Survey

As your organization's buyer, do you read formal purchasing agreements?

Only for a formal written contract.
Only for a major purchase involving a high dollar amount.
Only skim unless for a high amount.
Read every written agreement in detail.
Only read from a new or recent supplier.

FAQs

Membership

What types of membership are available?
The American Purchasing Society offers a variety of membership options. The types of memberships are Individual, Company, Associate, and Retired. An individual membership allows members to take benefits with them if they change companies. This type of membership cannot be transferred or changed to a different type of membership without permission of the membership holder. It does not matter who pays for the membership. A company membership always stays with the company that joins as long as dues are paid. Company memberships include all benefits for up to three representatives without any extra fee. There is an additional charge for each person over three. Representatives may only be assigned to another person by their authorized company representative. Associate memberships are only available to full-time students in a recognized college or university. Retired memberships are only available to those who retire after five years of membership.

Where are members located?
Members are located in every state in the United States and in many foreign countries as well.

Who are the members?
Members are buyers, purchasing managers, executives, organizations, and other business people who are employed by all types of organizations. They may come from manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers, as well as, service industries, such as hospitals and universities.

What are the requirements for membership in the American Purchasing Society?
Anyone interested in the purchasing profession is welcome to join. Most members are buyers for business, purchasing managers, executives, organizations, or other business people.

Does the Society have local chapters?
No. The Society conducts all operations from its general office in Illinois. Members are therefore not required to spend time traveling or attending regular meetings in a particular city. They receive all the information they need by mail, the Internet, or through telephone contacts.

What are the requirements for certification?
A candidate for certification must fill out an application and pay the processing fee. The application must be signed and dated by the applicant indicating that all statements given are true. The candidate must subscribe to conducting business in an ethical manner. The form must list a sufficient number of references and answers must be received from the references given. Provided the references are satisfactory, the applicant must take an examination covering the candidate’s purchasing and business knowledge. The applicant must take the Society’s CPP prep course and pass the exam. Points are then assigned based on the candidate’s education, experience, and the results of the examination. For details see the certification information on this Web site. Click on Certification and then Applying for Certification.

Do I become certified after taking the prep course and exam?
No. You must still apply for certification and meet all the other qualifications for certification. For example, you must submit references. You must pass the examination. You must have a sufficient number of points awarded on the basis of education, experience, and the results of the examination.

How much time should I put aside for the online courses?
The Society currently offers two kind of courses. Self-running online courses: These courses generally take 2 to 3 hours to attend and complete. 2 or 4 week online courses: These courses are usually broken up by weeks. Students can go on at anytime during the day and any day of the week. The time needed depends on the student. Some students spend only 3 to 5 hours a week on a course. Other students find they need to spend 10+ hours a week. The average time spent per week is approximately 5 to 7 hours.

Certification

Why do employers prefer the Certified Purchasing Professional (CPP)?
The Society was the first organization to offer national certification for purchasing professionals. Its program is unique because it is first based on checking applicants' business reputation in addition to their background, capability, education and experience.

How do I get certified?
To learn everything involved in certification please click on Certification to the left side of the page and then click on Applying for Certification. This page will explain the complete certification process. You may also print out an application for certification from this page.

How much does it cost to get certified?
There are different price scenerios. First, it depends on whether someone is a member or non-member. Member prices are lower than non-member prices. It also depends on whether someone takes the online "Preparation for CPP & Exam" course. Please click on Certification and then Applying for Certification to view prices involved with certification. 

Courses and Seminars

When are courses or seminars given?
Many of the online courses are given continuously. The in-house courses are scheduled at the convenience of the buying organization.

Who gives the courses?
Courses are given by highly educated trainers. Most have had on-the-job business and purchasing management experience.