Certified Defense Financial Manager (CDFM) Candidate Handbook - Updated October 1, 2024

Sep 26, 2026

Certified Defense Financial Manager (CDFM) Candidate Handbook provides guidance for individuals pursuing the CDFM or the CDFM-A certification under the Society of Defense Financial Management (SDFM). It outlines program background, eligibility expectations, certification process steps, examination format and security requirements, and available testing delivery options including online proctoring and test center administration. It also covers ADA accommodations, enrollment, exam payment and scheduling, VFME submission, reimbursement, recertification, and recourse for certified personnel changes.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages95

Reading Time3 h 59 min

AccessFree to download

Certification Overview

Introduction About SDFM

General Policies

Certification Process

STEP 1: Check Eligibility

STEP 2: Prepare for Examination

STEP 3: Enroll in the CDFM™ Program

STEP 4: Pay for Exams

STEP 5: Schedule Exams

STEP 6: Take Exams

STEP 7: Submit VFME

Appendices

Appendix A: SDFM Pledge of Professionalism

Appendix B: Fees

Appendix C: CDFM™ Program Enrollment Form

Appendix D: Suggested CDFM™ Exam Preparation Tools

Certified Defense Financial Manager ™(CDFM) Candidate Handbook Updated October 1, 2024 UD25 .3 All Rights Reserved. This Candidate Handbook is published by the Society of Defense Financial Management (SDFM) . All rights reserved. CDFM™ Candidate Handbook Table of Contents Certification Overview 2 Introduction About SDFM CDFM Program Background What is the CDFM/CDFM-A and Who Should Pursue It? The Value of CDFM/CDFM-A Certification OUSD(C) Accepts the CDFM as an Alternative to DFMCP Certification General Policies 4 Non-Discrimination Policy Contact Information Changes Name Changes Certification Process Flowchart ............................ 5 STEP 1: Check Eligibility .......................................... 6 STEP 2: Prepare for Examination ....................... 6 Examination Format Job Task Analysis & Content Validation Examination Specifications (Blueprints) • Module 1: Resource Management Environment • Module 2: Budget and Cost Analysis • Module 3: Accounting and Finance • Module 4: Acquisition Suggested CDFM Exam Preparation Tools STEP 3: Enroll in the CDFM™ Program ................7 CDFM Certification Agreement Initial Enrollment Enrollment Extensions STEP 4: Pay for Exams .......................................... 8 Testing Options STEP 5: Schedule Exams ....................................... 9 ADA Accommodations At-Home Online Proctored Testing (OnVUE) Pearson VUE Test Center Testing Special Arrangement Exam Testing STEP 6: Take Exams 12 Examination Security Policy At-Home Online Proctored Testing (OnVUE) Pearson VUE Test Center Testing Special Arrangement Exam Testing Tester Misconduct STEP 7: Submit VFME ............................................ 17 Certified! ................................................................... 17 What to Expect After Meeting All Certification Requirements Reimbursement Recertification Certified Retired Status Reinstatement of Inactive CDFMs Appendix A: SDFM Pledge of Professionalism......19 Appendix B: Fees.....................................................21 Appendix C: CDFM™ Program Enrollment Form ...................................................................... 23 Appendix D: Suggested CDFM™ Exam Preparation Tools ................................................26 Appendix E: CDFM™ Program Certification Agreement .......................................................... 30 Appendix F: CDFM™ Candidate Non-Disclosure Agreement................................33 Appendix G: Pearson VUE Candidate Rules Agreement .......................................................... 35 Appendix H: OnVUE Exam Policies and Procedures .......................................................... 38 Appendix I: Verification of Financial Management Experience (VFME) Form .............41 Appendix J: CDFM™ Recertification Policy ..........43 Appendix K: DFMCP Certification Requirement Alternatives ..........................................................57 Appendix L: 2024 CDFM™ Exam Blueprints ("Old"Exams)......................................................... 65 CDFM™ Certification Overview Introduction Thankyou foryour interest in the Certified Defense Financial Manager (CDFM) Certification Program provided by the Society of Defense Financial Management (SDFM), previously known as the American Society of Military Comptrollers (ASMC) . This candidate handbook is intended to support those interested in pursuing the CDFM or Certified Defense Financial Manager with Acquisition Specialty (CDFM-A) certification. If you have questions about this guide or any other part of the CDFM Certification Program, please contact us at: [Email:](Email: certification@sdfm.org)[ certification@sdfm.org](Email: certification@sdfm.org) Phone: (703) 549-0360 / (800) 462-5637 Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30am – 4:30pm ET It is the CDFM candidate’s responsibility to read and understand this entire handbook—i

FAQs

What certifications does the handbook support and who should pursue them?

The handbook supports the Certified Defense Financial Manager (CDFM) and the Certified Defense Financial Manager with Acquisition Specialty (CDFM-A). It is intended for candidates interested in pursuing either certification through SDFM.

What are the key steps in the CDFM certification process?

The process is presented as STEP 1 through STEP 7: check eligibility, prepare for the examination, enroll, pay for exams, schedule exams, take exams, and submit VFME. Each step includes requirements and related policies.

What testing options and accommodations are described for candidates?

The handbook describes at-home online proctored testing (OnVUE), Pearson VUE test center testing, and special arrangement exam testing. It also includes ADA accommodations and examination security expectations for remote and in-center testing.

Sep 26, 2026

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