How Long It Takes to Become a CMA: Career Timeline

Becoming a Certified Management Accountant is a smart investment in your future, but it’s not something you can do overnight (until scientists make the matrix, anyway).

So, how long does becoming a CMA actually take?

In this guide, I’ll walk you through every step, give you an estimated timeline, and even show you different timelines depending on your starting point. By the end, you’ll have an exact idea of the road ahead and be able to decide if the CMA journey is the right fit for you.

Key Takeaways

• The Total Timeline Varies: Depending on your education and experience, becoming a CMA can take one to seven years.
• Education Is Required: To qualify for CMA certification, you need a bachelor’s degree in any major or an approved certification.
• Exam Takes 6–12 Months: Most candidates take about a year to study and pass both parts of the CMA exam.
• Work Experience Can Overlap: You can complete the two-year work experience requirement before, during, or after passing the exam.
• Fast-Track Options Exist: If you already have a degree and experience, you can become a CMA in as little as one to two years.

How Long Does It Take to Earn a CMA Certification?

Step 1: Join the IMA & Pay the CMA Entrance Fee (Time: A Few Days to a Week)

Before you can even register for the CMA exam, you need to:

Become an active member of the Institute of Management Accountants (expect to pay between $49 and $295 for your first year)
Pay the CMA entrance fee ($225 for students/academics or $300 for professionals)

The entrance fee gives you access to CMA program materials, gets your education and experience reviewed, and puts your name on the IMA’s list of CMAs once you’re certified.

👉 Timeline Tip: This step is quick—just a bit of paperwork and payment. It shouldn’t take more than a few days to a week.

Step 2: Meet the Education Requirements (Time: 4 Years)

To earn your CMA, you need at least a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. If you’re already in school, great—you’re on the right track!

• You need a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. However, you don’t need a CMA-centric major like Finance or Economics; any bachelor’s degree will do!
• If you live in the U.S. and have one of the following certifications, you either don’t need a Bachelor’s Degree or can access an alternative education requirement path: CFA®, CIA, CFE, or CTP.
• If you live outside of the U.S., you can access the full list of eligible countries via a link in the CMA Handbook.

👉 Timeline Tip: If you’re still in college, consider taking CMA prep courses in your junior or senior year to speed things up! See how these courses compare here. Plus, you can take your exams while in college, so prep early for a head start—just submit the proof within 7 years of passing the exams.

Step 3: Gain Relevant Work Experience (Time: 2 Years, Can Be Before or After Exam)

You need two consecutive years of work experience in management accounting or financial management to get your Certified Management Accountant certification.

• The good news? You can get this before, during, or after taking the CMA exam.
• Jobs like financial analyst, accountant, cost accountant, or internal auditor usually count.
• If you work part-time, you’ll need 4 years of experience to qualify.

👉 Timeline Tip: If you’re already working in the field, you’re ahead of the game. If not, you can pass the exam first and then work on getting the experience.

Step 4: Prepare For and Pass the CMA Exam (Time: 6–12 Months)

The CMA exam is the biggest hurdle in earning your certification. It has two parts, and most people take them several months apart.

• Part 1: Financial Planning, Performance, and Analytics
• Part 2: Strategic Financial Management

Most candidates study for 300–400 hours total, which takes about 6–9 months if you’re studying part-time. Some fast-track it and finish in 3–4 months, but that’s intense and best suited for professionals with a lot of experience.

Once you’re ready, you’ll take each exam during a testing window (January/February, May/June, or September/October). Most people schedule their exams for separate testing windows, meaning it takes about 6–12 months to finish both. However, you can take both parts in the same window.

👉 Timeline Tip: If you study aggressively and take both exams back-to-back in a single testing window, you could finish in 6 months or fewer. If you need more time, expect closer to a year.

Step 5: Maintain Your Certification (Ongoing: 30 Hours Per Year)

Congrats, you’re a CMA! 🎉 But to keep your CMA certification basics valid, you need Continuing Professional Education (CPE)—30 hours per year, including 2 hours of ethics training.

How Long It Takes to Become a CMA: A Summary

Becoming a CMA takes anywhere from 1 to 7 years, depending on your background. Here’s precisely how long it will take based on where you’re starting.

1. If You’re Starting From Scratch (No Degree, No Experience)

👉 Total Time: 6–7 Years

If you’re entirely new to accounting and finance, here’s the real timeline:

• Bachelor’s Degree (4 years) – Required before you can get certified.
• Join the IMA & Pay the Entrance Fee (A Few Days to a Week) – Must be done before registering for the exam.
• Prepare for & Pass the CMA Exam (6–12 months) – Most people take a year to study and pass.
• Gain 2 Years of Work Experience (2 years, can be before or after the exam) – You have up to 7 years after passing the exam to complete this.
• Apply for Certification (A Few Weeks) – Once everything is done, you submit your paperwork.

✅ Fastest Possible Time: 6 years (if you work during college and pass the exam quickly)
⏳ More Likely Time: 7 years (if you pass the exam first and do work experience after)

2. If You Already Have a Degree (But No Work Experience)

👉 Total Time: 2–3 Years

If you already have a bachelor’s degree, you’re halfway there. Here’s your timeline:

• Join the IMA & Pay the Entrance Fee (A Few Days to a Week)
• Prepare for & Pass the CMA Exam (6–12 months)
• Gain 2 Years of Work Experience (2 years, unless you’ve already started in accounting/finance)
• Apply for Certification (A Few Weeks)

✅ Fastest Possible Time: 2 years (if you pass the exam quickly while working)
⏳ More Likely Time: 2.5–3 years (if you take more time studying or switch careers)

👉 Total Time: 1–2 Years

3. If You Have Both a Degree & Work Experience

If you already have a bachelor’s degree and 2+ years of work experience, you’re really close to certification. Here’s your timeline:

• Join the IMA & Pay the Entrance Fee (A Few Days to a Week)
• Prepare for & Pass the CMA Exam (6–12 months)
• Apply for Certification (A Few Weeks)—Since your experience is already complete, you can apply right after passing the exam.

✅ Fastest Possible Time: 1 year (if you pass the CMA exam in 6 months)
⏳ More Likely Time: 1.5–2 years (if you take your time studying)

Final Thoughts: How Long Does it Take to Become a CMA?

The time it takes to earn your CMA certification depends entirely on where you’re starting from. For some, it’s a long-term investment that takes up to seven years; for others, it’s a fast-track career boost that can be done in just one to two years.

• If you’re starting from scratch, expect to spend 6–7 years earning your degree, gaining experience, and passing the exam.
• If you already have a degree, you’re looking at 2–3 years to finish the exam and work experience.
• If you have both a degree and experience, you could be certified in just 1–2 years after passing the exam.

No matter where you’re starting, the CMA is one of the fastest and most rewarding accounting and finance certifications out there. If you’re looking for higher earning potential and career advancement in financial management, the time investment is absolutely worth it.

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