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 Hello Everyone,

I am seeking clarification regarding my CMA program status after receiving a recent email from IMA Member Services.

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Problem Statement

I enrolled in the CMA Certification Program and paid my CMA entrance fee on December 14, 2023, which, per IMA policy, carries a 3-year validity until December 14, 2026. I currently hold an active CMA student membership. I have successfully passed CMA Part 2, and CMA Part 1 is still pending.

I have three exam windows remaining within my current validity period and I am planning to sit for CMA Part 1 in the upcoming October exam window.

However, I received an email from IMA stating the following (summary of IMA's message):

"Your current entrance fee expired on December 14, 2026. IMA can offer a one-time exception to extend your entrance fee. To proceed, you must pay a new CMA entrance fee at a 50% discount. With this exception, you will have the Jan/Feb 2026 and May/June 2026 exam windows to complete your remaining exam part while keeping your previously passed part valid. If both exams are not completed by June 30, 2026, the CMA entrance fee and any completed exam part will expire, and you will have to start the CMA program over again."

This message has created confusion, as my understanding is that my original CMA entrance fee is still active and has not yet expired, and that I should be able to complete the remaining exam part within the original 3-year period without paying an additional entrance fee.

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Solution / Clarification Requested

I would appreciate clarification on the following points:

1. Can I continue under my existing CMA entrance fee (paid December 14, 2023) without any additional payment, provided I pass CMA Part 1 before December 14, 2026?

2. Is the 50% discounted entrance fee a voluntary, one-time re-entry option offered only as a safeguard if a candidate is unable to complete both exam parts within the original validity period?

3. If I proceed with my plan to take CMA Part 1 in the October exam window, is there no impact on the validity of my already passed Part 2?

Guidance from IMA representatives or members who have faced a similar situation would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you for your time and support.

Kind regards,
Vignesh

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Vignesh G
Student
Chennai TN
India
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@Vignesh, have you contacted IMA about this? It seems to be an error, because it has not been three years yet.

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Gerardus van Stijn CMA
Controller
HOOFDDORP
Netherlands
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Yeah, Sir they reply same mail again, don't know what to do?

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Vignesh G
Student
Chennai TN
India
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Original Message:
Sent: 12-19-2025 04:37 AM
From: Gerardus van Stijn
Subject: Clarification Needed: CMA Entrance Fee Validity vs One-Time Extension Request from I

@Vignesh, have you contacted IMA about this? It seems to be an error, because it has not been three years yet.

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Gerardus van Stijn CMA
Controller
HOOFDDORP
Netherlands
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Hi Vignesh,

The IMA's records seem to be mixed up because they said, "Your current entrance fee expired on December 14, 2026"  in the past tense, which is ridiculous. I would recommend you contact them about it to get it straightened out. Here is a link to the billing and payments page on their website, and it has a Contact button you can use to send them a message: Member Services Help

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W. Lynn Roden CMA
United States
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