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July 24, 2026>Board360
The US CMA total cost in India in 2026 has three mandatory layers: IMA membership, the one-time CMA program entrance fee, and the exam registration fee for each of the two parts. On top of that, most serious candidates invest in a review course. The total is more manageable than many candidates expect, especially compared to the CPA's India-specific International Testing Fee surcharge, which does not apply to the CMA. This guide breaks down every fee in the correct payment sequence, explains the student vs professional discount structure, and gives you the full picture in both USD and INR so you can plan your investment before you register.
The US CPA charges an International Testing Fee (ITF) of $390 to $510 per section for candidates testing in India, adding approximately ₹1.6 lakh to the total cost. The US CMA does not have an equivalent surcharge. IMA fees are identical for candidates worldwide. Indian candidates pay exactly the same membership, entrance, and exam fees as candidates sitting the same exam in the United States or anywhere else. The CMA exam is delivered through Prometric testing centers in India, and no additional geographic fee applies.
This is one of the most significant practical differences between the two credentials for Indian candidates and is worth factoring into any cost comparison between CPA and CMA.
IMA membership is mandatory before you can register for the CMA program. You must be an active IMA member at the time of program entry and must maintain your membership until you receive your certification. The IMA offers three membership categories, each at a different annual rate.
Professional membership is the standard category for working finance and accounting professionals. The annual fee is $295 plus a one-time $15 processing fee charged at the time of your first enrollment. This brings the first-year professional membership cost to $310.
Student membership is available to candidates who are currently enrolled in an accredited degree program and taking at least six credit hours per semester or equivalent. The annual fee is $49 with no processing fee. This is a significant discount that substantially reduces the total cost for B.com, M.com, and MBA students who register for the CMA while still enrolled.
Academic membership is for faculty and educators. The annual fee is $160 plus the $15 processing fee. This category is not relevant for most Indian CMA candidates.
| Membership Type | Annual Fee (USD / Approx. INR @ ₹94/USD) |
|---|---|
| Professional (First Year, incl. $15 Processing Fee) | $310 / ₹29,140 |
| Professional (Renewal) | $295 / ₹27,730 |
| Student (No Processing Fee) | $49 / ₹4,606 |
| Academic (First Year, incl. Processing Fee) | $175 / ₹16,450 |
IMA membership is an annual fee. If you take longer than 12 months to complete both CMA parts, you will need to renew your membership. Budget for one or two renewal cycles depending on your timeline. Membership renewal is at the standard annual rate without the processing fee.
Once you have IMA membership, you pay the one-time CMA program entrance fee. This fee opens your access to the CMA program for three years, during which you must pass both exam parts. If you do not pass both parts within three years of paying the entrance fee, you lose credit for any parts passed and must pay the entrance fee again to re-enter the program.
The entrance fee varies by membership category:
| Candidate Category | CMA Entrance Fee (USD / Approx. INR @ ₹94/USD) |
|---|---|
| Professional Members | $300 / ₹28,200 |
| Student / Academic Members | $225 / ₹21,150 |
The entrance fee is non-refundable under all circumstances. Do not pay the entrance fee until you are genuinely ready to begin preparation. The three-year clock starts from the date you pay, not the date you first sit an exam part.
The exam registration fee is paid separately for each part and each attempt. You can register for both parts at the same time or register for them individually. The IMA charges separate registration fees based on your membership category.
| Membership Category | Exam Registration Fee per Part (USD / Approx. INR @ ₹94/USD) |
|---|---|
| Professional Members | $460 / ₹43,240 |
| Student / Academic Members | $345 / ₹32,430 |
The CMA exam is offered in three testing windows per year: January through February, May through June, and September through October. Each part can be attempted once per window. You can sit for as many windows as needed within your three-year program period. Retakes require a new exam registration payment at the same rates as the first attempt. There is no reduced retake fee.
The IMA is transitioning the CMA exam from essay questions to Case-Based Questions (CBQs) starting with the May/June 2026 testing window. Under the old format, each part included 100 MCQs and two essay questions, with essays accounting for 25% of the score. Under the new CBQ format, each part includes 100 MCQs and case-based questions that test the same analytical competencies in a structured multiple-choice scenario format. The fees for the CBQ format remain the same as for the essay format. No additional cost is involved in this transition.
The table below consolidates all mandatory IMA fees for a candidate who passes both parts on the first attempt, across professional and student membership categories.
| Fee Component | Professional (USD) | Professional (INR @ ₹94/USD) | Student (USD) | Student (INR @ ₹94/USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IMA Membership (First Year) | $310 | ₹29,140 | $49 | ₹4,606 |
| CMA Entrance Fee (One-Time) | $300 | ₹28,200 | $225 | ₹21,150 |
| Exam Fee – Part 1 | $460 | ₹43,240 | $345 | ₹32,430 |
| Exam Fee – Part 2 | $460 | ₹43,240 | $345 | ₹32,430 |
| Total (Both Parts, First Attempt) | $1,530 | ₹1,43,820 | $964 | ₹90,616 |
| With Membership Renewal (Year 2) | $1,825 | ₹1,71,550 | $1,013 | ₹95,222 |
INR conversions use ₹94 per $1 as a reference. Verify the current rate before making any payments. All IMA fees are billed in USD regardless of your country of residence. The student total assumes one membership renewal year is not needed, meaning both parts are passed within the first 12-month membership period.
The CMA review course is the largest variable cost in the program and the one most directly correlated with your probability of passing on the first attempt. IMA does not provide a separate study guide; all study materials beyond the official IMA Learning Outcome Statements come from third-party providers or coaching programs.
A comprehensive CMA review course typically includes:
| Review Course Format | Approx. Cost (INR) |
|---|---|
| Self-study software (Question Bank Only, No Instruction) | ₹30,000–₹60,000 |
| Recorded Lectures + Question Bank | ₹60,000–₹1,00,000 |
| Full Coaching Program (Live Instruction, Mentoring & Mock Exams) | ₹1,00,000–₹1,50,000+ |
Question bank depth and CBQ coverage: The May/June 2026 window introduces CBQs. Confirm that your review course has updated its practice materials to include CBQ-format questions, not just the older essay-format questions. A course that has not updated for the new format leaves a material preparation gap.
MCQ volume and analytics: CMA Part 1 is the harder of the two parts based on pass rates. A question bank of at least 1,000 to 1,500 MCQs per part with performance tracking by topic area is the baseline for adequate preparation. Content partner: Widely used CMA review content is produced by UWorld, Gleim, Wiley CMAexcel, and Hock International. Each has different instructional approaches. Evaluate based on the quality and currency of the question bank, not solely on the provider's brand recognition.
Access period: Most candidates complete both CMA parts within 6 to 12 months. Confirm that your review course provides access through your expected completion date, with an extension option if you need additional time beyond 12 months.
Every failed attempt adds the full exam registration fee for the retake. There is no discounted retake rate. A professional candidate who fails both parts once and retakes them both pays an additional $920 in exam fees, on top of the original program fees.
| Retake Scenario | Additional Cost (USD / Approx. INR @ ₹94/USD) |
|---|---|
| One Part Retake (Professional) | $460 / ₹43,240 |
| One Part Retake (Student) | $345 / ₹32,430 |
| Both Parts Retake (Professional) | $920 / ₹86,480 |
| Both Parts Retake (Student) | $690 / ₹64,860 |
| Entrance Fee Repayment (3-Year Window Expired) | Professional: $300 / ₹28,200<br>Student: $225 / ₹21,150 |
The three-year program window is one of the most important cost controls to monitor. If you pay the entrance fee and then delay your preparation, you risk your window expiring before you complete both parts. A lapsed window means repaying the entrance fee and effectively restarting the program. Budget your timeline deliberately from the date you pay the entrance fee.
| Cost Component | Professional (USD) | Student (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| IMA Membership (First Year) | $310 | $49 |
| CMA Entrance Fee | $300 | $225 |
| Exam Fee – Part 1 | $460 | $345 |
| Exam Fee – Part 2 | $460 | $345 |
| Review Course (Mid-Range Estimate) | $800–$1,200 | $800–$1,200 |
| Total First-Attempt Estimate | $2,330–$2,730 | $1,764–$2,164 |
| Approx. INR (@ ₹94/USD) | ₹2.19–₹2.57 lakh | ₹1.66–₹2.03 lakh |
These figures assume you pass both parts on the first attempt and complete the program within one membership year. Student candidates who qualify for the IMA Student Scholarship (see below) can bring the mandatory IMA fee component close to zero.
The difference between professional and student fees across the full program is approximately $566 in mandatory IMA fees ($1,530 professional vs $964 student for both parts on first attempt). If you are currently enrolled in a B.Com, M.Com, MBA, or any other accredited degree program taking at least six credit hours per semester, you qualify for student membership. This is the single largest cost reduction available to Indian candidates who are still studying. Apply for the IMA Student Scholarship
The IMA Student Scholarship covers the CMA entrance fee and both exam part fees for qualifying students. Recipients must be enrolled in a college or university program. The scholarship is awarded on a competitive basis and applications are accepted on a rolling cycle. Indian students from IMA-endorsed or IMA partner institutions are eligible. Scholarship recipients who win the full award effectively reduce their mandatory IMA fee to the cost of student membership ($49) alone.
A single Part 1 retake as a professional candidate costs $460. That is more than the entire annual student membership fee and nearly as much as a year's professional membership. Investing in adequate review course preparation before sitting each part is the most effective cost control strategy over the life of the program.
Completing both parts within your first 12 months of membership eliminates the need for a membership renewal fee. Professional candidates who need a second year pay an additional $295 in membership renewal. Candidates who complete both parts faster also reduce the risk of the three-year entrance fee window expiring before certification is achieved.
Candidates working at Big 4 firms, GCCs, or MNCs in India in finance or management accounting roles should check their employer's professional development reimbursement policy. Some employers cover IMA membership fees, exam registration fees, and review course costs, typically contingent on passing the relevant exam part. Employer reimbursement effectively reduces the net personal investment to zero for qualifying candidates.
Earning the CMA certification does not end the cost relationship with the IMA. Certified CMAs must pay a $30 annual renewal fee and complete 30 hours of Continuing Professional Education (CPE) per year to maintain their designation. The CPE requirement includes at least two hours of ethics content annually. IMA membership must also be maintained; active IMA members who are CMAs can access many CPE resources at no additional cost through the IMA's online learning library.
| Post-Certification Annual Requirement | Cost / Obligation |
|---|---|
| IMA Professional Membership Renewal | $295/year / ₹27,730 |
| CMA Annual Certification Renewal Fee | $30/year / ₹2,820 |
| CPE Hours Required | 30 hours per calendar year |
| Ethics CPE Minimum | 2 hours per year |
| Annual Post-Certification Cost (Membership + Renewal) | $325/year / ₹30,550 |
Every failed attempt adds the full exam registration fee for the retake. There is no discounted retake rate. A professional candidate who fails both parts once and retakes them both pays an additional $920 in exam fees, on top of the original program fees.
| Retake Scenario | Additional Cost (USD / Approx. INR @ ₹94/USD) |
|---|---|
| One Part Retake (Professional) | $460 / ₹43,240 |
| One Part Retake (Student) | $345 / ₹32,430 |
| Both Parts Retake (Professional) | $920 / ₹86,480 |
| Both Parts Retake (Student) | $690 / ₹64,860 |
| Entrance Fee Repayment (3-Year Window Expired) | Professional: $300 / ₹28,200<br>Student: $225 / ₹21,150 |
The three-year program window is one of the most important cost controls to monitor. If you pay the entrance fee and then delay your preparation, you risk your window expiring before you complete both parts. A lapsed window means repaying the entrance fee and effectively restarting the program. Budget your timeline deliberately from the date you pay the entrance fee.
| Cost Component | Professional (USD) | Student (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| IMA Membership (First Year) | $310 | $49 |
| CMA Entrance Fee | $300 | $225 |
| Exam Fee – Part 1 | $460 | $345 |
| Exam Fee – Part 2 | $460 | $345 |
| Review Course (Mid-Range Estimate) | $800–$1,200 | $800–$1,200 |
| Total First-Attempt Estimate | $2,330–$2,730 | $1,764–$2,164 |
| Approx. INR (@ ₹94/USD) | ₹2.19–₹2.57 lakh | ₹1.66–₹2.03 lakh |
These figures assume you pass both parts on the first attempt and complete the program within one membership year. Student candidates who qualify for the IMA Student Scholarship (see below) can bring the mandatory IMA fee component close to zero.
The difference between professional and student fees across the full program is approximately $566 in mandatory IMA fees ($1,530 professional vs $964 student for both parts on first attempt). If you are currently enrolled in a B.Com, M.Com, MBA, or any other accredited degree program taking at least six credit hours per semester, you qualify for student membership. This is the single largest cost reduction available to Indian candidates who are still studying.
The IMA Student Scholarship covers the CMA entrance fee and both exam part fees for qualifying students. Recipients must be enrolled in a college or university program. The scholarship is awarded on a competitive basis and applications are accepted on a rolling cycle. Indian students from IMA-endorsed or IMA partner institutions are eligible. Scholarship recipients who win the full award effectively reduce their mandatory IMA fee to the cost of student membership ($49) alone.
A single Part 1 retake as a professional candidate costs $460. That is more than the entire annual student membership fee and nearly as much as a year's professional membership. Investing in adequate review course preparation before sitting each part is the most effective cost control strategy over the life of the program.
Completing both parts within your first 12 months of membership eliminates the need for a membership renewal fee. Professional candidates who need a second year pay an additional $295 in membership renewal. Candidates who complete both parts faster also reduce the risk of the three-year entrance fee window expiring before certification is achieved.
Candidates working at Big 4 firms, GCCs, or MNCs in India in finance or management accounting roles should check their employer's professional development reimbursement policy. Some employers cover IMA membership fees, exam registration fees, and review course costs, typically contingent on passing the relevant exam part. Employer reimbursement effectively reduces the net personal investment to zero for qualifying candidates.
Earning the CMA certification does not end the cost relationship with the IMA. Certified CMAs must pay a $30 annual renewal fee and complete 30 hours of Continuing Professional Education (CPE) per year to maintain their designation. The CPE requirement includes at least two hours of ethics content annually. IMA membership must also be maintained; active IMA members who are CMAs can access many CPE resources at no additional cost through the IMA's online learning library.
| Post-Certification Annual Requirement | Cost / Obligation |
|---|---|
| IMA Professional Membership Renewal | $295/year / ₹27,730 |
| CMA Annual Certification Renewal Fee | $30/year / ₹2,820 |
| CPE Hours Required | 30 hours per calendar year |
| Ethics CPE Minimum | 2 hours per year |
| Annual Post-Certification Cost (Membership + Renewal) | $325/year / ₹30,550 |
Board360 offers a structured US CMA program powered by UWorld, the IMA's recommended study partner, covering both CMA parts with a study plan built for working professionals and recent graduates. Explore the Board360 CMA program and book a free demo session to understand how the program is structured and what total investment makes sense for your profile.