Introduction
The Certified Data Management Professional (CDMP) credential is awarded to those who qualify based on a combination of criteria including education, experience and test-based examination of professional level knowledge. This credential is offered at the Mastery or Practitioner level. To maintain certified status and continued use of the credential, an annual re-certification fee along with a 3-year cycle of continuing education and professional activity is required.
The Data Management Association International (DAMA) authorizes the Certified Data Management Professional certification program and granting of the CDMP designation in partnership with the Institute for Certification of Computing Professionals (ICCP), which administers testing and re-certification. This document outlines the requirements for obtaining the CDMP.
CDMP Application Form (Download PDF Document)
CDMP FAQ
CDMP Examination Criteria
Three ICCP exams must be passed with the following scores:
| Score | Credential Earned |
|---|---|
| Pass all exams at 50% or higher | CDMP Practitioner Certificate |
| Pass all exams at 70% or higher | CDMP Mastery Certificate |
The CDMP Practitioner certification is awarded to professionals who scored above 50% on all three exams. These individuals can contribute as a team member on assigned tasks for they have a working knowledge of concepts, skills and techniques in a particular data specialization.
The CDMP Mastery certification is awarded to professionals who scored 70% or higher on all three exams. These individuals have the ability to lead and mentor a team of professionals as they have mastered the concepts, skills and practices of their data specialization.
Exams may be retaken to improve your score and go from the Practitioner to the Mastery certificate level.
Additional CDMP Certification Criteria
The following criteria must also be met in order to qualify for the CDMP:
| CDMP Practitioner Certificate | CDMP Mastery Certificate | |
|---|---|---|
| # Years Data Professional Work Experience | 2 | 4+ |
| Substitute Up to 2 Years –Bachelor or Master Degree in an appropriate discipline for Work Experience | 2 | 2 |
| Recertification Required | Yes | Yes |
| Continuing Professional Education/Activity Required | 120 hours every 3-year cycle | 120 hours every 3-year cycle |
| ICCP Code of Ethics | Yes | Yes |
Example Qualifications – CDMP
Other qualifications may be accepted. Check with the DAMA contacts or ICCP office.
Education
Sample degree types are listed below. Other degrees and majors may be accepted.
Bachelor of Science Degree
Major In
- Computer Science
- Information Systems
- Management Information Systems
- Information and Communications Technology
- Major in another discipline with minor in any of the above
Masters Degree
- Computer Science
- Information Systems
- Information Resource Management
- Information and Communications Technology
- MBA with concentration in one of the above
Work Experience
Sample qualifying position/role titles:
- VP, Director, or Manager of Data Management
- Data Architect, Data Administrator, Data Analyst, Data Modeler
- Data Specialist, Database Administrator, Data Warehousing Analyst
- Systems Architect, Systems Analyst, Project Manager, Project Leader
- Business Analyst, Repository Analyst, Repository Architect
Professional Examinations
The CDMP requires three ICCP exams: IS Core exam, Data Management Core exam, and one other exam of your choice. Both the IS Core and Data Management Core exams are mandatory for the CDMP.
The third exam is one of your choosing, depending on your work experience. The choices are:
- Data Warehousing
- Business Intelligence and Analytics
- Data & Information Quality
- Data Development
- Data Operations (DBA)
- Zachman Enterprise Architecture Framework2
Institute for the Certification of Computing Professionals (ICCP) If you already passed one or more ICCP exams or already have another ICCP certificate, these exams or certificates can be used toward a CDMP if considered current by ICCP standards, and the exams are listed within your CDMP area of specialization. For information on your status, contact the ICCP (click here).
If you wish to demonstrate expertise in exam specialty areas specifically, the ICCP will issue Expert (Proficiency) Certificates for each specialty exam passed at 70% or higher.
Suggested Exams Based on Candidate’s Work Experience
The following table shows data work experiences organized by the DAMA – DMBOK (Data Management Body of Knowledge) framework, and possible exams to take within that framework. A suggested (S) exam is best to take for a particular data management function to fulfill the data exam requirement. An exam denoted by (C) is the candidate’s choice for that function. A total of three exams are to be taken. The IS Core exam is mandatory for all data management functions. Your work experience in the field will let you determine what exams you are best suited to pass.
View Sample Exam Combinations by DAMA – DMBOK Functions (pdf format) to relate your work experience.
UPDATED AUGUST 2010 View CDMP Specialty Exams Mapping to DAMA-DMBOK graphic (pdf format).
Preparation for Taking Exams
There are various ways of learning the process of taking ICCP exams:
- Sponsor ICCP Exam Review courses for your DAMA chapter membership
- Refer to the exam subject outlines (at level 1 & 2) posted on http://www.iccp.org/iccpnew/outlines.html to become familiar with the subject coverage of each exam
- Contact the ICCP (click here) for the CDMP Exam Study Guide which covers all the exams in the CDMP program and has sample exams/questions for self-study
- Contact ICCP website at http://www.iccp.org/iccpnew/training.html for the individual Data Management Exam Study Guide and/or the individual Data Warehousing Exam Study Guide.
- Check the ICCP website at http://www.iccp.org/iccpnew/training.html for scheduled online CDMP exam reviews and http://www.iccp.org/iccpnew/ccpreview.html for other training.
The exams are also offered at the DAMA International Symposiums and periodically at some DAMA chapter meetings.
Taking CDMP Exams
ICCP Testing can be done anywhere in the world, with an approved Proctor to verify physical identity and supervise/invigilate the delivery of the examination.
A DAMA chapter can set up exam sessions during their chapter meetings. What is needed is a volunteer proctor from the chapter. A proctor is an individual authorized by ICCP to oversee the writing of an exam by an exam taker. This person must meet specific guidelines (http://www.iccp.org/iccpnew/testing.html) and be willing to supervise the exam taker. Contact DAMA DACH (phone +41 43 542 5906) if you require assistance in determining an appropriate proctor. Taking exams via the Internet is also available.
The exams run off the USB drive of an individual’s laptop. There are 110 questions with 100 being scored and reported to the exam taker and 10 are beta questions to complete in 90 minutes. You will not know which type of question you are answering. Questions and possible distracters (answers) are randomly listed in a different order for each exam taker. Therefore, although this guide contains sample questions that allow for “all or none of the above” type answers meant for study purposes, you will not find this type of answer to choose from on the actual exam.
Computer based testing allows for the immediate scoring after the exam is taken. An Performance Profile is then available for downloading, and one will be sent later to the individual by the ICCP. This Profile shows your exam strengths and weaknesses.
CDMP Certificate Conversion & Fees
View CDMP Certificate Conversion and Fees (pdf format)
Professional Development / Recertification
To keep your CDMP current, you must earn 120 approved contact hours of continuing education over a 3-year period. Many educational activities count including DAMA Symposiums and chapter meetings. View the Sample Ways to Earn CDMP Professional Development /Recertification Credit in pdf format.
For further information, contact DAMA DACH for Re-certification Guidelines Booklet or go to http://www.iccp.org/iccpnew/recertification.html.
Re-certification credits can be entered online through the Professional Development Transmittal Form, http://www.iccp.org/cgi-bin/pdform.php. Your DAMA chapter can also keep track of meeting attendance for the purpose of re-certification and submit on a timely basis. There is an annual maintenance fee to keep track of your re-certification credits. You will receive an annual transcript from the DAMA DACH.
Program Contact information:
DAMA DACH:
Management Team (Benjamin Kissling, A.J. Rayvadera, Nitesh Gandhi, Heike Wiegand, Kamal Singh, info@damadach.org
DAMA DACH Office:
+41 43 542 5906 (phone)
The CDMP program was approved and came into existence at the January 2004 Meeting of the DAMA International Board of Directors.