ISM Announces Reallocation of Accreditation Resources

ISM has announced a change to the Accredited Purchasing Practitioner (A.P.P.) designation. After February 28, 2005, ISM will no longer accept new exam registrations for the A.P.P. designation. Those individuals who have registered prior to March 1, 2005, will have up to one year to take their exams. If they are interested in securing A.P.P. Original/Original Lifetime accreditation, they will need to apply by February 28, 2007. Individuals already holding the A.P.P. designation may still apply for reaccreditation.

An extensive study of ISM's credentialing programs, conducted in association with Knapp & Associates International, Inc., initiated ISM's decision to free up resources to strengthen other programs and undertake new initiatives. Paramount to the recommendation was the diminishing interest in the A.P.P. designation within the supply management community, which prevented the program from remaining financially feasible. The decision to cease issuing new A.P.P.s received the support of ISM's Board of Directors. Beginning in March 2005, ISM will reallocate credentialing resources to activities of greater interest and benefit to supply management professionals. In the next year, the Certified Purchasing Manager (C.P.M.) designation will also be reviewed and updated.

The A.P.P. will still be recognized and honored within the supply management profession. ISM encourages individuals who have achieved the A.P.P. designation to continue citing it as part of their professional identity and consider acquiring the C.P.M. designation. ISM will send communications to all A.P.P. professionals, and the ISM Web site will continue to offer detailed information on all Certification resources. Contact ISM Certification at certification@ism.ws or 800/888-6276, extension 3027.

For a list of Frequently Asked Questions about the changes to the A.P.P. program, click here.