Certified Master Logistician Program

The practice of logistics is a professional discipline. The Society's professional certification and recognition programs recognize the professional stature and accomplishments of logisticians within commerce, industry, defense, international, federal and local government agencies, as well as in academic and private institutions. The adoption of a certification program in October 1972 was a major step by SOLE to further the accreditation of professionals in the logistics field. This certification program was further expanded in 2005 to include the Certified Master Logistician (CML), recognizing the professions in Logistics Chain Management. This CML certification recognizes the functional interrelationships within the professional responsibilities of logisticians regardless of their occupational roles.

The title "Certified Master Logistician" will be granted to individuals of proven competence in logistics chain management who pass an examination designed to test their broad knowledge of the broad application of logistics chain management activities

The Certification Program for both the CPL and CML is administered by the Certified Professional Logistician Qualification Review Board (CPL-QRB), responsible for reviewing the eligibility of applicants, the conduct of the examination itself, and notifying candidates of the results. Applications for the CML. examination are available as downloads from this website or from SOLE Headquarters by request. Contact information is included below.

CML Certificate

Candidates who successfully pass the certification examination are awarded a specially designed certificate attesting to the successful completion of the certification process.

Successful candidates of the certification examination are granted the designation of "Certified Master Logistician (CML)," by SOLE - The International Society of Logistics. The professional designation should be used in a dignified manner similar to the recognition accorded the accounting, medical insurance, and other professionals Either the full expression or the initials may be used after the individual's name on business cards and stationery but always in a manner consistent with the dignity of the Society.

The Examination

Examinations are held twice annually, in May and November, at announced times and are administered by a proctor appointed by the Society

The examination is conducted during one continuous six-hour period which consists of three two-hour sessions.

The CML candidate takes all three parts at one time and must pass all three parts to be certified. Like the CPL examination, all parts do NOT have to be passed in one sitting: if two of the three parts are passed in one sitting, then only the one part not passed can be retaken. However, if only one part is passed, then all three parts have to be taken again.

There is no limit to the number of times an individual may apply to take the examination.

Multiple choice questions are used, and the examination is "closed book." Only non-programmable calculators are allowed, and no reference material other than that authorized by SOLE is permitted in the testing area. The first two parts if the examination are comprised of only multiple choice questions. Part three of the examination is comprised of case studies requiring analysis and computation, tested by multiple choice questions. Graded under the auspices of SOLE's Education Committee, candidates are notified of the results of the examination by SOLE Headquarters.

Part 1 - Systems Management (Concepts of systems and logistics)

• Logistics systems and interfaces
• Life Cycle process and costing
• System evaluation factors
• Financial management
• Life cycle costing
• Return on investment
• Management information systems
• Logistics planning and management
• Proposals, source selection and contract negotiations
• Organization for logistics, staffing, directing and controlling
• Program management
• System hardware and software

Part 2 - Distribution and Customer Support (Physical supply and distribution)

• Role of distribution
• Material management, packaging, transportation, warehousing and handling
• Materials requirements planning
• Maintenance and field engineering
• Quality assurance
• Technical publications
• Training and education
• Systems and equipment phase-out
• Purchasing and procurement
• Reverse logistics
• Customer service
• Supply Chain Management
• Strategic alliances and partnerships
• Outsourcing
• Logistics organizations and human resources

Part 3 - Case Study Application of Parts 1 and 2

CPL exams are given the first Saturday in May and the first Saturday in November. All new applications must be postmarked by February 1st for the May exam or postmarked by August 1st for the November exam. Payment must accompany the application. The cost is $125 for members and $275 for non-members.

Those wishing to retake the examination parts must send a letter stating their intentions to take the exam, along with payment of $50.00 (for members and non-members) to SOLE HQ. This letter must be postmarked by March 1st for the May exam or postmarked by September 1st for the November exam.

(Note: Fees are not refundable once the application has been received by the Qualification Review Board. A $25.00 cancellation fee will be charged if examinee cancels less than 21 days before the exam date.)

Eligibility Requirements

To take the CML examination, applicants must submit an examination application showing they meet one of the following eligibility requirements.

Professional Experience - Eight years experience in practicing or teaching logistics with two years of experience in at least two fields of logistics.

Educational Equivalents - Each academic year of undergraduate accredited coursework in logistics subjects equivalent to one year of professional experience, with undergraduate credits limited to the equivalent of four years experience.

- or -
Bachelor's degree plus 5 years experience
- or -
Master's degree plus 4 years experience
- or -
Doctoral degree plus 3 years experience

Supporting Documentation

Application for the CML examination must be accompanied by supporting documentation such as transcripts, letters of reference, endorsements and copies of awards and citations. Documentation requirements are described in the application instructions.