Trying to figure out how to register for the CMA exam but don’t know where to start?
This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about registering and preparing for the Certified Management Accountant (CMA) exam in 8 simple steps.
Let’s have a look!
Contents
- 1 CMA Exam Eligibility Requirements
- 2 How to Register for the CMA Exam in 8 Steps
- 2.1 Step 1: Check Your CMA Certification Eligibility
- 2.2 Step 2: Join the IMA
- 2.3 Step 3: Enroll in a CMA Prep Course
- 2.4 Step 4: Start using your CMA study materials
- 2.5 Step 5: Pay the CMA exam entrance and registration fees
- 2.6 Step 6: Get your Authorization Number
- 2.7 Step 7: Schedule your CMA exam
- 2.8 Step 8: Read the CMA Handbook
- 3 Other CMA exam information and FAQs
- 4 Bottom Line
CMA Exam Eligibility Requirements
To sit for the CMA exam, you first must make sure you’ll be able to meet the eligibility requirements for the CMA licensure. Here are the major CMA eligibility requirements you should keep in mind:
- You must be an active IMA member (Professional, academic, or student member)
- Hold a bachelor’s degree* or higher from an approved college/university or a corresponding professional certification
- Follow the IMA’s Ethical Professional Practice Statement
- Have at least two years* of continuous professional experience in financial management or management accounting
*Note: Many candidates apply for the CMA exam after they’ve completed the educational and work experience requirements. However, you have up to 7 years after completing the CMA exam to complete these requirements.
How to Register for the CMA Exam in 8 Steps
Interested in the Certified Management Accountant (CMA) designation? This guide will walk you through each step of the CMA registration process so you’ll be fully prepared to pass the CMA exam on your first try.
Step 1: Check Your CMA Certification Eligibility
Aside from passing the CMA exam, the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) mandates that an individual must have a bachelor’s degree and 2 years of professional work experience before becoming a CMA.
Your education and work experience requirements must be met within 7 years of passing the CMA exam. If you can’t meet those deadlines, you may want to wait until you’re ready.
Step 2: Join the IMA
IMA membership is necessary to sit for the Certified Management Accountant (CMA) exam.
IMA memberships come with several benefits, including access to special member pricing, discounts on education and training courses and events, CMA test and exam prep, and networking opportunities.
Depending on your chosen category, membership costs range from $45 to 275. You can join the IMA once you’re ready to register for the CMA exams.
Step 3: Enroll in a CMA Prep Course
Find a CMA test prep course that fits your learning style and budget.
CMA exam prep courses teach you everything you need to know to pass the exam and get your certification. You can choose on-site courses or enroll in an online CMA class.
CMA exam prep courses also include resources, like textbooks, video lectures, practice questions and other study aids that will help prepare you for the CMA test.
Step 4: Start using your CMA study materials
You’ll want to start preparing for the CMA exam as soon as you can. The Institute of Certified Management Accountants recommends studying at least two months before your exam date.
With many CMA courses now offering unlimited access, you can start using your course before you register for the CMA exam.
Your CMA test prep study materials may have a study planner integrated with the course content. If so, plan out a consistent study schedule that avoids major cram sessions, and make sure to perform periodic knowledge checks along the way. It’s easy to forget earlier topics once you get 4-6 weeks into your study schedule.
Also, don’t be afraid to consider other study resources if you need some extra help grasping concepts.
Step 5: Pay the CMA exam entrance and registration fees
The CMA exam is not cheap, so wait to register until you’re a few weeks into studying and are confident to move forward with the exam.
But how much is the CMA test?
Professional members will need to pay a nonrefundable entrance fee of $280 and an exam fee of $460 for each part.
Academic and student members pay a bit less. Their CMA entrance fee would be a nonrefundable $210, and the exam fee is $345 for each part.
Step 6: Get your Authorization Number
You’ll need an authorization number to appear for the CMA exam, which you’ll get after registering for the exams.
Once registered, you’ll receive an email with instructions on how and where to schedule your exam at a Prometric Testing Center near you.
Step 7: Schedule your CMA exam
The CMA exam takes place six months out of the year, as follows:
- January / February
- May / June
- September / October
You need to schedule your exam at least one month in advance, and registrations close after the 15th of February, June and October. For the most flexibility, plan to schedule your exam at least 1 month before the start of the testing window.
Step 8: Read the CMA Handbook
Exam day can be intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. Once you read the CMA Handbook, you’ll know what to expect, what you’ll need to bring, and everything else to make your CMA test experience go smoothly.
Here are a few quick tips to remember for exam day:
- You must arrive at the Prometric Testing Center at least 30 minutes before your appointment time.
- You should not bring anything into the testing room except your ID and your approved calculator. No phones or books are allowed.
- Your photo identification must exactly the name that appears on your application form.
Other CMA exam information and FAQs
There are so many CMA exam details to consider while preparing for the CMA test. We’ve put together some of the best FAQs and answers below on how to get the CMA certification and study for the CMA exam.
There are specific requirements to be eligible for the CMA exams. Currently, only an IMA member can sit for the exam.
To become a licensed CMA, you also need to have a bachelor’s degree or qualifying professional certification, along with two years of professional experience in management accounting or financial management.
Candidates can now take the CMA exam online or in person at a Prometric Test Center (see Remote Proctoring FAQs).
There are Prometric Test Centers in the United States and worldwide in compliance with local customs. To find a test center, go to www.prometric.com/ICMA.
Exams are administered during the following testing windows each year:
-January and February
-May and June
-September and October
To schedule your exams, go to www.prometric.com/ICMA or call (800) 479-6370. Aim to schedule your appointment at least four weeks in advance to be assured of your first choice of date, time, and location.
Exam appointments can be rescheduled for another time in the same testing window up to 72 hours before your exam date. If you need to cancel or reschedule less than 72 hours before your exam date, you’ll forfeit your registration AND exam fees (ouch!).
You cannot reschedule appointments to a different testing window.
To apply, go to imanet.org/cma-certification. You must pay the CMA entrance charge as well as the IMA membership fee. The application procedure takes approximately 10 minutes.
From there, register for the CMA exam. You can register for Parts 1 and 2 in any sequence or both at the same time.
Be prepared to submit your college transcript and work experience as part of the certification requirements. You can do this before or after the exam, but it is required in order to become certified.
The CMA pass rate varies by geographic region, however it averages around 50% on both parts 1 and 2.
Exam extensions aren’t permitted. You must take the exam during the test window for which you have registered.
The Entrance Fee for the CMA exam is non-refundable.
However, the exam fee is refundable within 30 days of payment if you haven’t made an appointment with Prometric by then. A processing fee of $25 will be charged for the refund. The IMA doesn’t allow exam postponements so you must sit for the exam in the testing window for which you paid the registration fee.
Work/life balance is a concern for many candidates. The CMA test requires a significant time commitment (up to 150-170 hours per part) and must be carefully managed around other obligations.
Consider which part(s) of the year you’d prefer to study and sit for the exam. From there, make a realistic study plan in advance and discuss your time commitments with family / friends / coworkers so they know what to expect.
Don’t put things off. Those who wait until the last minute to book an exam may encounter scheduling difficulties. Testing windows are frequently missed, so we recommend booking exams at least one month in advance.
Bottom Line
I hope this guide equipped you with all you need to know to register for the CMA exam and answered your questions.
Once you finish your registration, it’s time to focus on passing the exam on your first try!
