How to register for the CMA exam
Last checked October 21, 2026 · Sources: IMA’s CMA getting-started page (fees, testing windows, registration deadlines) and CMA Handbook; Prometric’s CMA scheduling page. IMA hadn’t published 2027 window dates when we checked.
To register for the CMA exam, you use two places: IMA for membership, enrollment and exam registration, then Prometric for your appointment. The order matters, because paying the entrance fee starts a three-year clock to pass both parts. Registration for the September/October 2026 window closed on October 15, so the next chance is January/February 2027; IMA’s deadline is the 15th of each window’s final month.
Step by step
Create an account on imanet.org and choose your membership type. Student and academic rates are much cheaper if you qualify, and they lower every fee that follows.
Pay the CMA entrance fee: $300, or $225 for students. This enrols you as a candidate and starts the three-year window to pass both parts.
Choose Part 1 or Part 2 and a testing window, then pay the exam fee: $545, or $407 for students. Registration for each window closes around two weeks before it ends.
Once IMA processes your registration, you can book an appointment through Prometric's CMA scheduling page. Book at least four weeks ahead.
Send official or notarized transcripts electronically to IMA. You can do this at any point, including after the exam.
Once you have two continuous years of qualifying experience, submit it for verification. It can come before or after the exam, within seven years of passing.
What you’ll pay IMA
| Fee | Professional | Student | Academic |
|---|---|---|---|
| IMA membership (yearly) | $295 | $49 | $160 |
| CMA entrance fee (once) | $300 | $225 | $225 |
| Exam fee, per part | $545 | $407 | $407 |
| Total for both parts | $1,685 | $1,088 | $1,199 |
| Annual maintenance, once certified | $30 | $30 | $30 |
From IMA’s getting-started page, checked October 21, 2026. Totals are our arithmetic for both parts, first attempt.
Testing windows and registration deadlines
| Window | Testing dates | Last day to register |
|---|---|---|
| January/February | January 1 to February 28 | February 15 (2026) |
| May/June | May 1 to June 30 | June 15 (2026) |
| September/October | September and October | October 15 (2026), now closed |
IMA’s 2026 windows from its getting-started page. The registration deadline has been the 15th of each window’s final month; confirm 2027 dates on IMA once published.
When to start
Join IMA when you start studying, but think before paying the entrance fee: that is what starts your three-year clock. Most candidates enrol and register once they have a couple of months of study behind them and a target window in mind.
Common questions about registering for the CMA exam
Do I need my degree and experience before I register?
No. You can sit the exam first and submit both afterwards. You are not certified until they are verified.
Does my IMA membership have to stay active?
Yes. Lapsed membership blocks scheduling, even for an exam you have already paid for.
Is it too late to register for this window?
Registration for the September/October 2026 window closed on October 15. The next window is January/February 2027; IMA’s deadline has been the 15th of the window’s final month, so plan to register by mid-February at the latest, and confirm the date on IMA’s site.
Can I practice the test-center experience?
Yes. Prometric offers a paid 30-minute “test drive” that walks you through check-in and the testing experience before your real exam.