CMA exam cost: what you pay and how to plan

The CMA cost has four parts: IMA membership, the entrance fee, an exam fee for each of the two parts, and your review course. Amounts change, so check the IMA for current fees. A retake costs extra, so passing first time is the cheapest route.

Key takeaways

  • Membership, which you hold while you study.
  • A review course, which ranges widely in price.
  • Take a diagnostic first and buy only what you need.
  • List membership, the entrance fee, two exam fees, your course, one retake buffer and any travel to the test centre.
  • A cheap course that leads to a retake can cost more than a better one that helps you pass first time.

What you pay the IMA

Membership, which you hold while you study.

An entrance fee when you register for the programme.

An exam fee for each part you sit.

What you pay for preparation

A review course, which ranges widely in price.

Books, practice questions and mock exams, if not bundled.

A retake fee if you need a second attempt.

Ways to keep the total down

Take a diagnostic first and buy only what you need.

Choose an access period that matches your plan.

Ask your employer about sponsorship or reimbursement.

A budgeting worksheet

List membership, the entrance fee, two exam fees, your course, one retake buffer and any travel to the test centre.

Value versus price

A cheap course that leads to a retake can cost more than a better one that helps you pass first time.

Exam facts at a glance

CMA (US) (Certified Management Accountant), overseen by IMA. 2: Exam parts. 4 hrs: Per part: 100 MCQs + 2 essays. 360: Passing score (0–500 scale). 3 yrs: To complete both parts from your first.

Part 1, Financial Planning, Performance and Analytics: Budgeting, performance management, cost management and controls. Main topics: External financial reporting decisions, Planning, budgeting and forecasting, Performance management, Cost management, Internal controls, Technology and analytics.

Part 2, Strategic Financial Management: Corporate finance, investment decisions, risk and ethics. Main topics: Financial statement analysis, Corporate finance, Decision analysis and risk, Investment decisions, Professional ethics.

The path from eligibility to certification

CMA (US): 1. Join IMA. IMA membership is part of registration. 2. Check entrance requirements. A bachelor’s degree, plus two years of relevant experience (before or within a window after passing). 3. Register and pay fees. Register for the exam through the IMA. 4. Book at Prometric. Schedule each part at a test centre near you. 5. Pass both parts. Within three years of passing your first part. 6. Complete the experience requirement. Then apply for your CMA certification.

Who it suits: Management accountants and cost accountants; FP&A, MIS and controllership professionals; Chartered and cost accountants adding a global credential; Finance graduates aiming for business-partnering roles. Careers it opens: FP&A and business finance; Controller and finance manager; Cost and management accounting; Strategy and corporate finance; CFO track.

Key terms explained

CMA: Certified Management Accountant: the IMA credential for management accounting, planning and financial strategy. The exam has two parts and the passing score is 360 out of 500.

IMA: The Institute of Management Accountants: the US body that grants the CMA and runs its entrance requirements and fees.

Budgeting: Turning plans into numbers: sales, production, costs and cash. A core CMA Part 1 topic.

Mock exam: A full-length practice exam under real conditions, used to estimate readiness and train time management.

More questions candidates ask

Which should I pick: CPA, CMA or EA? CPA suits audit, reporting and global accounting careers. CMA suits management accounting, FP&A and finance leadership. EA suits US tax and IRS representation, and is the quickest to complete. Our counsellors will map one to your background and goals for free.

Can I take these exams from outside the US? Yes. The CPA, CMA and EA exams are available at Prometric test centres in many countries, including India, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific. Eligibility and registration run through the relevant body: a US state board for CPA, IMA for CMA and the IRS for EA.

Do I need a commerce degree? It depends on the exam. CPA requires a degree plus accounting and business credit hours, which vary by state. CMA requires a bachelor’s degree plus experience. EA has no degree requirement. Book a free eligibility check and we will tell you exactly where you stand.

What are the passing scores? CPA: 75 on a 0–99 scale. CMA: 360 on a 0–500 scale. EA: 105 on a 40–130 scale. All are scaled scores, not percentages.

How HiPrep can help

HiPrep is an exam-prep provider for the CPA (US), CMA (US) and Enrolled Agent exams. Every answer is built step by step, cell by cell, so you see how a result is reached and not only what it is. Explanations are available in English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu and Kannada, and a mentor is behind the platform for doubts.

You get a Prometric-style simulator with tutor and exam modes, full-length mock exams with a scaled-score estimate and topic breakdown, layered books, one-page revision notes built from your mistakes, flashcards, an AI tutor that hints before it tells, and a study plan that adapts to your exam date and weekly hours.

Start with the free diagnostic: 45 minutes and a topic-by-topic report that shows where you stand before you spend anything.

Frequently asked questions

Are the CMA fees refundable?

Rules depend on the IMA and the test provider. Read the policies before you pay.

Does my employer pay?

Many employers support professional credentials. Ask before you register.

Sources and official references

About the author

Haresh Ratnagrahi, Founder, HiPrep (CPA, FCA, CMA (US), CISA, CRISC). Haresh has spent 30+ years in corporate finance, M&A and teaching, including as a professor at Sydenham College of Commerce and as founder of the Finance & Accounts Learning Academy at EXL, where he trained more than 6,000 employees. He founded HiPrep to give CPA, CMA and EA candidates clear teaching, a real exam simulator and mentoring.

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