How Long Does It Take to Become a CMA

How Long Does It Take to Become a CMA? Practical Timelines for Every Scenario

How Long Does It Take to Become a CMA? This is a common question for aspiring management accountants looking to enhance their careers through certification. The journey to becoming a Certified Management Accountant (CMA) depends on several factors, including your educational background, exam preparation time, and the experience you need to fulfill. For some, it can be as quick as one year, while for others, it may take up to four years or more.

In this blog, we’ll break down the steps involved in obtaining the CMA credential and provide a realistic timeline to help you plan your path to certification.

Overview of the CMA Certification Process

To become a CMA US, you need to:

1. Join the IMA (Institute of Management Accountants)
2. Pass both parts of the CMA Exam
3. Fulfill the two-year work experience requirement
4. Submit proof of work experience
5. Receive your CMA certification

Depending on your situation, each of these steps can take varying amounts of time, which we'll explore in detail below.

How Long Does It Take to Pass the CMA Exam?

Summary Timeline:

• Bachelor’s Degree (if not completed): 3–4 years (you can start the CMA in your final year)
• Preparing for and Passing Both CMA Exam Parts: 6–12 months
• Gaining Professional Experience: 2 years (if not already met)
• Total Time to Become a CMA: 1–4 years, depending on your specific circumstances

Exam Preparation Timeline

The CMA exam consists of  Part 1: Financial Planning, Performance, and Analytics and Part 2: Strategic Financial Management. The time it takes to prepare for each part depends on factors like your familiarity with the subject matter, study schedule, and dedication.

General Preparation Timelines:

• Full-Time Students or Full-Time Candidates: If you are studying full-time, you can typically prepare for each CMA exam part in 2 to 3 months.
• Working Professionals: Candidates who balance a full-time job and other responsibilities generally take 3 to 6 months to prepare for each part, studying 10 to 15 hours per week.

Example:

• Maria, a full-time financial analyst with ten years of experience, dedicates 10 hours per week to studying. She passes Part 1 in four months and Part 2 in another four months, completing the exams in eight months.

On average, most candidates complete both parts of the CMA exam in 6 to 12 months, depending on their study schedules.

For more detailed exam preparation tips, visit our blog on Best Study Strategies for CMA US Exam Success.

How Long Does It Take to Complete the Work Experience Requirement?

The CMA US certification requires two years of professional experience in management accounting or financial management. However, this experience can be gained before or after passing the CMA exam.

Key Considerations:

• If you already have the required experience, you can apply for certification as soon as you pass the exam.
• If you're gaining experience, you have up to seven years to complete the work experience requirement after passing the exam.

Example 1: Already Have Relevant Experience

• John, an accountant with over five years of experience in financial analysis and budgeting, completes both parts of the exam in six months. Since he already meets the work experience requirement, he submits his work verification immediately after passing the exam and becomes certified within eight months.

Example 2: Gaining Experience After Passing the Exam

• Sarah passed both parts of the CMA exam within 12 months but has only one year of relevant experience. She spent another year gaining the required experience and submitted her proof of work in her second year, becoming certified after two years.

For a more detailed breakdown of the work experience requirement, check out CMA US Work Experience Requirement.

Practical Timelines: How Long Does It Take to Become a CMA?

Here are some practical timelines based on different scenarios to give you a better idea of how long the complete CMA certification process might take:

Scenario 1: Full-Time Student (No Work Experience Yet)

• Exam Prep Time: 6–8 months
• Work Experience: 2 years (gained after passing the exam)
• Total Time: Approximately 2.5–3 years

Example:

Alex, a final-year accounting student, studies full-time and passes the CMA exam in 7 months. After graduation, he works full-time to gain the necessary experience and completes the requirement in 2 years, becoming a CMA in 3 years.

Scenario 2: Working Professional with Some Relevant Experience

• Exam Prep Time: 8–12 months
• Work Experience: 1 year (remaining experience gained after passing the exam)
• Total Time: Approximately 1.5–2 years

Example:

David, a cost accountant with one year of relevant experience, passed both parts of the exam in 10 months. He continued working and completed the second year of experience in 12 months, receiving his CMA certification in 22 months.

Scenario 3: Working Professional with 2+ Years of Experience

• Exam Prep Time: 6–12 months
• Work Experience: Already completed
• Total Time: Approximately 6–12 months

Example:

Priya, a finance manager with five years of relevant experience, passes both parts of the CMA exam in six months. Since she already meets the work experience requirement, she submits her documents immediately and becomes certified in eight months.

FAQs: How Long Does It Take to Become a CMA?

Can I take the CMA exam before completing the work experience requirement?

• Yes, you can take the exam before completing the work experience requirement. After passing the exam, you have seven years to gain the required work experience.

How many hours per week should I study for the CMA exam?

• If you work full-time, aim for 10–15 hours of weekly study. Full-time students or candidates dedicating more time to preparation can study  20–25 hours per week.

Can I fast-track the CMA certification process?

• Yes, if you already have the necessary work experience and dedicate sufficient time to study, you can complete the certification process in 6–12 months.

Is there a time limit to pass both parts of the CMA exam?

• Yes, you must pass both parts of the CMA exam within three years of registering for the first part.

Conclusion: How Long Will It Take You to Become a CMA?

The time it takes to become a Certified Management Accountant depends on your circumstances, such as how much time you can dedicate to studying and whether you’ve already gained the required work experience.

Total Time Estimate

• For candidates with a degree and experience: You could complete the CMA process in as little as 6 months to 1 year if you pass both exams quickly.
• For candidates who still need to gain work experience: The total time may range from 2 to 4 years, depending on how long it takes to gain the necessary experience.

By creating a solid study plan and staying consistent with your preparation, you can pass the CMA exam and meet the work experience requirement within a timeframe that fits your lifestyle and goals. Whether you're a student, a new professional, or a seasoned accountant, the CMA US certification is achievable with the right strategy.

For more information on preparing for the exam, fulfilling the experience requirement, and tips on becoming a CMA, explore our other helpful articles:

• How to register for the CMA Exam
• CMA US Work Experience Requirement
• CMA US Exam Structure and Preparation Tips
• CMA Exam dates