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CRMA Exam Fees Breakdown: Is This $1000 Investment Worth It?
What is the CRMA certification cost? Is this investment worth it in the long run? Well, let’s look at a breakdown of the CRMA exam fees.
CRMA Exam Fees at a Glance
Here is a list of various CRMA certificate fees (in US dollars) for quick reference. You can find a further explanation below.
| Membership type | IIA |
Non-IIA |
Note |
| 1. Membership fee | $270 * | — | [1] |
| 2. Application | $95 | $210 | [2] |
| 3. Exam registration | $445 | $580 | [3] |
| Total | $810 | $790 |
* Membership fees vary in different countries. In the US, the fee ranges from $50 for students to $270 for regular professionals. Source: IIA
1. IIA Membership Fee
You don’t need to be an IIA member to take the CRMA exam (unless you live in Singapore—that’s the one exception). However, it makes sense for you to apply because the discount often offsets the membership fee.
The difference from the IIA CRMA exam alone may not justify the membership, but if you take the CIA exam into account, then you are definitely better off as an IIA member.
If we look beyond the monetary benefits, joining the membership keeps you up to date on industry news and enhances your networking effort in the community.
2. Exam Application Fees
Unlike the membership, this application fee is mandatory. You get a reduced price as an IIA member.
For now, this application fee is valid for 4 years. If one fails to pass the CRMA within this period and would like to try again, he/she must pay again.
However, the IIA announced some CRMA changes that were implemented in mid-2021. Now that the CRMA 2021 program updates have been implemented, the application fee is valid for 2 years instead of 4.
3. Exam Registration Fee
Candidates must this registration fee each time they sit for the exam. The fee is the same for first-timers and retakers.
Optional CRMA Exam Costs
Most candidates get a copy of the CRMA Exam Study Guide and the CRMA practice questions, which cost about $99 each. Click here to learn more about these materials.
Some candidates may need to travel to another city or even country to take the exam. In this case, travel and accommodation costs should be counted in the budget.
How Big Is the Investment?
For a typical candidate, including IIA membership, the cost is about $810 (for IIA membership, application, and registration) + $200 (for review materials and travel) = Around $1,000
This amount does not include the cost of taking the CIA exam and becoming a CIA holder, which is part of the CRMA exam requirements. Please refer to this page for CIA exam expenses.
For Your Further Reading
Check out our CRMA master page for further information on this exam.
About the Author Stephanie
I am the author of How to Pass The CPA Exam (published by Wiley) and the publisher of this and several accounting professional exam prep sites.
