Self-Assessment “Logistics Specialist with Federal Diploma of Higher Education (FPE), Professional Bachelor”: Is this program right for me?

What is a typical workday like for logistics professionals with a Federal Diploma of Higher Education?

Logistics specialists work as administrative staff or in entry-level management positions in retail, service, or industrial companies as team leaders, subject matter experts, or department heads. In these roles, they handle tasks related to production, procurement, distribution, waste management, and warehouse logistics. Depending on the size of the company, they are responsible for several logistics departments and are primarily in charge of operational tasks within those departments.

However, logistics specialists are also frequently called upon for internal optimization processes, as they are regarded as generalists within the logistics chain who, thanks to their theoretical and practical skills, develop logistics concepts in collaboration with their supervisors and implement them independently. They identify weaknesses and problems in the logistics process, devise solutions, and plan their implementation.

(Note: The frequency/weighting of individual job responsibilities may vary depending on the job description and the company.)

Target Audience and Skills: Who is the Federal Professional Examination for Logistics Specialists with a Federal Diploma of Higher Education suitable for? What qualities and skills are required?

The training program and Federal Professional Examination for “Logistics Specialist” are suitable for

• Employees with relevant professional experience in the fields of logistics, freight forwarding, warehousing, waste management, recycling, and production who wish to acquire comprehensive and in-depth knowledge of logistics processes and functions
• Ambitious professionals from the fields listed above who are seeking a management position in logistics

Logistics professionals should possess the following personal qualities and skills:

• Independence
• Organizational skills
• Communication skills

Requirements for admission to the Federal Professional Examination for Logistics Specialist with a Federal Diploma of Higher Education:

In order to be eligible to take the Federal Professional Examination for logistics specialists, you must, in accordance with the examination regulations, by the date of the examination or the examination registration deadline:

• Hold a Federal Diploma of Vocational Education and Training (EFZ), another degree from the upper-secondary level, or an equivalent qualification, and have at least 3 years of professional experience in one of the logistics fields (procurement, production, warehousing, distribution, waste management).

Or

• Hold a Federal VET Certificate (EBA) or equivalent credential and have at least 5 years of professional experience in the above-mentioned logistics fields since obtaining it

Or

• Have at least 8 years of professional experience in one of the logistics fields listed above

Or

• hold a Federal Diploma of Higher Education (FPE) in one of the following areas of logistics: procurement, production, warehousing, distribution, or waste management

You will be notified at least three months before the Federal Professional Examination begins whether you have been admitted to the examination; if your application is denied, you will receive a written notice explaining the reason for the denial.

Note: Some schools are willing to admit you to a preparatory course for the Federal Professional Examination to become a logistics specialist even if you do not meet the eligibility criteria for the Federal Professional Examination. It is your responsibility to ensure that you meet the necessary requirements at the time of the exam or when you register for it. At some schools, you can take the course even if you do not intend to take the exam (in this case, you will still receive a certificate issued by the school). Admission requirements vary by provider.

Subject matter and content of continuing education, further training

The curriculum for the preparatory courses for the Federal Professional Examination to become a Logistics Specialist with a Federal Diploma of Higher Education is based on the guidelines set by GS1, the responsible body for the federal examination.

The curriculum for teaching the skills required for the federal examination covers the following topics:

• Basic Knowledge of Logistics Processes
• Implementing Logistics Processes
• Supply Chain Management and Problem Solving
• Managing Employees and Leading Projects
• Understanding Logistics Processes
• Presenting and Communicating with Confidence

Costs and financing of continuing education, further training

The costs (excluding the external examination fee, which is set by the responsible body) are determined by the schools and may therefore vary. In general, the following costs should be expected for the part-time Logistics Specialist continuing education, further training program, which lasts 2–3 semesters depending on the provider:

• Course fees:CHF 9,700 – CHF 15,800. After the exam, you can apply to the federal government to receive a refund of up to 50% of this amount (regardless of your score).*
• External exam fee:The examination fee is set by the responsible body of the Federal Professional Examination and amounts to CHF 1,200 (as of August 2025). It is paid by the candidate after admission has been confirmed.
• Some providers charge extra for
  • Enrollment
  • Teaching materials and (software) licenses
  • Training documents
  • Internal examinations and examination training
  • Simulation test

Find out directly from the provider of your choice what additional costs you can expect.

*Since 1.1.2018, preparatory courses for Federal Professional Examination (FPE) and Advanced Federal Professional Examination (AFPE) have been financially supported by the federal government. Graduates of these courses will therefore be reimbursed up to 50% (max. CHF 9,500 for FPE, max. CHF 10,500 for AFPE) of the course costs paid upon application after taking the federal examinations. In exceptional cases of hardship, the federal contributions will also be paid out in advance.

Duration of study, number of lessons and learning effort

• The continuing education, further training program for logistics specialists has a modular structure and lasts 2–3 semesters, depending on the provider.
• The course consists of approximately 332 lessons, which can be taken in various time formats (daytime and evening classes) (e.g., one evening per week and Saturdays, or two evenings per week, or all day on Saturdays).
• Many schools offer a mix of face-to-face and online events (online, hybrid teaching, blended learning) as well as self-study. You can therefore choose the format that allows you to combine continuing education, further training with family, work and leisure in the best possible way.
• Thanks to the extra-occupational concept of continuing education, further training, you can apply and deepen your knowledge immediately in practice. Nevertheless, you should allow sufficient time for preparation and follow-up of the lessons and for self-study - how much depends on your prior knowledge, working style and learning speed. We recommend that you allow at least 4-6 hours per week as a precaution.

Note: Some schools offer what are known as “trial lessons.” Take advantage of this opportunity to get a feel for the classes and the learning environment. These are important factors in successfully completing the program. To schedule a trial lesson, it’s best to contact the school of your choice directly.

Degree, diploma and title

The Federal Professional Examination for Logistics Specialist with a Federal Diploma of Higher Education is held annually, provided that at least 10 candidates meet the admission requirements; otherwise, it is held every two years. The examination may be taken in German, French, or Italian.

Candidates will be notified at least 4 weeks before the exam begins. The notification will include the exam syllabus (with details on the location and time of the exam, as well as permitted aids) and the list of examiners.

The federal examination is structured as follows (exam sections, type of exam, and duration):

1. Process Management, Procurement Logistics, Materials Management, Production Logistics (written exam, 2 hours)
2. Standards & Systems, Warehouse Logistics, Distribution Logistics (written exam, 2 hours)
3. Waste Management Logistics, Occupational Safety (written exam, 2 hours)
4. Overall Logistics Processes and Occupational Safety (written exam, 2 hours)
5. Subproject and Team Leadership (oral, 1 hour)

The five-part Federal Professional Examination is based on professional practice. Candidates are asked various questions testing their knowledge and understanding. These include multiple-choice, single-choice, and matching questions, among others. Furthermore, candidates must analyze and describe their approach to various practical scenarios. In addition, the candidates’ analytical and conceptual skills, as well as their ability to put theory into practice, are assessed through a complex practical case study.

Diploma and title

Graduates of the Federal Professional Examination receive a Federal Diploma of Higher Education and are entitled to use the protected title “Logistics Specialist with Federal Diploma of Higher Education / Logistics Specialist with a Federal Diploma of Higher Education” and the optional additional English title “Professional Bachelor.”

In French: “Spécialiste en logistique avec brevet fédéral,” Professional Bachelor’s Degree

In Italian: “Specialista in logistica con attestato professionale federale,” Professional Bachelor’s Degree

In English (Note: This is only a recommendation; it is not a protected title) “Logistics Specialist, Professional Bachelor”