What the CMA costs in 2026
Last checked October 21, 2026 · Sources: IMA’s CMA getting-started page (all program fees); course prices from providers’ own pages, including Becker’s September 2026 price list, or as widely reported. Totals are our arithmetic.
IMA’s fees alone come to $1,685 for a working professional and $1,088 for a student, before you buy a review course or retake anything. Here is every fee, and where the money actually goes.
The IMA fees
Every fee is paid to IMA. Your membership type sets all the others, so it is worth checking whether you qualify for student or academic rates before you join.
| Fee | Professional | Student | Academic | When |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IMA membership | $295 a year | $49 | $160 | Before anything else, then yearly |
| CMA entrance fee | $300 | $225 | $225 | Once; starts your three-year clock |
| Exam, Part 1 | $545 | $407 | $407 | Each time you register |
| Exam, Part 2 | $545 | $407 | $407 | Each time you register |
| Total, first attempt | $1,685 | $1,088 | $1,199 | Both parts, first try |
| Annual maintenance | $30 | $30 | $30 | Every year once certified |
IMA’s published CMA program fees, checked October 21, 2026. Totals are our arithmetic.
Student rates generally require that you are enrolled for at least six credit hours. Academic rates are for full-time faculty.
The review course
This is the biggest single cost after IMA’s fees, and the most variable. Full two-part courses from the major providers list between $1,299 and $1,799, with premium tiers running higher, and all of them discount regularly. HOCK sells a monthly membership instead, so its cost depends on how long you study.
Three realistic totals
| Scenario | IMA fees | Review course | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student, budget course, passes first time | $1,088 | ~$1,000 | ~$2,100 |
| Professional, mid-price course, passes first time | $1,685 | ~$1,500 | ~$3,200 |
| Professional, premium course, retakes one part | $2,230 | ~$1,800 | ~$4,000 |
Illustrative totals using IMA’s current fees and published list prices, October 2026. Course prices are rounded; discounts usually bring them down.
Costs people forget
- Retakes cost full price. There is no discount for a second attempt, so each failed part costs another $545, or $407 for students.
- Membership renews every year. If it lapses, you cannot schedule an exam, even one you have already paid for.
- Missing your window costs a registration. If you cannot book or sit within your window, you generally pay to register again or pay a transfer fee to move to the next one.
- The entrance fee can come back. If you do not pass both parts within three years, you pay it again.
Ways to pay less
If you qualify, student status cuts IMA fees by roughly $600 across the whole program.
Several review providers have IMA partnerships that take 25 to 30% off membership and the entrance fee when you buy their course. Check before you join IMA directly.
Some finance teams cover CMA fees as professional development. Ask before you pay, not after.
Common questions
Are CMA fees refundable?
No. IMA’s exam registration and entrance fees are non-refundable.
Is a retake cheaper?
No. A retake costs the same as a first attempt. You do not pay the entrance fee again, as long as you are still inside your three-year window.
Do I have to pay for both parts at once?
No. You register and pay for each part separately, whenever you are ready to sit it.
How much does the CMA exam cost in total?
$1,685 for professionals and $1,088 for students, according to IMA’s fees. Academics pay $160 for membership instead of $49, so their total is $1,199.
What's the cheapest way to get the CMA?
Usually a review course bought through an IMA fee partnership, student rates if you qualify, and passing each part first time. HOCK’s monthly membership ($119.99 a month) can be cheapest if you finish within a few months.