Certified Professional Contract Manager (CPCM)

The actions that are taken by the contract manager to produce solicitations, develop offers, establish contracts, perform contracts, and close contracts are referred to as contract management. NCMA Certified Professional Contract Manager (CPCM) holders, on the other hand, are experts who have mastered the Contract Management Body of Knowledge’s competencies (CMBOK). The CPCM certification aids in:

Firstly, sets you apart from others in your profession.
Then, helps you achieve your professional goals.
Also, shows that you are committed to maintaining the highest level of professionalism.

Obtaining and maintaining the Certified Professional Contract Manager certification is a significant milestone in your professional development. Moreover, the certification attests to the combined knowledge, skills, and abilities of government and commercial buyers and sellers, as well as academics, regulatory authorities, and consultants.

Target Audience

NCMA Certified Professional Contract Manager (CPCM) exam is intended for the following:

Firstly, buyers and sellers who participate in government-to-business (federal, state, and local) and business-to-business (small, medium, and large) contract and subcontract activities;
Then, buyers interested in understanding how their actions impact sellers and sellers interested in understanding how their actions impact buyers; and
Professionals in contract management who have a general material interest in contract management (e.g., scholars, consultants, researchers, regulatory authorities, representatives of accrediting organizations, representatives of other organizations, etc.)

Exam Eligibility Criteria

NCMA has led down the following criteria for the candidate to be eligible to attempt the CPCM exam:

Primarily, a Bachelor’s Degree.
Further, degrees from outside the United States must be evaluated by an independent third party, such as World Education Services, Scholaro, Credit Eval, Info Check USA, or SpanTran.
Moreover, 5 years of work experience in contract management or related field.
And lastly, a minimum of 120 hours of CPE/CLP (checkout Continuing Professional Education (CPE) Guide for details).

Certified Professional Contract Manager (CPCM) Exam Details

Exam Name	Certified Professional Contract Manager
Exam Format	Multiple Choice Questions
Time Duration	4 hours
Total Number of Questions	180 (out of which 30 are scenario-based)
Passing Score	70%
Exam Fees	$125 (US & Canada) $150 (Rest others)
Mode of Exam	Computer-based

Certified Professional Contract Manager (CPCM) FAQ’s

To get all of your queries resolved with CPCM exam FAQ’s

Exam Retake Policy

Candidates who do not receive a passing score must wait for at least 30 days before retaking the exam. Then, if the exam is not passed on the 2nd attempt, candidates must wait for at least 60 days before retaking the exam. Later, if the exam is not passed on the 3rd attempt candidates must wait for at least 90 days, AND, a new application and fee must be submitted.

Exam Re-certification Policy

Immediately upon certification, the 5-year recertification cycle starts. Thereby, to continue to be a CPCM in good standing, you are required to earn 60 Continuing Professional Education (CPE) and recertify by December 31 following 5 full years of certification. For instance, if you earn the CPCM any time in 2020, you must recertify by December 31, 2025. Following this same example, the next recertification cycle will end on December 31, 2030.

CPCM Certified Professional Contract Manager Course Outline

The Certified Professional Contract Manager (CPCM) covers the following topics –

CMBOK Competencies	CPCM Knowledge Content Areas
1.0 Leadership 1.1 Competence 1.2 Character 1.3 Collaboration 1.4 Vision	K1.0 Leadership Knowledge Content Area K1.1 Oral and Written Communication Techniques K1.2 Effective Listening Techniques K1.3 Self-Awareness Techniques K1.4 Team Leadership Techniques K1.5 Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Techniques K1.6 Networking Techniques K1.7 Decision Making Techniques K1.8 Critical Thinking Techniques K1.9 Conflict Management Techniques K1.10 Succession Planning Techniques
2.0 Management 2.1 Business Management 2.2 Financial Management 2.3 Project Management 2.4 Risk Management 2.5 Supply Chain Management	K2.0 Management Knowledge Content Area K2.1 Management Tools and Techniques K2.2 Generally Accepted Accounting Principles K2.3 Analysis of Financial Statements K2.4 Principles of Budgeting K2.5 Principles of Economics K2.6 Principles of Marketing K2.7 Life Cycle Management K2.8 Principles of Financial Management K2.9 Principles of Project Management K2.10 Risk Analysis and Mitigation Strategies K2.11 Principles of Supply Chain Management
3.0 Guiding Principles 3.1 Skills and Roles 3.2 Contract Principles 3.3 Standards of Conduct 3.4 Regulatory Compliance 3.5 Situational Assessment 3.6 Team Dynamics 3.7 Communication and Documentation	K3.0 Guiding Principles Knowledge Content Area K3.1 Defining Team Roles and responsibilities K3.2 Problem-Solving Techniques K3.3 Strategic Planning and Execution K3.4 Forms of Legal Relationships K3.5 Organizational Regulations, Codes, Policies, and Procedures K3.6 Professional Standards of Conduct and Codes of Ethics K3.7 Classes of Agents K3.8 Basis of Authority of Agents to Act K3.9 Contract Law K3.10 Contract Funding Laws, Policies, and Procedures K3.11 Intellectual Property
4.0 Pre-Award Domain A: Develop Solicitation 4.1 Plan Solicitation 4.2 Request Offers Domain B: Develop Proposal 4.3 Plan Sales 4.4 Prepare Offer	K4.0 Pre-Award Knowledge Content Area K4.1 Requirements Identification Techniques K4.2 Elements of Planning K4.3 Market Research Techniques and Tools K4.4 Life Cycle Management K4.5 Performance-Based Acquisition K4.6 Unique Organizational Pre-Award Practices K4.7 Electronic Contracting Tools K4.8 Organizational and Personal Conflict of Interest Identification and Mitigation Strategies K4.9 Types of Contracts K4.10 Other Contracts, Agreements, and Arrangements K4.11 Methods to Solicit Offers K4.12 Contract Incentives K4.13 Contract Financing Options K4.14 Legal Entity Structures K4.15 Elements of a Solicitation Package K4.16 Elements of a Proposal Package K4.17 Proposal Evaluation Factors K4.18 Owner-Provided Property
5.0 Award Domain C: Form Contract 5.1 Cost or Price Analysis 5.2 Plan Negotiations 5.3 Select Source 5.4 Manage Disagreements	K5.0 Award Knowledge Content Area K5.1 Contract Negotiation Strategies and Tactics K5.2 Proposal Evaluation Techniques K5.3 Unique Organizational Award Practices K5.4 Pricing and Payments K5.5 Price and Cost Analysis K5.6 Contract Format Methods K5.7 Documentation Techniques to Mitigate Risk
6.0 Post-Award Domain D: Perform Contract 6.1 Administer Contract 6.2 Ensure Quality 6.3 Manage Subcontracts 6.4 Manage Changes Domain E: Close Contract 6.5 Close Out Contract	K6.0 Post-Award Knowledge Content Area K6.1 Types of Contract Changes K6.2 Contract Change Management K6.3 Elements of a Subcontract Package K6.4 Subcontract Management Techniques K6.5 Legal Dispute Resolution K6.6 Alternate Dispute Resolution Methods K6.7 Forms of Contract Termination K6.8 Unique Organizational Post-Award Practices K6.9 Inspection and Acceptance K6.10 Quality Assurance Principles K6.11 Quality Management Principles K6.12 Types of Audits K6.13 Contract Close-Out Procedures
7.0 Learn 7.1 Continuous Learning 7.2 Individual Competence 7.3 Organizational Capability	K7.0 Learn Knowledge Content Area K7.1 Career Planning and Development K7.2 Professional Development Techniques K7.3 Goal Setting K7.4 Skills Gap Analysis K7.5 Developing a Learning Organization K7.6 SWOT Analysis K7.7 Knowledge Transfer Evaluation Techniques K7.8 Life Balance Tools and Techniques

Certified Professional Contract Manager Study Guide

Before you get started, you must refer to the following preparatory guide that mentions all the relevant and possible learning resources that are ideally required for the exam preparation.

Review the Exam Objectives

Check out the CPCM Handbook, to have a better view of the exam guide. Assessing and analyzing the handbook will let you align yourself more deeply with the chief objectives of the exam. Furthermore, you will be able to achieve the necessary command to obtain your desired qualification. The objectives of the exam are outlined below.

Firstly, Leadership
Secondly, Management
Thirdly, Guiding Principles
Furthermore, Pre-Award
Then, Award
And then, Post-Award
Lastly, Learn

Contract Management Body of Knowledge

The Contract Management Body of Knowledge (Sixth Edition) provides a common understanding of the terminology, practices, policies, and processes used in contract management. It provides you with broader and deeper explanations of the competencies found in the Contract Management Standard, which is accredited by the American National Standards Institute.

Online Classroom

If you prefer organized exam preparation, the Certified Professional Contract Manager Online Course offers a complete 10-week online, instructor-led course. Completing weekly readings and assignments, participating in discussion groups, watching videos and recorded classes, and taking mock examinations are all ways you’ll learn. All of the materials for the Certified Professional Contract Manager training course may be read and reviewed at any time and from any location with an internet connection, allowing you to fit your studies around your busy schedule.

Evaluate yourself with Practice Tests

Gauge your strengths and weaknesses by practicing sample papers. Before the actual certification exam, indeed, it is highly recommended to give practice tests. It will help you determine your skills and preparation, making you familiar with the exam pattern. Assess your knowledge and evaluate yourself with the latest and updated practice tests that TestPrepTraining offers you for FREE!