CMA USA Duration: Complete Guide (2026)

If you’re planning to pursue the CMA USA duration is one of the most important factors to understand before starting your journey. Many students assume it takes several years like CA or other professional courses, but the reality is quite different. The CMA (US) program is designed to be completed faster — provided you plan properly and clear both exam parts on time.

The CMA USA certification is offered by the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) and consists of only two exam parts, which makes it one of the shortest globally recognized finance certifications.

How Long Does CMA USA Take?

The CMA USA duration typically ranges between:

6 months to 1 year (for focused students)
12 to 18 months (for working professionals)

The actual time depends on your study schedule, background knowledge, and exam planning strategy.

Why Is CMA USA Duration Short?

Unlike many other professional courses, CMA USA has:

Only 2 exam parts
Flexible exam windows
No compulsory articleship period
Exams that can be taken in any order

Because of this structure, candidates can complete both parts within a year if they prepare consistently.

CMA USA Exam Structure and Duration

The CMA exam is divided into:

Part 1 – Financial Planning, Performance & Analytics

Part 2 – Strategic Financial Management

Each exam part:

Duration: 4 hours
100 Multiple Choice Questions
2 Essay-type questions

You can take Part 1 and Part 2 in any order, and there are multiple exam windows every year.

Maximum Time Limit to Complete CMA USA

IMA allows candidates 3 years from the date of program registration to complete both exam parts.

If you do not pass both parts within 3 years:

You may need to re-register
Certain fees may apply again

So while the average CMA USA duration is around 1 year, the maximum allowed period is 3 years.

Study Time Required Per Part

On average, candidates need:

150–170 study hours per part
Total: Around 300–350 hours for both parts

Example Timeline:

If you study 2–3 hours daily:
You can complete one part in 3–4 months.

If you study 4–5 hours daily:
You can prepare one part in 2–3 months.

Working professionals usually take slightly longer due to job commitments.

CMA USA Duration for Different Candidates

For Commerce Students

If you already have accounting or finance knowledge, preparation becomes easier. Many commerce graduates complete CMA USA within 9–12 months.

For Non-Commerce Background

If you come from a non-finance background, you may need extra time to understand accounting basics. In that case, duration may extend to 12–18 months.

For Working Professionals

Most working professionals complete CMA USA within 1 to 1.5 years, depending on consistency.

Experience Requirement and Total Timeline

Apart from clearing exams, CMA certification also requires:

2 years of relevant work experience in management accounting or financial management.

Important:
You can complete this experience before, during, or within 7 years after passing the exams. It does not delay your exam completion timeline.

Is CMA USA Faster Than Other Courses?

Compared to traditional accounting qualifications:

CMA USA is shorter than many multi-level professional programs.
It has fewer exam papers.
It offers flexible scheduling.

This makes the CMA USA duration one of the biggest advantages of the course.

Can You Complete CMA USA in 6 Months?

Yes, it is possible — but only if:

You study full-time
You have a strong accounting foundation
You plan both exam parts strategically
You avoid long gaps between exams

However, for most candidates, a realistic and comfortable timeline is 9–12 months.

Final Thoughts

The CMA USA duration is flexible and efficient. Most students complete the certification within 1 year, while the maximum allowed time is 3 years. With only two exam parts and multiple testing windows, CMA USA is one of the fastest global finance certifications you can earn.