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Best contracting officer certifications
The best certifications for a contracting officer are Certified Professional Contracts Manager (CPCM), Certification for Contracting Officer's Representatives Level I (FAC-COR), and Certified Federal Contracts Manager (CFCM).
Contracting officer certifications demonstrate your competency as a contracting officer to employers. However, not all contracting officer certifications provide the same value.
Below is a list of the best contracting officer certifications. Obtaining a contracting officer certification will give you a leg up when you apply for jobs and increase your potential salary.
7 best certifications for contracting officers
7 best contracting officer certifications
1. Certified Professional Contracts Manager (CPCM)
A certified professional contracts manager (CPCM) shows that you are knowledgeable about all facets of contracts management, both within the government and the commercial arenas.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 5 year(s)
2. Certification for Contracting Officer's Representatives Level I (FAC-COR)
The Federal Acquisition Certification for Contracting Officer's Representatives (FAC-COR) program is for acquisition professionals in the Federal Government performing contract management activities and functions. Contracting Officer's Representatives (CORs) play a critical role in ensuring that contractors meet the commitment of their contracts. They ensure proper development of requirements and assist Contracting Officers in managing their contracts.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)
3. Certified Federal Contracts Manager (CFCM)
Eligibility for the CFCM requires a candidate to have: * A degree from a regionally accredited institution at the bachelor's level, with 24 hours of course work in business management topics, * Two years of experience, and 120 hours of continuing professional education, at least 40 of which are specific to federal contracts management topics. * Waivers of the degree requirement are available for those candidates who have ten years of experience and a letter from a supervisor supporting their candidacy. * Candidates lacking only the experiential and continuing education requirements may apply for the designation and take the examinations. Upon successful completion of the examinations, the candidate will be awarded the designation ONLY when both experiential and continuing education requirements are met.To earn the CFCM, a candidate must take and pass two examinations; the Business Knowledge and Federal Knowledge modules.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 5 year(s)
4. Federal Acquisition Certification - Contracting Officer's Representatives Level I (FAC-COR)
The Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting (FAC-C) Program is for contracting professionals in the Federal Government performing contracting and procurement activities and functions. The purpose of this program is to establish general education, training, and experience requirements for those contracting professionals. The FAC-C applies to all executive agencies, except the Department of Defense (DoD).
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)
5. Project Management Professional (PMP)
The PMP designation following your name tells current and potential employers that you have demonstrated a solid foundation of knowledge from which you can competently practice project management.To be eligible for a PMP Credential, you must first meet specific educational and project management experience requirements and agree to adhere to a code of professional conduct. The final step to becoming a PMP is passing a rigorous multiple-choice examination designed to objectively assess and measure your ability to apply project management knowledge in the following six domains: initiating the project, planning the project, executing the project, monitoring and controlling the project, closing the project, and professional and social responsibility. This computer-based examination is administered globally with translation aids in 10 languages.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 3 year(s)
6. Program Management Professional (PgMP)
Project Management Institute's newest credential is specifically developed to acknowledge the qualifications of the professional who leads the coordinated management of multiple projects and ensures the ultimate success of a program. You will benefit from the many advantages of this new designation. Candidates earning this credential will be internationally recognized as professionals with the knowledge and experience to make and implement the important decisions and accomplish the strategic objectives that enhance business results.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 3 year(s)
7. Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
The Certified Information Security Manager® (CISM®) certification program is developed specifically for experienced information security managers and those who have information security management responsibilities. The CISM certification is for the individual who manages, designs, oversees and/or assesses an enterprise's information security (IS). The CISM certification promotes international practices and provides executive management with assurance that those earning the designation have the required experience and knowledge to provide effective security management and consulting services. Individuals earning the CISM certification become part of an elite peer network, attaining a one-of-a-kind credential. The CISM job practice also defines a global job description for the information security manager and a method to measure existing staff or compare prospective new hires.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 1 year(s)
What is the best certification for a contracting officer?
The best contracting officer certification is Certified Professional Contracts Manager (CPCM). The Certified Professional Contracts Manager (CPCM) is awarded by the National Contract Management Association. The advanced certification is for more experienced employees as it often requires some work experience to acquire.
Here's a bit more background on how to obtain this contracting officer certification:
- To become a certified Certified Professional Contracts Manager (CPCM), you need to pass the exam.
- This certificate requires more than two years of work experience.
- Renew certification every 5 year.
What are some of the most in-demand certifications for contracting officers?
The most in-demand contracting officer certification is Certified Professional Contracts Manager based on all active job postings. Having this contracting officer certification will give you access to more contracting officer jobs with higher salaries.
What certifications can impact a contracting officer career and salary?
The Certified Professional Contracts Manager certification will help you to secure a contracts specialist position, which will increase your pay and career trajectory. A contracts specialist's average salary is $74,785 whereas contracting officers make an average salary of $60,007.
The most common combination of contracting officer certifications include: Certified Professional Contracts Manager (CPCM), Certification for Contracting Officer's Representatives Level I (FAC-COR), and Certified Federal Contracts Manager (CFCM).
Online courses for contracting officers to earn certifications
1. American Contract Law II
Course description: Contracts I & II provides a comprehensive overview of contract law in the United States. The course covers most of the key concepts found in a first year law school class. Each lecture is based on one or more common-law cases, integrating legal doctrines with policy discussions. The course also covers key sections from the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC), which governs the sale of goods. By the end of the course, the learner should be able to understand: Formation defenses:...
2. Learn Federal Government Contracting From An Expert
A comprehensive guide to Register, Search Opportunities, GSA, Certifications, Accounting, Marketing& Bidding to the feds...
3. Contracts Management in Construction Projects
Contracts Management, Contract Administration, FIDIC, Bank Guarantees, Contracts, Letter Drafting, Quantity Surveying...
4. Introduction to Contract Management
Understand what is involved in the contract management process and put this knowledge to work with confidence...
5. Contract Management: Managing Contractual Risks
How to identify and deal with contract risks...
6. Learning Business Contracts for Beginners
An Introductory Guide to Drafting Winning Contracts, Negotiating Well, and Getting What You Want...
7. A Practical Approach to FIDIC Contracts
The interactive course is based on the FIDIC Approved Module 1 Workshop and introduces the FIDIC Suite of Contracts...
8. Complete Contract Management Bootcamp: Zero to Hero
Learn essential post-contract management principles and practices, and gain access to over 30 free MS tools...
9. The complete course on the Indian Contract Act, 1872
Law of Contract in India as under Indian Contract Act, 1872...
10. Law of Contracts in 60 Minutes: A Fast Track Course
A 60 minute fast track summary of the Law of Contracts, targeting all common law LL.B examinations!...
11. Wholesale Real Estate Contracts: Flip Houses Risk Free
Download A Full Package Of Strategically Developed Real Estate Contracts And Learn How To Leverage Them In Your Business...
12. Contracts, Delays and Claims with Primavera P6
Learn all about Contracts, Delays & Claims along with practical Delay Analysis using Primavera P6 software...
13. Learn Solidity: Programming Language for Smart Contracts
Best Solidity Tutorial Available Online to Build Blockchain Based Decentralized Application DApps on Ethereum Network...
14. Microservices Contract Testing with Pact
This Course explains Why/How to write contract tests for Testing Microservices using Pact Testing tool on Live Projects...
15. Project Management Master Class: Government Projects
Learn How To Win Big By Always Successfully Completing Government Projects Using Ninja Project Management Techniques...
16. Blockchain For Finance: Using Blockchain & Smart Contracts
Emerging Blockchain & Smart Contract Applications Are Impacting The Financial Industry Today! Get Smart on Blockchain...
17. The Fundamentals of end-to-end Supply Chain Management
Supply Chain Management - Level 1: Introducing all the Key Components of a Supply Chain...
18. Effective Legal Office Administration
Effective Legal Office Administration...
19. Microsoft Office 365 Administration
Microsoft Office 365 Administration...
20. English for Business and Law - Contract Law
An English language course for business and law...