries about the exam entry process please contact the CIPS customer response center (https://www.cips.org/aboutcips/contactingandvisiting/).
  5. Other Questions? Contact us. 
CIPS QualificationsAbout CIPS qualifications

Throughout the world, CIPS qualifications are recognised as driving leading edge thinking and professionalism in the profession. Each of its qualifications has been developed by working closely with our industry partners to make sure they reflect current, emerging and best practice in procurement and supply chain management.

CIPS offers five qualifications to support your professional development in procurement and supply.  On successful completion of the Diploma, Advanced and Professional diplomas in conjunction with three years experience in a role of responsibility in procurement and supply, you may apply for full membership of CIPS to use the designatory letters, MCIPS.  Find out more about entry requirements.

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 All UK qualifications are Ofqual (the office of the Qualifications and Examinations Regulator) accredited and appear on the Register of Regulated Qualifications. Access the register here.

"MCIPS" is recognised worldwide as the global standard for top quality procurement professionals. When you have successfully completed CIPS Diploma, Advanced Diploma, and Professional Diploma in procurement and supply, in conjunction with three years experience in a role of responsibility in procurement and supply, you may apply for full membership of CIPS and the designatory letters, MCIPS.
scmCIPS exists to promote and develop high standards of professional skill, ability and integrity among all those engaged in purchasing and supply chain management. CIPS assists individuals, organizations and the profession as a whole.

As an influential professional body, CIPS helps all kinds of organizations achieve all-round excellence in procurement and supply management. We do this by offering a range of products & services to equip you with the knowledge, training, and practical skills you need to derive maximum benefit from your procurement practices. To view some further information on CIPS successes and goals, take a look at CIPS' 'All about CIPS' brochure'.

Throughout the world, CIPS qualifications are recognized as driving leading edge thinking and professionalism in the profession. Each of the CIPS qualifications has been developed by working closely with CIPS' industry partners to make sure they reflect current, emerging and best practice in procurement and supply chain management.

scmQuick Facts:
  • The world’s largest procurement and supply professional organization with a global Community of over 115,000 members in 150 countries.
  • A global not-for-profit organization, with regional offices around the world in the UK, Africa, Australia, MENA and soon in China, supporting corporates, public sector and SMEs in all sectors
  • Leading edge thinking, for everyone in procurement and supply management recognized throughout the world as the voice of the procurement and supply management profession with globally-recognized quali?cations.
  • Established in 1932 and awarded a royal charter in 1992

Affiliations and Strategic Partnerships


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CIPS has partnered with with United Nations Secretariat, UNOPS and UNDP delivering procurement best practice to the developing world and UN system.

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CIPS provides public sector procurement values, principles and standards with the US National Institute of Governmental Purchasing (NIGP).
  • Other significant links with governments, business, the public sector and various other organizations in numerous countries including:
    • The Institute for Supply Management
    • The International Federation of Purchasing and Supply Management (IFPSM)
    • International Purchasing and Supply Education and Research Association (IPSERA)
    • National Contract Management Association (NCMA)
    • Purchasing Management Association of Canada (PMAC)
  • CIPS representes a global network of professionals in the private, public and third sectors, in academia, and professional practice.
 

CIS is your official CIPS training and study center west of the Atlantic.

Directory ListingCertified Information Security is the first official CIPS training center based in the United States (www.cips.org/en/Qualifications/study-centres/studycentreslisting/USA---Certified-Information-Security), and is currently the sole official CIPS training center providing regularly scheduled public CIPS training events in the United States, Canada, and most Caribbean Islands. CIS' CIPS courses include: