CSCP vs CPIM vs CLTD vs CTSC: Which APICS Certification Should You Choose?

ASCM's four APICS certifications share an exam format, 150 questions, 3.5 hours, 300 to pass, 75 maintenance points every five years, but they certify very different things. Choosing well comes down to one question: what do you want to be trusted to run?

The one line difference

• CSCP, the end to end credential. Strategy, sourcing, operations, logistics, relationships, risk and optimisation across the whole chain (8 modules).
• CPIM, the planning and inventory credential. S&OP, demand, internal and external supply, master scheduling, MRP, inventory, detailed schedules (9 modules in v9.0).
• CLTD, the logistics credential. Order management, warehousing, transportation, global logistics, network design, reverse logistics (9 modules).
• CTSC, the transformation credential. Diagnosing, preparing, executing and reviewing end to end change using SCOR DS and the Digital Capabilities Model (4 modules).

Side by side

• Best for leadership tracks: CSCP (breadth) and CTSC (change leadership)
• Best for planners and schedulers: CPIM
• Best for logistics and distribution operators: CLTD
• Bundle list price (member w/ upgrade / other): CSCP $2,620/$3,650 · CPIM $2,275/$3,175 · CLTD $1,980/$2,760 · CTSC $2,275/$3,175
• Median salaries (ASCM 2025 report): CLTD ~$114,500 · CSCP ~$100,000 · CPIM ~$100,000 · no credential ~$85,000
• Prerequisites: none stated for any of the four

Which to take first

Take the credential closest to your current role, it formalises what you already do and pays off fastest. Then broaden: many senior professionals hold CPIM or CLTD plus CSCP, and ASCM reports that professionals with three or more credentials earn up to 32% more. CTSC typically comes once you are leading change programs.

Or explore the full supply chain certification portfolio at Blue Ocean Academy.