CMA Foundation Eligibility, Registration Process, and Fees
- Shankargouda S Malipatil
- Sep 13
- 4 min read

CMA Foundation Eligibility, Registration Process, and Fees
Do you want to work in cost accounting or management accounting? If you answered yes, the CMA Foundation program begins your journey into this fulfilling career. This guide tells you what you need to qualify, how to sign up, what the test is like, how much it costs. It covers everything before you start preparing for the CMA certification CMA Foundation Eligibility, Registration Process, and Fees.
What is the CMA Program?
The Institute of Cost Accountants of India provides the Cost Management Accountant course. This program teaches students how to manage expenses, handle money, deal with taxes, understand business rules, make good choices for the future.
The CMA program has three levels:
Foundation
Intermediate
Final
Each stage presents more difficult ideas. Most people finish the CMA program in three or four years after finishing high school. CMAs, after they become certified, find jobs in areas like figuring out costs, giving business advice, planning finances, handling taxes, crafting company plans, throughout many different fields.
CMA Foundation Eligibility Criteria
Students can begin the CMA Foundation course right after they complete high school. Here's what you need:
Applicants need a tenth grade education from a well-known school.
Students need a high school diploma from an accredited school.
High school students expecting their final exam scores may sign up temporarily.
This lets students start studying for the CMA right away, once school finishes.
How to Register for CMA Foundation
People studying can submit applications through the ICMAI website.
Your registration lasts for three years starting when you begin.
People can take the basic test when ICMAI says they can.
Documents Required for CMA Foundation Registration
Have these papers available when you apply:
Grade ten report card
Your grades from twelfth grade, if you finished it
Valid government-issued ID proof
Passport-size photograph
Scanned digital signature
Active mobile number and email ID
CMA Foundation Exam Schedule
The CMA Foundation test is administered by ICMAI twice a year.
June Session
December Session
It's best for students to sign up early, then create a study plan that fits the exam schedule they pick.
CMA Foundation Course Structure
To start, students need to pass four classes:
Fundamentals of Economics & Management
Fundamentals of Accounting
Fundamentals of Laws & Ethics
Fundamentals of Business Mathematics & Statistics
CMA Foundation Exam Pattern
Exam Duration: 3 hours per paper
Maximum Marks: 100 marks per subject
Question Type: Objective (MCQs) and short answers
You need a score of 40 percent on each test, also a total score of 50 percent when all tests are combined to pass
You won’t lose points for incorrect answers
CMA Intermediate Level
Students advance to the Intermediate level after they finish Foundation.
Eligibility for Intermediate:
Must pass CMA Foundation, OR
Students who completed a Bachelor of Commerce degree with a score of 55 percent or those with a different bachelor's degree achieving 60 percent can apply directly.
Course Structure:
Group 1
Financial Accounting
Laws & Ethics
Direct Taxation
Cost Accounting
Group 2
Company Accounts & Audit
Financial Management
Indirect Taxation
Operations & Strategic Management
Exam Pattern:
Each paper takes three hours to complete
Each class is worth one hundred points
You need to score at least 40 percent on each assignment, also your total score across all assignments must be 50 percent or higher
CMA Final Level
The last part of the CMA program is the Final level.
Eligibility:
Finishing both parts of Intermediate is a success
A year, three months of hands-on experience
Course Structure:
Group 3
Rules concerning corporations and compliance
Management of Strategic Finances
Effective Cost Control and Decision-Making
Direct Tax Laws & International Taxation
Group 4
Corporate Financial Reporting
Strategic Performance Management & Business Valuation
Cost & Management Audit
Indirect Tax Laws & Practice
Exam Pattern:
Each paper takes three hours to complete
Each class is graded out of 100 points
You need a score of at least 40 percent on each assignment, with a total score of at least 50 percent to pass
Question Type: Case-study-based, practical, and theoretical
CMA Foundation Registration Fees in India
The registration fee for CMA Foundation is ₹6,000.
You can sign up anytime.
After students submit payment, they select when they will take the exam, either in June or December.
CMA India charges everyone the same amount for its courses, unlike CMA USA which offers lower prices to some students. It doesn’t matter where you come from, the cost is consistent for all learners in India.
CMA Foundation – FAQs
1. Can I register before completing Class 12?
Yes. Twelfth grade students register for the exam ahead of time, however they need a passing grade in twelfth grade to take it.
2. Is CMA Foundation difficult for beginners?
That is not right. The test isn’t very hard. Students who study regularly usually pass it the first time they take it.
3. Do you offer a discount on the signup cost?
No. You pay ₹6,000 to sign up for the CMA Foundation exam. CMA USA, however, gives price reductions to students, also to people in education.
Final Thoughts
The CMA Foundation program helps people start their journey to become a skilled Cost and Management Accountant. Students can easily sign up online, meet straightforward requirements, pay a low cost, then start their careers quickly after finishing high school.
Start preparing soon, use study guides the ICMAI suggests, then you will likely do well on the CMA Foundation exam. This will help you work toward a career as a respected management accountant worldwide.




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