CMA (Certified Management Accountant) Requirements & Prerequisites
Everything you need to know before registering for the CMA (Certified Management Accountant), eligibility, cost, format, and what to expect on exam day.
Cost
$1,000-$1,500
Provider
IMA
Validity
Ongoing (30 CPE/year)
Available
Global
Education
Check official exam requirements
Experience
1-3 years of hands-on experience recommended
Specific Requirements
- Active IMA membership. Only active members may purchase the entrance fee or sit a CMA exam, and membership must stay active to retain the certification afterwards.
- Purchase of the CMA entrance fee, currently $300 for the English-language program, which registers you as an active candidate and is valid for three years.
- A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, in any field, verified by a transcript emailed directly from the institution to ICMA in English and PDF format with your IMA membership number.
- Alternatively, an approved professional certification, verified by an official letter emailed directly from the certifying organisation.
- Degrees from institutions that are not on an accredited listing must be evaluated by an independent agency, with listings maintained by AICE and NACES.
- Two continuous years of professional experience in management accounting or financial management. Continuous part-time work of 20 hours a week counts at one year of credit for every two years worked.
- Education and experience can be completed before the exams, while you are taking them, or within seven years of completing them.
- There is no prerequisite ordering between the two exam parts. You may sit Part 1 or Part 2 first.
Number of Questions
100 multiple-choice questions plus 2 case-based questions in each of Part 1 and Part 2. A small number of the multiple-choice questions are unscored items being validated for future use.
Duration
4 hours per part, split into 3 hours for the multiple-choice section and 1 hour for the second section
Question Format
Multiple-choice questions across the published content specification outline, Case-based questions, each built on a scenario of roughly 250 words, Drag and drop items inside case-based questions, Fill in the blank items inside case-based questions, Select from a list items inside case-based questions, Calculation items inside case-based questions
Passing Requirement
360 on a scaled score range of 0 to 500, for each part separately. IMA also requires a candidate to answer at least 50 percent of the multiple-choice questions correctly before the second section is presented.
How It Is Delivered
Computer-based at Prometric test centers worldwide, in three testing windows a year during January and February, May and June, and September and October. ICMA requires all CMA exams to be taken at an official testing center and does not offer remote or online proctoring.
Languages Offered
English, Simplified Chinese, Japanese
Visit the official IMA certification page
Create an account and select your exam
Choose a test center or online proctoring option
Pay the exam fee and schedule your date
- Two forms of valid ID (one government-issued with photo)
- Appointment confirmation email
- For online proctoring: webcam, microphone, clean desk, stable internet
What are the prerequisites for the CMA (Certified Management Accountant)?
Active IMA membership. Only active members may purchase the entrance fee or sit a CMA exam, and membership must stay active to retain the certification afterwards.. Purchase of the CMA entrance fee, currently $300 for the English-language program, which registers you as an active candidate and is valid for three years.. A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, in any field, verified by a transcript emailed directly from the institution to ICMA in English and PDF format with your IMA membership number.. Alternatively, an approved professional certification, verified by an official letter emailed directly from the certifying organisation.. Degrees from institutions that are not on an accredited listing must be evaluated by an independent agency, with listings maintained by AICE and NACES.. Two continuous years of professional experience in management accounting or financial management. Continuous part-time work of 20 hours a week counts at one year of credit for every two years worked.. Education and experience can be completed before the exams, while you are taking them, or within seven years of completing them.. There is no prerequisite ordering between the two exam parts. You may sit Part 1 or Part 2 first..
How much does the CMA (Certified Management Accountant) cost?
The CMA (Certified Management Accountant) exam costs $1,000-$1,500. This includes the exam fee only, study materials are additional.
How do I register for the CMA (Certified Management Accountant)?
Visit the official IMA certification page → Create an account and select your exam → Choose a test center or online proctoring option → Pay the exam fee and schedule your date
What should I bring to the CMA (Certified Management Accountant)?
Two forms of valid ID (one government-issued with photo). Appointment confirmation email. For online proctoring: webcam, microphone, clean desk, stable internet.
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