(Tempe, Ariz.) - The Institute for Supply Management(tm) (ISM) has announced a change to one of two professional designations available to eligible candidates. After February 28, 2005, ISM will no longer accept new exam registrations for the Accredited Purchasing Practitioner (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 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 at
<http://www.ism.ws/Certification/APPChangeFAQs.cfm> www.ism.ws/Certification/APPChangeFAQs.cfm. Contact ISM Certification at <mailto:certification@ism.ws> certification@ism.ws or 800/888-6276,
extension 3027.

As the oldest and largest supply management institute in the world, the mission of the Institute for Supply Management(tm) (ISM) is to lead supply management. By executing and extending its mission through education, research, standards of excellence, influence building and information dissemination - including the renowned monthly ISM Report On Business(r) - ISM continues to extend the global impact of supply management. ISM's membership base includes more than 43,000 supply management professionals in 75 countries. Supply management professionals are responsible for trillions of dollars in the purchases of products and services annually. ISM is a member of the International Federation of Purchasing and Materials Management (IFPMM).