CMA Exam Exemption on Requirements at a Glance

The CMA exam requirements are pretty simple: a bachelor degree in any discipline.

It’s good enough for most candidates in the US, but in places where university degrees are less prevalent, IMA offers exemption and partial recognition of the local professional qualifications.

Here is a list for major countries for your reference. Please refer to the complete list in the link at the bottom of this post.

CMA Exam Requirement Exemptions

Holders of these certificationa either don’t require a bachelor degree to take the CMA exam, or have alternate paths to meet the education requirement:

Australia

• CA
• CPA

Canada

• CPA
• Legacy CA

India

• Associate or Fellow, Institute of Cost Accountants of India
• CA, Institute of Chartered Accountants of India

Kenya

• CPA, Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK)

Pakistan

• Associate or Fellow, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan
• Associate or Fellow (ACMA or FCMA), Institute of Cost and Management Accountants of Pakistan

Saudi Arabia

• Fellowship, Saudi Organization for Certified Public Accountants

United Kingdom

• Associate or Fellow, ACCA or FCCA
• CA, Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales
• Chartered Member, CIMA
• CPFA, Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy

• CFA, CFA Institute
• CIA, Institute of Internal Auditors
• CFE, Association of Certified Fraud Examiners
• CTP, Association of Financial Professionals

There are also approved certifications from Bangladesh, China, France, Ireland, Japan, Scotland, Switzerland, Sri Lanka, Switzerland and Taiwan. Please refer to the link below for details.

Are there Ways to Waive One Part of the CMA Exam?

No, not that I know of. Since there are only two parts in the current version of the CMA exam, it is hard to expect waivers.

For Your Further Reading

• Approved certification complete list
• The standard CMA exam requirement
• How to become a CMA in 12 months