Who Is Eligible for the CMA USA Course?
By LIFS Editorial Team · 2026-08-27 · 8 min read · CMA Eligibility
Quick answer: You can start CMA preparation—and may sit the exams—before completing every certification requirement. To receive the CMA credential, IMA requires active membership, both exam parts, a qualifying bachelor's degree or professional certification, and two continuous years of relevant experience.
Key Takeaways
- Preparation-course admission and final CMA certification are different decisions.
- A qualifying bachelor's degree can be in a field other than accounting.
- Students and candidates without two years of experience can take the exams first.
- IMA and ICMA—not the training provider—make the final eligibility decision.
CMA USA eligibility has two layers that are often confused. A learner can begin an exam-preparation course, and even take the CMA exams, before completing every requirement for the final credential. IMA awards the CMA only after the membership, examination, education and professional-experience requirements are satisfied.
Quick eligibility checklist
| Requirement | What IMA requires | When it can be completed |
|---|---|---|
| IMA membership | Active IMA membership | Needed to enter and remain in the CMA programme |
| Examinations | Pass CMA Part 1 and Part 2 | Both parts must be passed within the programme time limit |
| Education | An accredited bachelor's degree or a related qualifying professional certification | Can be documented before or after the exams, within IMA's stated deadline |
| Experience | Two continuous years in management accounting or financial management | Can be completed before or after the exams, within IMA's stated deadline |
IMA's current guidance says candidates have three years to pass both exam parts and seven years after enrolment to complete the education and experience requirements. IMA is the final authority for an individual application.
Who can start preparing now?
University students
Students can begin preparing and may take the exam while still at university. The degree and experience evidence can be completed later within IMA's deadline. Students should confirm that their membership category and institution meet IMA's rules.
Graduates from any academic major
The qualifying bachelor's degree does not have to be in accounting. A graduate in commerce, business, economics, engineering, technology or another field may qualify if the degree and institution satisfy IMA's education requirement.
Professionals without a bachelor's degree
IMA also accepts certain related professional certifications as an education route. Do not assume that every certificate qualifies: check IMA's current list and request an individual assessment when the status is unclear.
Candidates without two years of experience yet
Relevant experience does not have to be complete before sitting the exams. A candidate can pass both parts first and finish the experience requirement later, within the permitted period.
What work experience can qualify?
IMA describes qualifying work as professional experience in management accounting or financial management. The decision depends on actual responsibilities, not only a job title. Relevant work can include duties such as financial planning and analysis, budgeting, management reporting, cost analysis, internal controls, decision support, corporate finance, risk work or closely related responsibilities.
If a role mixes relevant and unrelated duties, keep a clear description of the finance responsibilities and ask IMA how the experience should be documented. Internships, clerical work and roles without professional management-accounting or financial-management responsibility should not be assumed to qualify.
Course eligibility is not the same as certification eligibility
A training provider prepares candidates for the exam; it does not decide whether IMA will award the designation. LIFS can discuss a suitable study route, while IMA remains responsible for accepting education and experience evidence and issuing the CMA credential.
Before enrolling, review the step-by-step UAE CMA route, the Part 1 and Part 2 syllabus and the study timeline.
A five-minute self-check
- Do you have, or are you working towards, a qualifying bachelor's degree?
- If not, do you hold a professional certification on IMA's accepted list?
- Can your work history document management-accounting or financial-management duties?
- Can you maintain active IMA membership and complete both exam parts within three years?
- Can you submit the education and experience evidence within IMA's seven-year period?
If one answer is uncertain, verify it with IMA before paying non-refundable programme or exam charges.
Frequently asked questions
Can a student take the CMA USA exams?
Yes. IMA encourages eligible students to take the exams while their university knowledge is current. Education and relevant work-experience evidence can be completed later within IMA's deadline.
Is an accounting degree compulsory for CMA USA?
No. IMA requires a qualifying bachelor's degree from an accredited institution or a related qualifying professional certification; the bachelor's degree can be in another major.
Can I take the CMA exams without two years of experience?
Yes. The experience can be completed before or after the exams, but it must meet IMA's definition and be documented within the allowed period.
Who decides whether my degree or experience is accepted?
IMA and ICMA make the final certification decision. A training provider can explain the published rules but cannot guarantee that individual evidence will be accepted.
Sources
- IMA — How to earn the CMA
- IMA — Student membership and taking the CMA while in school
- LIFS — How to become a CMA in the UAE
Learn more: CMA Course in Dubai · CMA Course Fees · CMA Salary UAE · All articles