A CMA certification can catapult you to greater career opportunities and earning potential. But it is important to have a clear understanding of the investment it will require to become a Certified Management Accountant. These costs include an Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) membership, the CMA Program enrollment fee, exam registration fees, and the value of recommended prep materials.
Here is a breakdown of costs to get you to exam day:
| CMA Exam Costs | ||
|---|---|---|
| Professionals | Academics/Students | |
| IMA Membership | $295 | $160/$49 |
| CMA Program Enrollment | $300 | $225 |
| CMA Exam Registration | $990 ($495 per part) | $740 ($370 per part) |
| CMA Exam Review Course | $1,119 - $1,799 | $1,119 - $1,799 |
| Total | $2,704 - $3,384 | $2,133 - $2,813 |
Once you fulfill your membership, exam, education, and professional experience requirements, there are additional costs associated with maintaining your credential and experiencing the complete benefits of becoming a CMA.
All CMAs must complete annual continuing professional education credits. IMA offers free and discounted courses to meet this requirement, but there are also pricier options that may align better with your career goals for consideration.
| CMA Certification Maintenance Costs | ||
|---|---|---|
| Continuing Professional Education (CPE) | Up to $1,200 (depending on courses selected) | |
| IMA Membership Annual Renewal | $30 | |
Read more about the costs associated with earning and maintaining your CMA credential in 2025 below.
Costs Associated with a CMA
IMA Membership Fees
The first step to becoming a CMA is to obtain IMA membership. Institute of Management Accountants is the regulating body for the CMA certification and has over 140,000 members globally. IMA provides networking opportunities for CMAs and offers valuable resources to prepare for the exam, as well as partners with trusted review providers to advance the management accounting profession.
IMA offers student, educator, and professional membership options that vary in cost. Student memberships are the most price effective, incentivizing accounting and finance students to embark on their CMA exam journeys while pursuing undergraduate degrees.
CMA Program Enrollment Fee
Based on the IMA membership type obtained, you’ll have to pay an enrollment fee for the CMA Program. It’s a 1-time payment that gives you 3 years to pass both parts of the CMA exam and a total of 7 years to meet all CMA criteria.
CMA Exam Registration Fee
The CMA exam is made of 2 parts, meaning you will have to register for 2 separate exams and make 2 appointments with Prometric. You may take Part 2 before Part 1 depending on the topic areas you feel you are strongest in. Exam registration fees also vary based on your IMA membership type.
The CMA exam is challenging because it covers aspects of management accounting and financial management across industries, as well as risk management, cost accounting, and other key topics. This exam has a 45-50% pass rate, so it is important to prepare with the right review course for you.
For exam retakes, you must pay the full amount. If you need to reschedule or cancel your exam appointment, there is a $50 fee due to Prometric, the global testing partner for the CMA exam.
CMA Exam Prep
Because the CMA exam pass rate is low, it is important to invest in the tools that will help you earn your best possible score. Review courses are a large part of a successful CMA certification journey — you must find the option that suits your learning style, budget, and timeline to exam day. Choosing the best materials can cost you anywhere from $1,119 to $1,799.
Certification Maintenance
You'll be certified as a CMA after successfully passing the CMA exam, satisfying the education and experience requirements, and abiding by the IMA ethics standards. You must fulfill the IMA's continuing education requirements to keep your CMA certification active. Many of these courses are free, but others have fees.
If you choose to complete CPE courses with costs associated, you can expect to pay up to $1,200 annually. You’ll also have to pay $30 per year as a renewal fee for IMA membership.
How to Save on CMA Exam Costs
There are a number of ways you can save money along the CMA journey.
