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DAMA · Data & Analytics · Professional

Certified Data Management Professional (CDMP) exam guide

Exam CDMP Data Management Fundamentals exam plus Specialist exams

The Certified Data Management Professional (CDMP) from DAMA International validates knowledge of the DAMA-DMBOK2 framework across data governance, quality, modeling, metadata and architecture. It is the most widely recognized vendor-neutral data management credential and is increasingly requested for data governance and data office roles as AI programs raise the bar for data quality.

Questions100
Time limit90 minutes
Passing scoreAssociate 60%, Practitioner 70%, Master 80%
Exam fee$311 USD
Valid for3 years
DeliveryOnline proctored, on demand

Format: Multiple choice, open book (one book: DMBOK2 or notes). Fee note: USD 300 per exam plus USD 11 online proctoring; retakes USD 200 plus proctor fee; Master adds a USD 50 experience assessment.

Who it's for

Data governance analysts, data stewards, data architects and data quality leads who want a vendor-neutral credential; Associate suits newcomers, Practitioner and Master suit experienced practitioners.

What the exam covers

Data Governance—
Data Quality—
Data Modeling and Design—
Metadata Management—
Data Architecture—
Data Integration and Interoperability—
Reference and Master Data Management—
Data Warehousing and Business Intelligence—
Data Security—
Data Storage and Operations—
Document and Content Management—
Data Handling Ethics and Big Data—

A dash means the vendor does not publish a weight for that domain.

Eligibility & prerequisites

Required: Associate: pass the Fundamentals exam at 60%, no experience required. Practitioner: Fundamentals plus two Specialist exams at 70% and 2+ years of experience. Master: Fundamentals plus two Specialist exams at 80% and 10+ years of experience with a master experience assessment.

Recommended: Working familiarity with DAMA-DMBOK2 (Revised Edition) and practical exposure to at least one data management function such as governance or quality.

Keeping it active

Each exam pass is valid for three years from badge issue; afterwards holders submit an annual activity attestation and re-sign the Code of Ethics with DAMA International.

Skills & careers

Skills it validates

  • Applying the DAMA wheel and DMBOK2 knowledge areas
  • Designing a data governance operating model
  • Defining data quality dimensions and measurement
  • Conceptual, logical and physical data modeling
  • Metadata and lineage management
  • Reference and master data strategies

Job roles

Data Governance AnalystData StewardData ArchitectData Quality ManagerMaster Data ManagerChief Data Officer

Where it fits in your path

Planning a degree too? See how this cert earns college credit in the College Credit Navigator.

Build my study plan

  1. Weeks 1-2: Read DMBOK2 chapters 1-3 (data management, ethics, governance) and build summary notes.
  2. Weeks 3-5: Cover the remaining knowledge areas, weighting time toward governance, quality, modeling and metadata.
  3. Week 6: Take the DAMA practice exam, map every miss to its chapter and reread.
  4. Week 7: Second timed practice at 54 seconds per question; aim for 80% if targeting Practitioner or Master.
  5. Week 8: Sit Fundamentals; schedule Specialist exams (e.g. Data Governance, Data Quality) over the next 2-3 months for Practitioner.

Make it yours: pick your exam date and weekly hours. We'll split your time by domain weight and give you a printable plan.

Exam-day tips

  • You may use only one reference, so a well-indexed DMBOK2 or condensed notes beats flipping an unmarked book.
  • At 54 seconds per question there is no time to look up everything; only check the book on flagged items.
  • Answers follow DMBOK definitions, not your company's terminology; choose the textbook answer.
  • Your highest score is retained, so a 60-69% pass can be upgraded later by retaking.
  • Pick Specialist exams in the areas you work in daily; they are harder than Fundamentals.

Key terms for this exam

All 94 terms Study with thinQcards™

Frequently asked questions

How much does the CDMP cost?

USD 311 per online-proctored exam (USD 300 plus USD 11 proctoring). Associate needs one exam; Practitioner and Master need three, plus USD 50 for the Master experience assessment.

Is the CDMP exam open book?

Yes, with one book only: DMBOK2 or your own notes, in print or on a separate disconnected device.

What score do I need?

60% earns Associate, 70% counts toward Practitioner and 80% counts toward Master.

Is the CDMP worth it?

It is the best-known vendor-neutral data management credential and is often listed in data governance job descriptions, especially in finance, healthcare and government.

CDMP vs CIMP or vendor data certs?

CDMP is broad and framework-based; vendor certs (Snowflake, Databricks, Microsoft) prove platform skills. Governance roles favor CDMP; engineering roles favor vendor certs.

Official page: dama.org. Reviewed November 2026. Vendors change fees and objectives, so confirm with the vendor before you book. Spot something out of date? Tell us.