APICS Certified in Planning and Inventory Management credential artwork

APICS Certified in Planning and Inventory Management (CPIM)

Validates knowledge of demand planning, supply planning, inventory management, scheduling, distribution and sales and operations planning.

Summary

CPIM is ASCM's certification for planning and inventory management inside an organization, suited to planners, schedulers, buyers and inventory analysts. It covers sales and operations planning, demand, master scheduling, MRP, inventory and detailed scheduling, and gives you the planning vocabulary manufacturers use.

Good fit if

  • You work in demand planning, scheduling or inventory control
  • You want the planning vocabulary used in manufacturing
  • You want a respected credential with no experience requirement

Look elsewhere if

  • You coordinate the end-to-end supply chain: CSCP
  • You focus on purchasing and suppliers: CPSM
  • You want process improvement: Six Sigma Green Belt

Salary & jobs

Prerequisites

No required prerequisites. No degree, work experience or ASCM membership is required. Create a free ASCM account to buy the exam.

Cost

USD · Non-member pricing
$1,755
With ASCM membership and the certification upgrade ($199 a year), the exam costs $1,265. A retake costs $500, or $400 with the upgrade. The Learning System, exam and free-retake bundle costs $3,175, or $2,275 with the upgrade.

What holders say

Renewal

CPIM is valid for five years. Renew it with professional development points.

Validity
5 years
Renewal requirement
75 points per cycle
Application fee
$100 member / $200 non-member

ASCM members earn 6 points for each year of membership. Courses, conferences, webinars and volunteering count; your regular job duties do not. If you miss the due date, the certification is suspended for 90 days and then expires, and you must pass the exam again.

ASCM certification maintenance ↗

Alternatives

APICS Certified Supply Chain Professional credential artwork
CSCP$2,015 required · Intermediate

ASCM’s end-to-end supply chain certification, with sourcing, logistics and customer relationships.

Certified Professional in Supply Management credential artwork
CPSM$2,680 required · Advanced

ISM’s procurement and supply management certification.

Certified Six Sigma Green Belt credential artwork
CSSGB$483 required · Intermediate

Lean Six Sigma process improvement, often paired with CPIM in manufacturing.

FAQ

What are the CPIM requirements?

None. You do not need a degree, experience or ASCM membership. Create a free ASCM account and buy the exam.

How much does CPIM cost?

The exam is $1,755 for non-members, or $1,265 with the $199 ASCM membership and certification upgrade. The Learning System costs the same again; the bundle with a free retake is $3,175, or $2,275 with the upgrade.

What is the CPIM passing score?

300 on a scaled range of 200 to 350. It is not a percentage of questions correct.

What changed in CPIM 9.0?

From June 1, 2026 the exam has nine content areas. The old supply module is split into internal supply (12%) and external supply (11%).

How long should I study for CPIM?

ASCM recommends about 100 hours. Plan more if you are new to supply chain planning.

CPIM or CSCP?

CPIM goes deep on planning, scheduling and inventory inside the company. CSCP covers the wider supply chain, including sourcing, logistics and customer relationships, and has eligibility requirements.

Can I retake CPIM?

Yes, after 14 days. A retake costs $500, or $400 with the certification upgrade. Bundles include one free retake if you test within 180 days of redeeming the exam credit.

Last updated October 2026