Master only: 10+ years of data management experience
RequiredSubmit your CV for review after passing the exams at 80%. The review costs $50.
Certified Data Management Professional (CDMP)
Validates knowledge of data management, including governance, modeling, quality, metadata, architecture, integration and security, based on the DAMA-DMBOK.
Summary
CDMP is DAMA International's data management certification, based on the DAMA-DMBOK2 and aimed at people in data governance, quality and metadata work. It is vendor-neutral and has Associate, Practitioner and Master levels, so you can show deeper knowledge as you add specialist exams.
Good fit if
- You work in data governance, data quality, metadata or master data
- You want a vendor-neutral framework for data management knowledge
- You are aiming at data governance leadership, often in banking or government
Look elsewhere if
- You build data pipelines on a platform: AWS Data Engineer Associate
- You are new to data work: Data+
- Your focus is privacy programs: CIPM
Salary & jobs
Prerequisites
Cost
What holders say
Strongest in data governance and regulated industries
People in governance, policy or chief data officer tracks find it useful and sometimes named in postings, especially at banks, insurers and government. Data engineers say their hiring managers rarely know it.
Little recognition outside governance circles
Commenters describe it as situational, valuable where governance roles are common and invisible on a general resume screen.
Overlaps with a data management degree
A holder with a master's in information science found CDMP redundant with the degree. Others without that background say studying the DMBOK filled real gaps.
Renewal
CDMP is valid for 3 years, then you keep it active each year.
- Initial validity
- 3 years
- After that
- Annual renewal
- Renewal requirement
- Fee, activity attestation and Code of Ethics
Each year, log in to the DAMA member portal, pay the maintenance fee, confirm your ongoing data management work and sign DAMA's Code of Ethics.
CDMP renewal and maintenance ↗Alternatives
AWS Certified Data Engineer – Associate$150 required · Intermediate
For engineering roles that build pipelines, where a platform certification matches job postings more directly.
Data+$264 required · Entry
A cheaper, vendor-neutral entry point into working with data.
DP-900$99 required · Entry
Microsoft's entry-level cloud data certification.
CIPM$800 required · Intermediate
For privacy program management rather than broad data management.
FAQ
How much does CDMP cost?
Associate costs $311 for the Fundamentals exam. Practitioner needs two more specialist exams at $311 each ($933 in total), and Master adds a $50 CV review ($983).
Is the CDMP exam open book?
Yes. You may use one book or your own notes, not both, and in one format only. A digital copy must be on a separate device with no internet connection.
What score do I need for each CDMP level?
60% on Fundamentals for Associate; 70% on Fundamentals and two specialist exams for Practitioner; 80% on all three plus a CV review for Master.
Do I need experience to take the CDMP exam?
No. Anyone can take any exam. DAMA's experience ranges for Associate and Practitioner are guidelines; only Master checks 10+ years through a CV review.
Is CDMP worth it?
It is most useful in data governance, data quality and master data roles, especially in regulated industries. Data engineers report that recruiters rarely ask for it.
Last updated October 2026