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NISCL-CSCL Maintenance

Maintaining Your NISCL-CSCL Designation: What You Need to Know

What's Required Each Year

You need to complete 30 CPD hours annually and you need to pass the CIPS Ethics Test. That's it.

Here's how those hours break down:

10 hours: Leadership Development

Up to 3 hours: Annual Ethics Assessment

  • Completed free through your My CIPS account under My Learning
  • Covers ESG, human rights, bribery, fraud, and corruption
  • This is the only activity that must be completed through CIPS

The remaining hours: Your Choice

  • Use your professional judgment when selecting activities of your choice. An activity must directly enhance your skills, knowledge, or capabilities as a supply chain professional.  Books, podcasts, industry research, courses, peer discussions, and more are all eligible
  • Use NISCL, CIPS, or any recognized external provider including, but not limited to, CPA, HRPA, CPHR, ICD

How Is This Different from Before?

The former system required 30 credits over three years. The new system requires 30 hours per year — but the actual workload is comparable or less. Here's why:

Under the old system, credits didn't reflect the real time you invested in your growth and learning. A book worth 17 hours of reading only earned 2 credits. Now, that same book earns you 17 hours. Learning is counted hour-for-hour, which means the new system is simpler and more fairly reflects the effort you're already putting in.

You also no longer need to track and report detailed activity logs each year.  You keep your own records. At the end of each cycle, you simply attest that you've completed your 30 hours.

The administrative nature of the previous structure was time consuming and cumbersome; we have now transitioned to a self-attestation and random audit process.    However, should you get selected for an audit – we will help you and guide you through the process and ensure you are positioned for success.  As part of your renewal process, you are asked to attest to completing both the CPD AND Ethics test requirements by April 30.  Didn’t get a chance to do that through your renewal?  You can do so by filling out this form: NISCL-CSCL / MCIPS CPD Requirement Attestation.

It’s this simple and straightforward.   As stated above, the only thing you MUST complete and pass is the ETHICS test through CIPS and ensure you do it every 12 months (the first time must be by April 30, 2026).

What About Hours You've Already Completed?

This year only:

Your previous CPD work is not lost. Here's how carry-over works (note: there will not be carry-over permitted in future years):

  • If your previous cycle ended in December 2025, March 2026, December 2026, or December 2027 — any CPD hours accumulated up to April 30, 2025 count toward the current cycle ending April 30, 2026
  • Just keep a personal record of what you've completed

Tracking Your Hours There's no required format for tracking your CPD hours — use whatever method works best for you. To make it easier, we've provided an Excel tracker you can download and use. Download the CPD Tracker

At the end of each cycle, you'll simply attest that you've completed your 30 hours. No detailed reporting required.

Here is an example of how you might fill out the tracker.  



The CIPS Annual Ethics Test: What It Is and How to Complete It

The CIPS Ethics test is a required annual activity for all NISCL-CSCL designation holders and MCIPS Chartered members. It's not just a compliance checkbox — it's a meaningful, focused learning experience that keeps your ethical knowledge current and publicly demonstrates your professional commitment.

What it covers:

The assessment is an online, multiple-choice format supported by short interactive eLearning modules. Topics include ESG responsibilities, human rights, bribery, fraud, and corruption — all directly relevant to procurement and supply chain professionals.

Successful completion earns you a certificate of achievement and a digital badge.

How to access it:

Log in to your MyCIPS account and find the Ethical Procurement and Supply 2026 module under My Learning. (Complete the learning and the Assessments or just the Assessments)
Not sure how to find it? Download our step-by-step access guide for instructions: Exploring_CIPS.pdf.


Common Questions

Can I use external training like a PMP or other certifications? Yes. You can fulfill your CPD through NISCL, CIPS, your employer, or other recognized institutions. External training absolutely counts.

Why did this change happen without more notice? The transition was driven by our partnership with CIPS, which required aligning processes across both organizations. Communications around these changes started in November of 2024.  We recognize that not everyone received or had time to review all the communications, and we're committed to making this information as clear and accessible as possible — including through pages like this one.

Where do I report my CPD hours? As part of your renewal process, you are asked to attest to completing both the CPD AND Ethics test requirements by April 30.  Didn’t get a chance to do that through your renewal?  You can do so by filling out this form: NISCL-CSCL / MCIPS CPD Requirement Attestation

How do I access the Ethics Test?  You access the Ethics training (should you choose to do it) and the Ethics test (a requirement) through the CIPS website.  We’ve created this step-by-step guide to help you access it: Exploring_CIPS.pdf.

Where can I find more information? Please refer to our CPD FAQ and CPD Policy for current information on the reporting process.

Need Help?
If you have questions or need support, we want to hear from you. Reach out to us at [email protected] — we're here to help you stay on track.

Download the CPD Policy

Read the CPD FAQ