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CMA (USA) · IMA

CMA USA eligibility & requirements.

Five requirements stand between you and the CMA designation — membership, education, the exam itself, experience, and ethics.

The five requirementsFAQs

The designation

The five requirements

Membership

Hold active membership in the IMA (Institute of Management Accountants) throughout your candidacy and beyond. See the [official IMA website](https://www.imanet.org/).

Education

A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, or an IMA-approved professional certification. The degree does not have to be in accounting, finance, or business.

Exam

Pass both Part 1 and Part 2 of the CMA exam. Vertex offers [CMA (USA) Part 1](/courses/cma1clp) and [CMA (USA) Part 2](/courses/cma2clp) exam preparation.

Experience

Complete two continuous years of professional experience in management accounting or financial management.

Ethics

Comply with the IMA Statement of Ethical Professional Practice.

Always confirm your own eligibility

IMA assesses education, experience, and professional certifications. Confirm the current rules on the [official IMA website](https://www.imanet.org/).

Education

Education requirement in detail

A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution satisfies this requirement — subject matter is flexible, though familiarity with finance and accounting concepts, plus comfort with quantitative material, will help with the exam itself.

Any subject

A bachelor's degree in any subject from an accredited institution satisfies the education requirement.

Start before you graduate

If you don't yet hold a qualifying degree, you can still begin — start the exam while completing your degree, then submit proof of your qualification within 7 years of passing.

Recognised qualifications

Recognised professional qualifications (such as certain CA or ACCA credentials) can also satisfy this requirement in place of a degree, depending on IMA's assessment.

Experience

Experience requirement in detail

Two continuous years of professional experience in management accounting or financial management — roles like budgeting, financial analysis, cost accounting, internal auditing, and forecasting typically qualify.

Flexible timing

This experience can be completed before you start the exam, while you're studying, or afterward — you have up to 7 years after passing both exam parts to fulfil it.

Validation

You'll need to submit a CMA Experience Requirement form to have your experience validated.

Order of operations

Membership, education, experience, and the exam itself can generally be pursued in whatever combination fits your circumstances — you don't have to complete them strictly in sequence, other than needing active IMA membership before you can register for the exam.

After certification

Keeping your certification active

Continuing Professional Education

Once certified, you must complete 30 hours of Continuing Professional Education (CPE) every year, at least 2 of which must be in ethics.

Annual renewal

You'll also pay an annual renewal fee to maintain active IMA membership and your CMA status.

Ongoing ethics

Ongoing compliance with the IMA Statement of Ethical Professional Practice is required — a violation can result in revocation of the CMA certificate and expulsion from IMA.

Mind the clock

Once you enter the CMA program (by paying the entrance fee), you have three years to pass both exam parts. If you don't complete both within that window, any part you did pass expires and you'll need to re-enter the program and pay the entrance fee again.

Questions

Frequently asked questions

Does my degree have to be in accounting or finance?

No — a bachelor's degree in any subject from an accredited institution satisfies the education requirement.

Can I start the CMA exam before I graduate?

Yes — many candidates begin while completing their degree, then submit proof of graduation within 7 years of passing both exam parts.

When does the 2-year experience requirement need to be completed?

Any time — before you start, during your studies, or within 7 years after passing both exam parts.

How long do I have to pass both exam parts?

Three years from the date you pay the CMA entrance fee and enter the program.

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