CIPM Program and Testing Policies
When you register for an exam, remember that you must comply with all exam rules and regulations, including the policies below, the candidate responsibility statement, and instructions at the exam site.
Candidates who violate these conditions may have their exam results voided and may be suspended or expelled from the CIPM program.
Specific instructions and further details will be provided when you schedule an exam with Pearson VUE.
ID Policy Change
The CIPM program identification policy changed, effective 1 January 2011. Find out how this could impact you.
CIPM Calculator PolicyCIPM Calculator Policy
Only two calculator models are authorized for use during CIPM program exams:
- Texas Instruments BA II Plus (including BA II Plus Professional)
- Hewlett Packard 12C (including the HP 12C Platinum, 12C 25th anniversary edition, and 12C 30th anniversary edition)
Both authorized models are widely available through retail stores or online. Buy an approved calculator early so you can practice using it as you study.
Bring the approved calculator with you on exam day; calculators will not be available at the test center.
Find a Texas Instruments calculator distributor or purchase online.
Find a Hewlett Packard calculator distributor or purchase online.
Please note that CFA Institute does not profit from the sales of these calculators. CFA Institute does not endorse, warrant, or guarantee the calculators or any other products or services provided by these distributors.
CFA Institute strictly enforces all policies with regard to calculator usage during the exams and candidates are required to abide by the policies of CFA Institute.
Your calculator will be inspected prior to the start of the exam. Your calculator must remain on your desk in full view and proctors will continue to inspect calculators throughout the administration of the exam. Possession or use of an unauthorized calculator at the test center will result in the voiding of your exam results and may lead to the suspension or termination of your candidacy in the CIPM program. Failure by the proctors to detect an unauthorized calculator prior to the start of the exam, or your use of an unauthorized calculator at any time during the exam, does not imply that the calculator is an approved model or that your scores will ultimately be reported.
Calculator covers, keystroke cards, and loose batteries are permitted in the testing room; instruction manuals are not. You may keep a small screwdriver with you if necessary to replace batteries in the BA II Plus.
CIPM Candidate Pledge Policy
CIPM Program Candidate Pledge Policy
At the test center, your agreement to abide by the candidate pledge is required in order to take the exam. Ensure that you understand the CIPM Program Candidate Pledge in its entirety.
Note that candidate fees are non-refundable, non-deferrable, and non-transferable, should you choose not to continue with the exam.
Sample Candidate Pledge (may vary on exam day)
I certify, understand, and agree to the following conditions:
- All exam materials, including my answers, are the property of CFA Institute and will not be given to me in any form except on the exam itself.
- My violation of any rules of the CIPM program will result in CFA Institute voiding my exam results and may lead to suspension or termination of my candidacy in the CIPM program.
- Prior to this exam, I have neither given nor received any information regarding the questions on the exam.
- During this exam I will not use reference materials or scratch paper (writing paper, calculator keystroke card, or any other surface) other than the dry erase board provided to me by the exam proctor.
- I will use only the Texas Instruments BAII Plus calculator (including Professional and Business Analysis) or Hewlett Packard 12C calculator (including 12C Platinum) with memory function cleared prior to the start of the exam.
- I will neither give nor receive any assistance throughout the exam process.
- I will not remove any exam materials from the exam room in any form except for what I was permitted to bring in.
- After this exam, I will not disclose any portion of this exam not already disclosed by CFA Institute.
CIPM Expert Level Formula Policy
CIPM Expert Level Formula Policy
Certain formulas in the Expert curriculum need not be memorized because they will be accessible on the computer screen during the exam. If an item set requires calculations using one or more of the formulas listed below, the appropriate formulas will appear as pop-up exhibits in the related item set questions. This policy applies only to the formulas listed below. You are responsible for memorizing all other formulas used in the Expert curriculum.
The specified formulas will be shown exactly as they appear in the attached PDF document.
CIPM Expert Level Formula Policy (PDF)
This policy applies only to the formulas listed in the PDF document above. The candidate is responsible for memorizing all other formulas used in the CIPM Expert curriculum.
CIPM Identification PolicyCIPM Program Identification Policy
(Effective 1 January 2011)
CFA Institute requires an international travel passport* from every candidate. This policy sets forth one global standard, in the form of a single document that is both internationally obtainable and recognizable, that allows us to confirm the identity of our candidates, and to ensure that all candidates receive identical treatment during the exam day admissions process.
This policy applies to all new and returning candidates, and is strictly enforced.
It is your responsibility to read and understand the instructions and requirements below.
- You must enter and verify your valid international travel passport* information to enroll in and register for the CIPM program.
- If your passport information changes (e.g., name, passport number, country of issuance), you must update your CFA Institute account (PDF).
- You must present your international travel passport* on exam day, and the name†, date of birth, passport number, expiration date, and country of issuance on your passport must match exactly the information you provided to CFA Institute.
- On exam day, if you do not present a valid international travel passport or the information in our records does not match the information on your passport, you will not be permitted to take the exam and you will forfeit your registration fee. Failure by proctors to detect an invalid passport does not imply the passport is valid or that your results will ultimately be reported.
Is Your International Travel Passport Valid?
In order for your passport to be considered valid it must:
- Be a current (not expired) international travel passport*
- Include a recognizable photograph on the passport data page.
- Contain your name†, date of birth, passport number, expiration date, and country of issuance. How to locate this information on your passport (PDF).
- Exactly match the information you provided to CFA Institute.
- Be an original document. Photocopies will not be accepted.
*An international travel passport is a document issued by a national government which certifies, for the purpose of international travel, the identity and nationality of its holder. It is the only acceptable form of identification for the CIPM program. Passport cards, national identification cards, limited travel documents, and internal passports are not valid forms of identification for the CIPM program. Read more detailed information.
†Name Variations
Name on Passport
|
Name on Pearson VUE Roster
|
| Doe Maria Jane |
Maria Jane Doe |
| Maria Jane Doe |
Jane Maria Doe |
MARIA JANE DOE
|
Maria Jane Doe
|
Maria Jane Doé
|
Maria Jane Doe
|
CIPM Personal Belongings PolicyCIPM Personal Belongings Policy
You are strongly encouraged to leave your personal belongings at home or in your car. As a courtesy, your test center will have an area away from the testing room designated for personal belongings. If testing personnel find items that are not permitted in the testing room, you will be required to place them in the personal belongings area. You will not have access to these items during the exam.
Please note that it is not the responsibility of the testing personnel to ensure the safety of the materials in the personal belongings area. Neither CFA Institute nor the test center, testing personnel, or vendors will assume responsibility or liability for stolen, lost, or damaged personal property left in this area.
The following items are permitted in the testing room but must be kept in full view on your desk when not in use:
- Approved calculator
- Calculator cases and keystroke cards
- Eyeglasses
No other items are permitted in the testing room, including:
- Food or drinks
- Wallet (money purse)
- Baggage of any kind, including transparent bags, backpacks, handbags, tote bags, briefcases, luggage, carrying cases, passport covers, or eyeglass cases
- Study materials, including notes, papers, textbooks, or study guides
- Writing utensils, scratch paper, or calculator manuals
- Mobile phones, MP3 players, cameras, pagers, headsets, computers, electronic organizers, personal data assistants, or any other remote communication or photographic devices
- Any type of desk clock or timer, including wristwatches
You will be provided with a whiteboard/erasable writing tablet for use during the exam.
CIPM Principles Level Formula Policy
CIPM Princples Level Formula Policy
No formulas will be provided on the computer screen during the exam. Candidates sitting for the Principles Exam will need to know and be able to apply all formulas.
Policy Changes
CFA Institute may change its conditions, requirements, policies, and procedures governing the CIPM program and CFA Institute membership from time to time. Candidates and members are required to adhere to the revised conditions, requirements, policies, and procedures, which will be published in various CFA Institute publications, including the CFA Institute Bylaws, and on this website.
Notify Us
If you have witnessed or know of a violation of the CIPM program exam policies by a candidate, we encourage you to report violations here.