Validates knowledge of data management, including governance, modeling, quality, metadata, architecture, integration and security, based on the DAMA-DMBOK.
311EntryHas prerequisites
Best DAMA Certifications in 2026
DAMA is a nonprofit, vendor-independent association for data management professionals, whose certification covers data governance, quality, architecture and other data management disciplines.
How DAMA certifications work
- Exam fee and format
- Every CDMP exam (Fundamentals or specialist) costs $311 and has 100 multiple-choice questions in 90 minutes (110 minutes for the ESL version). Exams are open book: you may use one book or your notes, not both.
- Levels and prerequisites
- There are no prerequisites to sit an exam. Your scores set your level: 60% on Fundamentals for Associate; 70% on Fundamentals and two specialist exams for Practitioner; 80% on all three plus a $50 CV review confirming 10+ years of experience for Master.
- Validity and renewal
- Each exam result counts toward a level for 3 years. CDMP is valid for 3 years; after that, renew each year in the DAMA member portal by paying a maintenance fee, attesting to your data management work and signing the DAMA Code of Ethics.
- Retakes and enrollment window
- Retakes are unlimited and cost $200 plus the proctoring fee; your highest mark counts. Take each exam within 12 months of purchase.
- Delivery
- Online with Honorlock proctoring, available anytime. Some DAMA chapters run in-person Pay-If-You-Pass events where you pay the exam fee only if you pass.