Management Entry Route (MER) FAQs
Frequently asked questions about Management Entry Route (MER)
What is the Membership Entry Route (MER)?
The CIPS Membership Entry Route (MER) is an alternative pathway to MCIPS for experienced procurement and supply professionals. It allows senior practitioners to gain professional membership based on their knowledge, experience, and strategic responsibilities, rather than completing the full CIPS qualification route.
Who is eligible for MER?
MER is designed for procurement and supply professionals who are operating in a senior strategic role and typically have at least five years of strategic-level experience in procurement or supply chain management. You can check if you are eligible by completing our Eligibility Tool
How do I apply through MER?
To apply for MER, you must first join CIPS as an Affiliate Member. You can then submit a MER application through your My CIPS account, complete the required competency assessment, and attend an interview with a CIPS assessor.
What evidence is required for MER?
Applicants are typically required to provide evidence of their professional experience and responsibilities through the following documents: Current CV, Official Job Description, Official Company Organisation Chart, and a Line Managers Letter (see template). Applicants must also complete the CIPS Ethics Test before applying.
Further details on the end-to-end process can be found in the CIPS MER Assessment Candidate Guide.
Can I get MCIPS without completing CIPS qualifications?
Yes. Experienced procurement and supply professionals may be able to achieve MCIPS through the Membership Entry Route (MER). MER assesses your professional experience, strategic responsibilities, and competence against CIPS membership standards.
How long does the MER process take?
The duration of the MER process varies for each candidate, and is largely dependent on their engagement throughout the process. Once all required documentation has been submitted, candidates will have 45 days to complete the competency assessment test. Once this is completed, candidates will have 28 days to complete their interview, and following their interview they will receive their outcome in 30 days. Most candidates complete the process in 2-6 months.
MER is not a formal qualification, it is an assessment based route to achieving the MCIPS membership grade.
Is MER a route to MCIPS?
Yes. MER is an alternative route to achieving MCIPS for eligible professionals who have significant procurement and supply experience and can demonstrate strategic-level competence.
What is the difference between MER and the CIPS qualification route?
The CIPS qualification route involves studying and completing CIPS qualifications to achieve MCIPS. MER is designed for experienced professionals who already possess the required knowledge and skills and can demonstrate them through assessment, evidence, and interview rather than formal study.
Can supply chain professionals apply for MER?
Yes. MER is open to experienced professionals working in procurement, supply chain, commercial, contract management, and related disciplines, provided they can demonstrate strategic-level responsibilities and relevant professional competence.
Who should choose MER instead of studying for MCIPS?
MER may be suitable for senior professionals who have extensive procurement or supply chain experience and want to gain MCIPS recognition without completing the full qualification pathway. It provides a way to have existing expertise assessed against CIPS professional standards.
What are the benefits of applying through MER?
MER enables experienced professionals to achieve globally recognised MCIPS status, demonstrate their expertise, enhance professional credibility, and gain recognition for the knowledge and skills they have developed throughout their careers.
Does MER require an interview?
Yes. As part of the assessment process, eligible applicants are required to participate in an interview with a CIPS assessor to demonstrate their experience, competence, and professional achievements in an online interview via Microsoft Teams. The interview will last 90-120 minutes and you can find out further information from the CIPS MER Assessment Candidate Guide.
What level of experience do I need for MER?
MER is intended for experienced professionals operating at a strategic level. Applicants should be able to demonstrate significant responsibility for procurement, supply chain, commercial, or related business activities and their impact on organisational performance.
Is MCIPS through MER the same as MCIPS through qualifications?
Yes. Successful applicants achieve the same MCIPS designation. The difference is the route taken to demonstrate competence, not the membership status awarded.
Can my current line manager sign the line manager’s letter if I have worked for the company for less than the required 5 years?
Yes, your current line manager is able to sign the line manager's letter for you, even if you have not been reporting to them for the required time. As a part of the due diligence checks and employment process when you were hired, your line manager would have been aware of your level of experience, and therefore we say that they would be able to confirm your level of experience within the letter.
Can I re-apply if my application is unsuccessful?
Yes, applicants can re-apply 6 months after they have been deemed unsuccessful.
What technology is required for the MER Assessments?
You should complete both assessments on a laptop/desktop computer, have a clear camera on your computer and a stable internet connection. Please note, the responsibility lies with you to ensure that your technology is reliable and appropriate to complete the online assessment and interview. Please refer to our Terms and Conditions or get in touch via pathways@cips.org
Are there any practice questions available/how should I prepare?
The MER assessments are based on the CIPS Global Standard and candidates are expected to demonstrate competence in all themes at the leading level. There are no practice questions available, however you can prepare by reviewing the CIPS Global Standard. Candidates are allowed to take notes into the interview, so we would advise preparing some examples from your career history that map across to the competencies for each theme within the global standard.
You can get further guidance on how to prepare for the online assessment and the interview by reading the CIPS MER Assessment Candidate Guide.
