Certification Exam Schedule

The dates for the CBA, CBF and CCE exams are published below and in the NACM National Certification Brochure. The exam test date schedule may be modified from time to time; all exam candidates will receive updated information and schedules with their written eligibility confirmation if this occurs. The CBA, CBF and CCE exams will be given at your local Affiliated Association office on the dates listed below.

Your Registration Form, Application Form, corresponding fees and documented Career Roadmap (if applicable) must arrive in our office by the day of the paperwork deadline to ensure a formal evaluation of your information for each exam. You will receive written confirmation of your file status approximately four weeks from the date we receive your paperwork.

Testing

Certification exams are administered in accordance with the national test date schedule. No books, notes or reference materials are permitted in the exam room; however, hand-held calculators are permitted. Exam results are released in writing as pass or fail (unsatisfactory) only. Numeric grades are not released. Candidates receiving a failing result will be given study suggestions to help prepare to retake the exam.

You are encouraged to study for the examination. For the CBA and CBF designations, test questions are drawn from the material covered in the required courses. Candidates will receive a copy of the appropriate exam study outline from the NACM-National Education Department with their approval letters. Because NACM reserves the right to update the exams, qualified exam candidates should reference the current Study Guides to prepare for the exam. All of the recommended study texts can be purchased through the NACM Bookstore.

CBA and CBF Online Practice Exams are intended to provide a sampling of the official exam’s format and content. They are not intended to reflect the exact number of questions on any specific subject nor are they reflective of the exact number of questions found on the official exam. The Online Practice Exams are meant for study preparation and as a tool to become comfortable with the testing process. Please note that an exam access fee may be instituted during the year.

Exam Retake Fee

Should your exam results be unsatisfactory, you may retake any of the designation exams on the next scheduled test date. You must complete and send the Exam Retake Form along with the appropriate retake fee to the NACM-National Education Department to retake an exam. Your form should be received by the NACM-National Education Department at least 30 days prior to the scheduled test date.

If you would like to inquire about your exam, please make inquiries within three months of the exam date on which you sat. Exams will be destroyed after this time. Unfortunately, the number of exams taken each year precludes their storage.

Exam Rescheduling and Fees

Anyone rescheduling an exam date should put their request in writing or update their exam notification form (this will arrive with your written testing approval letter). The NACM-National
Education Department must receive written notification of your wish to change exam dates at least two weeks prior to the exam date. You may fax or mail the request. A $25 fee is charged if you reschedule up to two weeks prior to the examination date or are a no-show for the examination. This fee applies each time you reschedule or cancel two weeks prior to or within two weeks of the exam.

Application and Testing Expirations

All three designations require the candidate to apply for qualification. Candidates must take the appropriate designation exam within one year of written eligibility and must pass the exam within three years of eligibility. Failure to complete the process by taking or passing the exam will require the candidate to reapply.