Frequently Asked Questions

Where do I get textbooks for my APICS class?

Textbooks for any APICS course are distributed the first night of class.

Textbooks and/or participant guides may be optionally purchased during the online registration process. These materials are required for each class, but may be acquired through other sources at the student's discretion.

When are classes offered?

Typically an APICS course is offered one night a week. The night a class is offered may change each term. On rare occasions, a class may be offered on a Saturday or more than once a week, depending upon need.

The Portland Chapter tries to offer each APICS course at least once a year, during typical university terms (fall, winter, spring). The schedule will be dependent upon demand and will be changed throughout the year. We strongly recommend regularly checking the schedule for changes. Also, contacting the Director of Education to demonstrate interest in a class may help determine if additional classes may be offered.

What types of education classes does the Portland Chapter offer?

The Portland Chapter offers several series of comprehensive classes.

CPIM Certification Review courses consist of a five-course sequence that covers the materials and information tested in the certification tests for the “Certified in Production and Inventory Management (CPIM)."

CIRM Certification Review courses, like the CPIM courses, cover the materials and information for the “Certified in Integrated Resource Management (CIRM)" certification tests. Both of these are designed to assist the student in passing the examinations.

The APICS Lean Manufacturing Workshops give a firm foundation in the principles of Lean Manufacturing.

We offer a series of classes in "Fundamentals of Material and Operations Management” that is designed to provide a basis of understanding about the principles involved in materials and operations management, but is not a certification series.

In addition, we offer these courses on a “on-site” basis by contract with companies requesting this style of education.

What is the difference between CPIM, CIRM and Fundamentals?

CPIM provides a common basis for individuals and organizations to evaluate their knowledge of the evolving field of production and inventory management. The program has helped individuals and their organizations become more productive and competitive because it is designed to test candidates’ in-depth knowledge of a variety of subjects specific to production and inventory management. Introduced in 1973 and reconfigured in 2000, CPIM continues to live up to its mission of educating individuals in the concepts, tools, terminology, and integration of topics across operations functions. More Info

CIRM (Certified in Integrated Resource Management) education integrates your understanding of organizational resources such as information technology, materials, human resources, production and supporting equipment, facilities, and capital to meet the goals of your organization. In other words, you will gain an understanding of all the functions within your company, as opposed to just Production and Inventory management. This certification is designed for individuals, who normally have the CPIM certification, but desires a higher level of understanding and certification. More Info

Fundamentals - The four-module format of the Fundamentals course teaches basic concepts, techniques, and terminology of materials and operations management. It is designed to teach technique rather than prepare for certification. More Info

Do I have to be a member of APICS to take these classes?

No – All classes are open to anyone who desires to take them. However, we do charge more for non-members than members.

Is there a specific order that the classes need to be taken?

Yes – Each five course series has a “beginning” and an “ending” class. The CPIM series begins with “Basics of Supply Chain Management" (BSCM) and ends with “Strategic Management of Resources" (SMR) The other three course should be taken in order, to make sense, but it is not required. The CIRM series begins with “Enterprise Concepts and Fundamentals" (ECF) and ends with “Integrated Enterprise Management" (IEM). The other three courses can be taken in any sequence.

Where and when are the classes offered?

Refer to our “class schedule” on the appropriate Education section of our website.

What if I have a specific question that isn’t answered here?

Contact the chapter Director of Education.