Taking the CMT exam is a good idea for nearly anyone looking to advance their career in technical analysis. Whether you are interested in risk management, research analysis, or investment strategy (or another job affected by market behavior, quantitative systems design, or behavioral finance), you can further your career with the CMT certification.

But before you take the leap, keep reading to learn about how much it costs to earn the CMT charter.

CMT Exam Fees Quick Facts

  • The first step to earning your CMT charter is enrolling in the CMT Program.
  • CMT exam fees are contingent upon when you register for the exams and if you are a CMT Association member.
  • You do not need to be a CMT Association member to sit for the exams.
  • The CMT exams are broken into three levels.
  • To increase your chances of passing each exam level on the first attempt, participants are encouraged to invest in quality study materials like Wiley CMT.

Ready to learn everything you need to know for the CMT exam?
Explore Wiley CMT course materials with full coverage of the official CMT® Curriculum.

CMT Fees for Becoming a Candidate

CMT candidates must pay several types of fees to take the CMT exam and become charterholders.

The four main costs associated with earning your CMT designation are listed below.

  1. CMT Program Enrollment Fee (One-Time-Only)
  2. Exam Registration Fees (One Fee Per Exam)
  3. Annual CMT Association Membership Fee (Optional Until Certified)
  4. Cost to Purchase the Official CMT Curriculum (Or Full CMT Exam Prep Course)

When registering for Level I of the CMT exam, you must pay a $250 one-time CMT Program enrollment fee in addition to your exam fee. Then each subsequent exam level has its own registration fee.

Note: exam fees vary based on when you register and whether you are a CMT Association member.

CMT Association membership is not required to sit for the exam, but once you pass, you must become a member to receive your certification. You must also remain a member of the CMT Association to keep your certification valid, so don’t forget to pay your annual dues.

Another cost CMT candidates will encounter is purchasing study materials. You can either purchase the official CMT Curriculum and develop your own study plan, or you can invest in a full CMT exam prep course that comes with a custom study plan and helpful study materials (like video lessons and practice questions).

CMT Exam Fees

Level I Exam Registration Fee $295 – $770
Level II Exam Registration Fee $495 – $1,070
Level III Exam Registration Fee $495 – $1,070
CMT Program Enrollment Fee (One-Time Fee) $250
CMT Association Membership Fee (Annual) (Optional) $325
CMT Official Curriculum or Exam Prep Course (Price Per Exam Level) $250 – $795
Total: $2,610 – $5,545

Passport or Other Approved Identification

The approved identification materials do vary by state. To confirm what will be accepted for your testing jurisdiction, check with the CMT Association prior to the testing date.

Enrolling in the CMT Program

To enroll in the CMT Program, you will need to register through the CMT Association website and pay the $250 enrollment fee. The fee is only for the CMT Program enrollment, not CMT Association membership. Once you are enrolled in the program, you will be prompted to register for the Level I exam.

You should not enroll in the CMT Program until you are ready to register for the CMT Level I exam.

CMT Level I Fees

Registration fees may be updated annually. Below are the 2023 rates for early, standard, and late registration for both members and non-members for the CMT Level I exam.

Registration

CMT Level I

Early (Member) $295
Early (Non-Member) $470
Standard (Member) $395
Standard (Non-Member) $570
Late (Member) $595
Late (Non-Member) $770

CMT Level II Fees

Compared to the CMT Level I exam, which is two hours and 132 multiple-choice questions, the Level II CMT exam is significantly longer, at four hours and 170 multiple-choice questions.

Registration

CMT Level II

Early (Member) $495
Early (Non-Member) $670
Standard (Member) $595
Standard (Non-Member) $770
Late (Member) $895
Late (Non-Member) $1,070

CMT Level III Fees

Like Level II, the CMT Level III exam is four hours and a combination of multiple-choice questions and short essays. The chart below lists pricing for early, standard, and late registrations for CMT Association members and non-members.

Registration

CMT Level III

Early (Member) $495
Early (Non-Member) $670
Standard (Member) $595
Standard (Non-Member) $770
Late (Member) $895
Late (Non-Member) $1,070

CMT Exam Prep Course Fees and Study Materials

As mentioned earlier, you have two options when it comes to CMT exam study materials:

  1. Purchase the Official CMT Curriculum to study on your own; or
  2. Invest in a full CMT exam review course like Wiley CMT (which includes the Official CMT Curriculum, a personalized study plan, video lessons, practice questions, and more).

Your materials and study plan will play a key role in whether you pass the CMT exam, so many candidates choose to upgrade to a full CMT exam prep course. The Wiley CMT course offers candidates hands-on practice as opposed to simply reading the curriculum itself. Wiley study materials include an exam planner, video lectures, 30-45-minute bite-sized lessons, test bank questions, and two full-length mock exams mimicking the Prometric CMT exam environment. These resources get you fully prepared for exam day and help you feel confident when you sit for each level of the CMT exam.

CMT Exam Study Material Cost (Cost Per Exam Level):

  1. Official CMT Curriculum
    1. Print Only: $250
    2. Print + Digital: $275

  2. Wiley CMT
    1. Wiley CMT Exam Review Course (including Official CMT Curriculum): $795
    2. Test Bank Only: $125

Wiley’s CMT® Exam Review is the only comprehensive prep package that includes a digital or print version of the Official Curriculum for self-study.

When you are ready to take the exam and earn your CMT designation, you can either sit for the exam in person or test remotely (at a Prometric Test Site or online using Prometric’s remote testing site, ProProctor). If you want to test remotely, you’ll have to meet certain environmental and technological requirements.

Remote testing environment requirements include testing in a room that is free from any third-party participants, all books and electronic devices must be removed, and proper lighting must be available. Additionally, testing participants will need a camera that is mobile and can show a 360-degree view of the space, have the latest downloadable version of Google’s Chrome browser, and meet the operating system requirements, to name a few.

For a full list of ProProctor requirements, visit the CMT Association website.

If you choose to utilize ProProctor, be aware that if you experience technical difficulties trying to get into the program to take your test, you may face forfeiting your exam fees. It is your responsibility to ensure the technology is set up and ready to go for exam day. Also, if the proctor determines your workspace is not acceptable for remote testing, the exam fees will also be forfeited.

Ready to start your journey to becoming a CMT? Get started today.

CMT Exam Fees – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about CMT exam fees.

  • The cost of the CMT exam will vary based on when you register and if you are a member of the CMT Association. The standard fees for CMT Association members total $1,835, which covers the CMT Program enrollment fee and the exam fees for Levels I, II, and III.
  • The CMT exam and accompanying charter are worth it if you are a finance professional interested in data and technical analysis to forecast trends and evaluate market data. It’s a great way to elevate your potential income and boost your reputation with a globally recognized credential that is both impressive and statistically easier to earn than the CFA.
  • The CMT exam is of reasonable difficulty with a pass rate hovering around 70%. The exam levels are arranged by difficulty, with the first level testing foundational concepts and theory and building to application being tested on the Level III exam. The more you study with the right materials, like the Wiley CMT review course, the more confident you will be on exam day.
  • The best way to study for the CMT exam is with a consistent study plan that covers the Official CMT Curriculum. Wiley CMT exam review is the only prep course on the market that includes the Official CMT Curriculum in addition to video lectures, 30-45-minute bite-sized lessons, a test bank, and mock exams.
  • A CMT charter is an internationally recognized designation proving your expertise in the discipline of technical analysis to help forecast financial trends. This designation boosts your chance of getting hired in analyst roles, even when competing with CFAs, and also boosts your salary threshold. Plus, earning your CMT opens you up to international career opportunities as it is recognized in over 130 countries.