CCM (The Commission CCM & CDMS Exams)

The CCM application is $430 and includes both the application and exam fees; the application fee itself is non-refundable. Professionals who work for the Veterans Health Administration, plus active military personnel, pay a discounted $346, subject to proof of employment or military status. That discount cannot be combined with other offers.

The Commission does not list the criteria on its certification page; it points candidates to the CCM Certification Guide and a short 'CCM Eligibility at a Glance' snapshot, and specifically warns that the snapshot alone is not enough to determine eligibility. Read the full guide, then use the CCM Application Checklist to assemble documents before the window opens.

Exam applications are being accepted November 1 through January 31, 2027. The CCM is renewed every five years; the renewal application window is September 1 through November 30, 2026. Renewal is $299, or $250.75 at the VA rate, and requires 80 continuing education hours that are not included in that fee.

Start with the Body of Knowledge (BOK), the content reference behind the exam, which costs $199 per year for non-CCMs and $99 per year for CCMs. Then use the CCM Exam Practice Items and the CCM Quiz App to locate weak areas. The Certification 360 virtual workshop bundles 12 hours of education, a BOK subscription, and practice items.

Both options exist. The Commission publishes CCM Testing Information that walks through testing at a testing center versus testing remotely, so you can pick based on your location and schedule. Before you book, read the CCM Exam Guide, which sets out the rules and procedures that govern the examination.

Often, yes. In The Commission's published survey of CCMs, 62 percent of employers reimbursed the exam fee, 50 percent paid for it outright, 44 percent required the credential, and 43 percent paid for renewal. Ask whether your organization covers professional development, certification, or continuing education, and note that the CCM is approved for hospital Magnet Recognition status.

Yes. The Commission collaborates with the National Association of Social Workers: once you are approved for NASW's C-SWCM or C-ASWCM certification, you become eligible to sit for the CCM exam at no additional cost. NASW members who do not pursue that credential may still receive a discount through NASW; others apply directly to The Commission.

Veterans may be eligible for GI Bill reimbursement of fees associated with the CCM exam and certification renewal, and veterans, eligible dependents, and reservists may apply directly to the VA. Use discount code VA2016 when purchasing your application. The Commission publishes a VA Reimbursement Application with instructions for applying.

The Commission does not publish retake windows, retake fees, or waiting periods on its certification pages. The CCM Exam Guide contains the rules and procedures of the examination, and the Certification Guide covers application cycles, so read both before assuming a free second attempt and budget accordingly.

The Commission does not publish the item count, time limit, or passing score on these pages; those details sit in the CCM Exam Guide and the CCM Testing Information. Rather than plan around a rumored question count, build your schedule from the Body of Knowledge and use the exam practice items under timed conditions.