CGFM Process
How do I apply for the CGFM program?
Visit Certification Process for more information on certification requirements and applying online.
How much is the CGFM application fee?
The non-refundable CGFM application fee is $90 for AGA members ($36 for student members), and $120 for nonmembers. You can pay it online when submitting your CGFM application form.
Do I have to be an AGA member to apply for the CGFM?
No. AGA membership offers many valuable benefits, but it is not required for the CGFM designation.
What is the education requirement for the CGFM?
You must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. Please see Education Requirement for more information.
I don’t have a bachelor’s degree. What do I do?
The bachelor’s degree requirement is not waived. Please see Education Requirement if you are within one year of graduation with a bachelor’s degree.
What do I send as proof of my bachelor’s degree?
A copy of your official transcript from an accredited college or university is required before any CGFM examinations can be taken. The official transcript must clearly state your name, the name of college or university, the fact that a degree (bachelor’s or higher) was conferred, and the date the degree was awarded. You can upload your transcript in My Path to CGFM. Please see Education Requirement for more information.
What is the experience requirement for the CGFM?
Certification candidates must have at least two years of professional-level experience in government financial management prior to being awarded the CGFM credential. The experience requirement is not necessary to sit for the examinations; however, documentation of professional experience must be filed and approved by AGA before the CGFM designation can be granted, and the certificate is issued. For more information, please see Professional Experience Requirement.
I don’t have the required experience. Can I still apply for the CGFM now?
Yes. The experience requirement does not have to be satisfied at the time of application. The CGFM Work Verification Form can be submitted after passing the CGFM examinations.
I’ve submitted the CGFM application form and proof of my degree. What do I do next?
Wait for your eligibility letter from AGA. It is usually sent out within one to two weeks of receipt of your CGFM application. Please see Certification Process for more information.
How long is the eligibility period?
You have 18 months from the date your application is processed to pass the three CGFM examinations.
My eligibility period ends soon, and I have not completed all of the CGFM examinations. Can I get an extension?
If your eligibility period ends before you pass all three CGFM examinations, you will need to reapply and pass all the examinations again. Extensions of eligibility may be granted to individuals who passed some, but not all, of their examinations before the end of their eligibility period. No extensions will be granted to individuals who have not passed any of their CGFM examinations. To request an extension of eligibility, contact AGA’s Office of Professional Certification 30 days before the expiration of your eligibility period via email at agacgfm@agacgfm.org.
I recently passed all three CGFM exams, but am still working on completing my experience requirement. May I put that on my resume and/or cover letter?
While we understand your desire to let potential employers know about your success, please be careful as to not present yourself as a CGFM until you’ve completed all of the CGFM requirements and received an official AGA award letter. It must be clear from your resume that you are not yet a CGFM. Therefore, any mention of CGFM should read: “Passed three CGFM examinations, in the process of completing the final requirement towards the CGFM certification.”
I recently passed all three CGFM exams, and have submitted my completed CGFM work verification form to AGA. May I use “CGFM” after my name now?
While we appreciate the excitement of completing the last CGFM requirement, please note that the CGFM designation may not be used until you’ve received an official AGA award letter. If you have not heard from AGA within three weeks, please contact the Office of Professional Certification at agacgfm@agacgfm.org or 800.AGA.7211.
Studying for CGFM Examinations
What is the best way to study for the CGFM examinations?
The best way to study depends on your knowledge, experience, time, individual preferences and location constraints. Start by reviewing the contents of each examination in the Examination Requirement section. Then review each of the choices in Preparing for Examinations section.
Do I have to apply for the CGFM program before taking the courses?
No, you can take instructor-led courses at any time.
What book can I buy to study for the examinations?
AGA has three study guides to help you study for the three CGFM examinations: Examination 1: Governmental Environment, Examination 2: Governmental Accounting, Financial Reporting and Budgeting and for Examination 3: Governmental Financial Management and Control. See CGFM Study Guides for FAQs about the study guides. For an additional list of resources, go to CGFM Study References.
Are there sample examination questions?
Yes, sample CGFM examination questions are available in the Examination Requirement section.
Purchasing and Taking CGFM Examinations
What is the cost of CGFM examinations and how do I pay for them?
The cost is $150 per examination. There are three examinations: Governmental Environment Examination; Governmental Accounting, Financial Reporting and Budgeting Examination; and Governmental Financial Management and Control Examination. Go to Examination Scheduling and Procedures section for more information.
How often are the examinations offered?
They are offered all year round through a network of Pearson Professional Testing Centers or at your location through OnVUE online proctoring. See Examination Scheduling and Procedures section for more information.
How do I schedule my examination appointment?
Follow the instructions on your eligibility letter or on the Examination Scheduling and Procedures page to register with Pearson VUE, pay your examination fees and schedule your testing appointments.
Am I required to take all three examinations even though I have other certifications?
Yes. All applicants are required to take all three examinations regardless of their other credentials or past experience.
Do I have to take all three examinations at the same time or in any particular order?
No. Examinations can be taken in any order.
How long are the exams?
Each examination has 115 questions. You are given two hours and 15 minutes to complete each exam.
I did not pass. How do I retake the examination?
If you do not pass the exam the first time, you must wait 30 days before you can retake this examination. Please follow the same steps as with the original purchase. The cost is the same ($150). If you don’t pass a second time, there is a 60-day waiting period between retakes. There is no limit to how many times you can retake the exam, as long as you are within your eligibility period.
Will I get a numerical score for taking the CGFM examination?
Upon completing each CGFM examination, you will receive an immediate pass/fail result. Individuals who passed an exam will receive a report that states “you have passed”; individuals who did not pass will receive a report that lists their scaled score and their level of performance in each content area. A scaled score reports an examination score on a scale that is linked to the raw score. CGFM examinations are using a scale of 200-700, with 500 as the passing score.
Maintaining CGFM
What are the requirements for maintaining my CGFM?
To retain the designation, a CGFM holder must:
- Pay the applicable CGFM renewal fee by the due date every year.
- Adhere to the AGA Code of Ethics.
- Complete at least 80 hours of continuing professional education (CPE) every two years in government financial management topics or related technical subjects (within the designated two-year cycle), including 4 hours in ethics. See CPE Requirements and Calendar of CPE cycles for more information.
Maintain and, if requested by AGA, provide detailed information on CPE hours completed. See Maintaining Certification for more information.
I did not renew last year. What do I do?
Your CGFM is now inactive. Please visit the Maintaining Certification page to find out how you can reactivate your certification.
How can I calculate my two-year CPE cycle?
Your first CPE cycle starts on Jan. 1 of the year following the one when your CGFM is earned. The date of receiving your designation is listed on your CGFM certificate or in My CGFM.
How many CPEs do I need to renew?
CGFMs must earn at least 80 hours of continuing professional education (CPE) every two years, including 4 hours in ethics. If CGFMs do not have 80 hours completed by the end of their two-year cycle, they can use the three months immediately following their cycle (January 1 – March 31) to make up any deficiency. Any CPE hours completed toward a deficiency in one cycle should be documented in their CPE records and may not be counted toward the requirements for the next two-year cycle. See CPE Requirements for more information.
Where and how do I send in my CPEs?
You do not need to send any evidence of CPEs to AGA at the time you renew your certification. By submitting the renewal payment for your CGFM certification, you affirm your agreement and compliance with CPE requirements. CGFMs are required to maintain supporting documentation on CPE hours earned for a minimum of three years and provide it to AGA upon request.
Will AGA send me my CGFM renewal information?
Yes. At the beginning of each year (January-February) an AGA/CGFM renewal invoice will be sent. Contact AGA’s Office of Professional Certification if you have an address change or if you have not received an annual invoice by the end of February. Please note: It is the responsibility of each CGFM to pay the annual CGFM renewal fee, even if that individual did not receive an invoice from AGA.
I have been a CGFM for two years and I have not received any AGA member benefits thus far.
Becoming a CGFM is separate from AGA membership. If you are a CGFM, it does not automatically mean that you are a member of AGA. Contact AGA at 800.AGA.7211 to get membership information, or visit the Membership section of the website.
I just retired. What do I have to do to retain the CGFM?
Individuals who have permanently retired from AND are not working in the field of financial management can request an adjustment of their status to “retired” by contacting AGA’s Office of Professional Certification (by mail or e-mail at cgfm@agacgfm.org). Please visit the Maintaining Certification page for more information on CGFM retired status.
I earned my CGFM in April of this year. Will the CPE hours I earn this year count towards my first CPE cycle?
No. The first CPE cycle starts on January 1 of the year following the one in which your CGFM designation was earned. Any hours earned during the year your CGFM is awarded do not count towards the first CPE cycle. There is also no carry-over from one cycle to another.
Is there a minimum number of CPE hours I have to earn every year?
No. The requirement is 80 hours every two years. CGFMs are encouraged to earn CPE hours throughout their two-year cycle.
I am short in my last cycle and heard I can use the first three months of the following year as a grace period to catch up. Do I need to request this exception?
No. There is no need to request an exception if you plan to catch up during the grace period. CGFMs who have not completed the required number of CPE hours for any two-year CPE cycle will automatically have the three months (January 1 – March 31) immediately following the two-year cycle to make up the deficiency. Any CPE hours completed toward a deficiency in one CPE cycle must be documented in the CPE records and may not be counted toward the requirements for the next two-year cycle.
I need to request an exception from the CPE requirement. Is there a deadline?
Yes. The deadline is April 30, following the completion of the two-year cycle. Please see Section 4 of the CGFM CPE Requirements for more information.
I did not earn enough hours in my last CPE cycle that ended last year and I don’t qualify for an exception. Can I renew my CGFM this year?
No. The CGFM renewal fee serves as the CGFM’s affirmation of his or her compliance with the CPE requirements.
Do the CPE hours that count towards CGFM have to be NASBA-certified?
No. The CGFM program does not require the programs to be NASBA-certified, although that usually indicates that the organization has followed the industry standards in offering the CPE courses.
Can I get CPE hours for reading a professional journal or watching a professional video/webinar?
Possibly, if the CPE hours are offered by the provider of the self-study activity. CGFM participants in correspondence or individual study programs can be granted CPE hours when they satisfactorily complete the program (this often involves a test at the end of the program). The CPE provider must provide documentation that confirms completion of the program by the CGFM, and the number of CPE hours granted for completing the program (or the actual time of the completed program that can be used to calculate the number of CPE hours).
Is there a limit on the number of hours I can get for self-study activities (as opposed to live training)?
No. CGFM participants in correspondence or individual study programs can be granted CPE hours when they satisfactorily complete the program. The CPE provider must provide documentation that confirms completion of the program by the CGFM, and the number of CPE hours granted for completing the program (or the actual time of the completed program that can be used to calculate the number of CPE hours).
Can I get 45 CPEs for teaching a three-credit (semester) college course during my CPE cycle?
No. The maximum number of CPE hours that may be granted to an individual as a speaker, instructor, discussion leader or course developer may not exceed 40 hours for any two-year period. Please see Section 15 of CGFM CPE Requirements for more information on earning hours as a speaker, instructor, discussion leader or course developer.
Can I get 35 CPEs for publishing a book during my CPE cycle?
No. The maximum number of CPE hours that may be granted to an individual for published writings may not exceed 20 hours for any two-year period. Please see Section 15 of CGFM CPE Requirements for more information on earning hours for published work.
Can I get CPEs for taking CGFM courses if I already hold a CGFM?
Possibly. Basic or elementary courses in topics and subjects in which the CGFM already has the necessary knowledge and skills, and that served as the initial basis for qualification as a CGFM, generally do not qualify for CGFM CPE. However, these types of courses may be acceptable in cases where they are deemed necessary as a “refresher” course to enhance the CGFM’s proficiency. Such refresher courses may only be taken once during the two-year period.
Can I count individual courses that are less than 50 minutes in length?
No. Fifty minutes is the minimum number for any given individual program. At conferences and conventions where individual presentations are less than and/or more than 50 minutes, the sum of the presentations should be considered as one total program.
How do I calculate CPEs if the provider uses CEUs?
You need to first convert the CEUs to minutes and then divide the number of minutes by 50 to arrive at the number of CPEs. When the total minutes of a presentation are more than 50, but not equally divisible by 50, the CPE hours must be rounded down to the nearest one-half hour.
Is the spreadsheet showing which courses I took sufficient as my CPE documentation?
No. CGFMs are required to maintain supporting backup documentation on CPE hours earned for a minimum of three years and provide it to AGA upon request. The CPE documentation requirements are described in Section 16 of the CGFM CPE Requirements. This documentation may be requested by AGA as part of the annual audit of a random sample of CGFMs.
What information must be included in the CPE backup documentation?
The CGFM’s records must include the following information for each CPE program or activity attended or completed:
- the sponsoring organization (for example, AGA National Office, a local AGA chapter);
- the title of the program, including subject matter, field of study or a brief description of its contents;
- the dates attended for group programs or dates completed for individual study programs;
- the number of CPE hours earned; and
- evidence of attendance or completion.
I did not receive a certificate of completion from the provider. What can I use as backup documentation?
While a certificate of completion is preferred, other acceptable documentation includes:
- an official letter from the event sponsor or your employer certifying that you have attended the event, which lists all of the required information (your name, sponsoring organization, title of the program, completion date and number of CPE hours earned).
- an official report from your employer, which has the employer’s name and lists all of the required information (your name, sponsoring organization, title of the program, completion date and number of CPE hours earned).
Can I use a paid registration for an event as backup documentation for CPEs?
No. Documentation received prior to the training event, including a paid registration, is not acceptable as the supporting documentation.
If you have a question that’s not listed here, contact the Office of Professional Certification at agacgfm@agacgfm.org.