Certified Professional Logistician (CPL), Certified Master Logistician (CML), and Demonstrated Logistician Programs for Logistics Professional in the U.S. and Worldwide
Established in 1966, and based in Laurel Maryland, SOLE - The International Society of Logistics is an international professional society composed of individuals organized to enhance the art and science of logistics technology, education and management. The Society is not sponsored by any group, company or other associations.
SOLE was founded in 1966 as the Society of Logistics Engineers "to engage in educational, scientific, and literary endeavors to advance the art of logistics technology and management." There are over 90 SOLE chapters in more than 50 countries throughout the world. Chapters conduct technical meetings, symposia and workshops, all designed to provide the SOLE member with opportunities for professional advancement. Chapters and districts also sponsor regional technical meetings.
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 expanded certification program recognizes the functional interrelationships within the professional responsibilities of logisticians regardless of their occupational roles.
Certification Programs
Certified Professional Logistician (CPL)
- Certified Professional Logistician is awarded to individuals of proven competence in logistics who pass an examination designed to test their broad knowledge of the entire logistics spectrum. 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 eight-hour period, and consists of four two-hour sessions. The CPL examination itself is often ranked as the equivalent of a Masters Degree for logistics managers and practitioners.
- To take the CPL examination, applicants must have one of the eligibility requirements - Nine years experience in practicing or teaching logistics with two years of experience in at least two fields of logistics and 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 / Master's degree plus 4 years experience / Doctoral degree plus 3 years experience.
Certified Master Logistician (CML)
- Certified Master Logistician (CML) 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. 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. Unlike the CPL examination all parts must be passed at one sitting. There is no limit to the number of times an individual may apply to take the examination.
- To take the CML examination, applicants must have one of the eligibility requirements - Eight years experience in practicing or teaching logistics with two years of experience in at least two fields of logistics and 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 / Master's degree plus 4 years experience / Doctoral degree plus 3 years experience.
Demonstrated Logistician Program
- The candidate can be awarded the highest level of recognition they qualify for at any time in his/her career. There is no requirement to start at the DL and work up to the DML. Candidates who complete the necessary education and performance requirements are awarded a specially designed certificate attesting to the awarding of the appropriate level of recognition. Professional Experience Based on the level of education the individual has attained the following years of professional experience practicing or teaching are required for the indicated level of recognition:
- Demonstrated Logistician (DL): Eligibility (experience) - No degree 3 years , Associate degree 2 years, Bachelors degree 1 year, Masters degree 0.5 year, and Doctorate degree 0.5 year.
- Demonstrated Senior Logistician (DSL): Eligibility (experience) - No degree 5 years , Associate degree 4 years, Bachelors degree 2 years, Masters degree 1 year, and Doctorate degree 1 year.
- Demonstrated Master Logistician (DML): Eligibility (experience) - No degree 7 years , Associate degree 6 years, Bachelors degree 3 years, Masters degree 2 year, and Doctorate degree 2 year.
- There are three areas of continuing education required for the designations: formal education, functional training, and enabler training.
LAST UPDATED ON Sep 1, 2018