FAQs

The update will improve system performance, enhance your user experience, and introduce new features.

The update will begin at 7:00 PM EST on Thursday, October 31. We expect services to be fully restored by the evening of Tuesday, November 5.

No, all existing data will be preserved.

The update will introduce a “My SDFM” dashboard, enabling users to easily access and organize their accounts and records in one convenient location.

If you encounter any issues, please reach out to our support team at AMS@sdfm.org for assistance.

The most recent version of the EDFMTC (Modules 1-3) textbook is the 2020 edition. The most recent version of the Module 4 Textbook is Copyrighted March 2000, revised March 2011.

SDFM textbooks can be purchased here. SDFM members receive a discount on textbooks.

Learn more about taking the Module 4 Acquisition Business Management course.

SDFM offers the Enhanced Defense Financial Management Training Course (EDFMTC), which covers the knowledge areas of CDFM Exam Modules 1, 2, and 3; the Module 4 Acquisition Business Management Course; three fiscal law courses (Certifying Officials; Purpose; and Purpose, Time and Amount); and CDFM Module 1, 2, and 3 Refresher Courses that focus on one module at a time. Please note that these classes are not intended as a sole source of preparation for testing. SDFM members receive a discount on training.

Information about the EDFMTC, as well as the Module 4, fiscal law, and Refresher courses can be found here.

Attending SDFM training is not required to sit for the CDFM exams; however, feedback from CDFM candidates shows that many find the courses to be very helpful in preparing to take the exams.

DFM membership is not required to pursue the CDFM; however, SDFM members enjoy benefits such as reduced textbook and CDFM Program enrollment fees. More information on SDFM member benefits can be found here.

Candidates with an associate degree or higher need 2 years of defense-related financial management or 4 years of Federal Government-related financial management. Candidates whose highest level of formal education is a high school diploma or equivalent need 3 years of defense-related financial management.

In order to earn Certified Defense Financial Manager (CDFM) certification, a candidate must enroll in the CDFM Program; pass CDFM Modules 1, 2, and 3; have at least a high school diploma (or equivalent); and submit a qualifying Verification of Financial Management Experience (VFME) Form.

The requirements for earning the CDFM with Acquisition Specialty (CDFM-A) certification are to earn the CDFM certification and pass the CDFM Module 4 exam. Module 4 can be taken at any time, but the CDFM-A cannot be awarded until all of the CDFM requirements are met.

Yes, you must submit an application as a CDFM or CDFM-A candidate in order to sit for an exam.  A CDFM or CDFM-A application gives candidates 2 years of testing eligibility.

You can enroll in your SDFM account by selecting “MY SDFM” then clicking on “Apply as CDFM” or “Apply as CDFM-A”. SDFM members receive a discount. 

You can locate your CDFM application expiration date by logging in to your SDFM account and clicking on “My Applications.” 

Purchasing your exams is part of the application process.

After purchasing a Pearson VUE exam, you should receive an Authorization to Test (ATT) email within 24-48 hours that includes the information needed to schedule your exam. If you do not receive the ATT email within 48 hours of exam purchase, please check your SDFM account to verify that you are actively enrolled in CDFM program or contact SDFM at certification@sdfm.org.

Once you have passed your exams, the last step to CDFM certification is to ensure that you have submitted your Verification of Financial Management Experience (VFME) Form.

If you are a CDFM candidate and all the requirements have been met, a complimentary wall certificate will be issued within 8-10 weeks of certification being awarded, unless you are a CDFM-A candidate and chose to have your certificate held until you achieve the Acquisition designation.

Email certification@sdfm.org for guidance. 

For more information about digital badges, visit here.

To keep your CDFM or CDFM-A certification active, pay the recertification fee and complete 80 CPEs by your recertification deadline. The 80 CPEs must include 2 CPEs in an ethics-related topic, and at least 20 CPEs must be earned per year.

No, the recertification requirements are the same for CDFMs and CDFM-As.

No. Earning the Acquisition Specialty for your CDFM does not change your recertification deadline. Your recertification deadline will always be every other year on the last day of the month you initially earned your CDFM certification.

Any course or training related to defense financial management or that assists you in your role as a defense financial manager can be used for CPEs in CDFM recertification. View the CDFM Recertification Policy. 

You can locate your recertification deadline by logging in to your SDFM account and clicking on “My CDFM.” 

You can recertify your CDFM by logging on to your SDFM account and clicking on “My CDFM.” SDFM members receive a discount when recertifying.

If you do not recertify by your recertification deadline, your certification will lapse, your name will be removed from the SDFM website, and a late and/or reinstatement fee will be assessed.

Your certification can be reactivated by sending proof of earning 80 CPEs since the start date of the lapsed certification cycle to certification@sdfm.org and then paying the missed recertification fee plus a late or reinstatement fee in your SDFM account.

SDFM will offer more than enough CPEs to recertify for CDFM and DFMCP Certifications at PDI. CPEs include in-person sessions, virtual live-streamed sessions through the platform, and recorded session content available post-PDI. A standard 75-minute workshop will be eligible for 1.5 CPE credits.

SDFM is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have the final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding sponsors may be addressed to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors, 150 Fourth Avenue North, Suite 700, Nashville, TN 37219-2417, www.nasba.org.

Please Note: Due to strict NASBA requirements, NASBA credits cannot be awarded to virtual attendees or attendees watching post-PDI recordings.

We are currently working to review and qualify which sessions during PDI meet the NASBA requirements and will announce those sessions that are NASBA qualified prior to PDI. Some in-person sessions will meet the NASBA qualifications for crediting, but unfortunately, we will not be able to offer NASBA credit for virtual sessions or recordings due to their requirements.

Please email education@sdfm.org with your information.

As ambassadors of military services and government organizations, military and civilian personnel and their spouses should plan appropriate dress for the PDI.

• Event Participants: Daytime Event Attire
• Army: Army Service Uniform, Class B
• Navy: Khaki
• Marine Corps: Service Dress Charlie
• Air Force: Blue Short Sleeve
• Coast Guard: Tropical Blue
• Civilian/guests: Business casual attire

Stage participants may be asked to wear a different uniform than event attendees. Please check with guidance you may have received as an award winner or speaker.

Service Day was renamed to Community Day in 2024 as a way to recognize the involvement of other DoD agencies at PDI. Community Day is a day set aside for each service to break into sessions that are specific to that service or agency. 

When registering, attendees should select which Community Day activities they wish to attend (Army, Air Force, Coast Guard, Navy, DHA, or Defense-Wide).

Yes, but you must be actively enrolled in the CDFM Program at the time of testing. Contact certification@sdfm.org for assistance.

A CPE credit may be granted for each 50 minutes of participation in programs and activities that qualify. Fractional hours may also be granted if appropriate. At training events 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. For example, two 90-minute, two 50-minute and three 40-minute presentations equal 400 minutes or eight CPE hours. Sponsors of CPE programs should monitor their programs to accurately assign the appropriate number of hours.

CDFM participants should receive CPE hours only for the actual time they attend the program. Preparation time for students participating in a CPE program is not counted. Further information on CPE as it relates to the CDFM is available under the Certification menu tab above.

In January 2023, SDFM entered into a partnership with Management Concepts to administer the CDFM Refresher courses Enhanced Defense Financial Management Training Course (EDFMTC). Learn more about Management Concepts.