The last thing you want as the owner of a logistics business is a staff that doesn’t know what they’re doing. With all the moving parts associated with this industry, hiring employees who are competent at their jobs is vital for long-term success.
That’s where logistics certifications can really come in handy. These programs are designed to provide employees with the information they need to stay safe and work efficiently, but can also help to advance their careers via skill building. And considering 45% of logistics businesses say that a lack of qualified applicants is their biggest challenge, certifications could be a good way to close the gap.
In this guide, we’ll cover some of the best logistics certifications that you can sign up for now, including how much they cost and how they can benefit your business in the long run.
Top Logistics Certifications
There are quite a few logistics certifications that you can choose from to improve your standing in the industry. Click the links below to get some information about each certification, and keep scrolling to learn more about the benefits, costs, and necessity of getting certified in logistics.
- Certified in Logistics, Transportation, and Distribution (CLTD)
- Certified Professional Logistician (CPL)
- Supply Chain Operations Reference (SCOR-P)
- Certified in Production and Inventory Management (CPIM)
- Project Management Professional (PMP)
- Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP)
- Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM)
Certified in Logistics, Transportation, and Distribution (CLTD)
- Price: $1,075 for members, $1,500 for non-members
This certification is available from the Association for Supply Chain Management (ASCM) and its focus is a bit more honed than other options on this list. As you can guess from the name, it centered exclusively on logistics, transportation, and distribution within the supply chain.
The CLTD exam comes in nine different modules, consisting of 150 total questions. You’ll be given 3.5 hours to finish the exam. There are in-person and online options available to take the exam.
Certified Professional Logistician (CPL)
- Price: $225 for members and $375 for non-members
The CPL option is available from the International Society of Logistics (SOLE) and is geared towards advanced professionals with at least nine years of experience.
The exam process is a bit more strenuous; it’s eight hours long, spread across four separate two-hour sessions.
It is a closed-book examination, and you’ll have to pass all four parts to become certified. If you pass only one or two parts, you’ll have to take the entire exam over again, but if you pass three, you are allowed to only take that final part again. There is no limit to the number of times you can retake the exam.
Supply Chain Operations Reference Professional (SCOR-P)
- Price: $3,730 for members, $4,640 for non-members
This certification is also available thanks to the ASCM, and it is globally viewed as a clear standard for supply chain management. It teaches logistics professionals some of the standardized performance metrics in the industry, allowing them to be more effective in their roles.
As you can likely guess from the price, it’s much more in-depth than a simple exam. The SCOR-P certification requires a three-day training course, in addition to an exam at the end to test your knowledge of the course materials.
Certified in Production and Inventory Management (CPIM)
- Price: $1,240 for members, $1,720 for non-members
This is another certification that is available from the ASCM, and it’s primarily focused on providing professionals with more knowledge about inventory management, like enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems and materials requirement planning (MRP).
The CPIM has an almost-identical exam process as the CLTD, with eight different modules, 150 total questions, and 3.5 hours to finish the exam. Because it’s also available from ASCM, you’ll have in-person and online options, and you can bundle the exam with a course to increase your chances of passing for an additional cost.
Project Management Professional (PMP)
- Price: $425 for members, $675 for non-members
Available from the Project Management Institute (PMI), this certification is geared more towards professionals with three to five years of experience who want to learn how to more effectively lead projects, specifically “managing the people, processes, and business priorities of professional projects.”
The PMP exam is quite extensive, with 180 total questions that participants will have 230 minutes to finish. There are three categories — People, Process, and Business Environment — that the exam will consist of.
Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP)
- Price: $1,420 for members, $1,975 for non-members
Yet another option from ASCM, this certification is a full-on supply chain catch-all, geared towards professionals that want a grander understanding of the supply chain process, from risk and relationships to technology and sustainability.
ASCM is quite consistent with the exam process, as the CSCP exam is quite similar to the CLTD and CPIM exams, consisting of eight modules, 150 total questions, and 3.5 hours to complete the exam.
Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM)
- Price: $495 for members, $725 for non-members
This certification comes from the Institute for Supply Management (ISM), and it provides professionals with a widely recognized credential for managing the supply chain.
To acquire a CPSM, you’ll have to take three different exams. The first is called Supply Management Core and consists of 180 questions over three hours. The second is called Supply Management Integration and consists of 165 questions over two hours and 45 minutes. Finally, there’s the Leadership and Transformation in Supply Management section, which consists of 165 questions over two hours and 45 minutes.
Do You Need Certifications to Work in Logistics?
The logistics industry involves a lot of moving parts, which may lead some to believe that certifications are required to be an employee.
However, the reality is that, while they certainly help, you do not need to be certified to work in the logistics industry. On top of that, a logistics degree also isn’t necessarily required for you to be employed by a business in the industry.
While there are no requirements for certifications or degrees to work in the logistics industry, they will certainly help your chances of getting hired. As with any industry, more qualified individuals are more sought after for open positions, so if you want to get ahead, a certification might be a good idea.
Benefits of Being Certified in Logistics
Getting certified in the logistics business does cost a bit of money, but there are some clear benefits that can improve your professional standing and make life a bit better in the long run. Here are some benefits of getting certified in logistics.
- More job opportunities: Certification isn’t required for the industry, but many companies require certain certifications in order to be considered for upper-level positions.
- Higher salary: Like going to grad school, adding certifications to your resume can lead to higher salaries from your current company, as well as those looking to hire you.
- Improved safety: The logistics business can be a dangerous gig, and certifications can teach professionals how to be safe and efficient on the job.
It’s worth noting that higher salary could substantially attract more truckers, with 39% of potential applicants noting that low pay is the biggest barrier to entry in the industry, according to the Moving Goods With Fewer Hands report from Tech.co.
Simply put, getting certified in the logistics industry is the best way to put your career on the right path. By adding these valuable additions to your professional tool belt, you can ensure that the future will be bright, whether it be your salary, your position, or your safety.
How Much Does Logistics Certification Cost?
While there are some clear benefits to getting certified in the logistics industry, the process to do so isn’t free. In fact, some of the licensing tests and certifications cost quite a bit of money, so you’ll want to be sure you account for those costs before making a decision.
As for how much it costs, it can vary depending on the certification. Some tests are as low as $300 while others can cost as much as $5,000 for advanced learning materials to ensure you pass the test.
It’s also worth noting that the certification costs can be quite different depending on whether or not you are a member of the organization certifying you. For a CLTD, for example, you’ll pay only $1,075 per exam as a member of the Association for Supply Chain Management (ASCM), but non-members will have to pay $1,500 per exam.
