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.

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

Management Concepts offers the Enhanced Defense Financial Management Training Course (EDFMTC) in both group and self-guided formats, covering the knowledge areas of CDFM Exam Modules 1, 2, and 3. They also offer the Module 4 Acquisition Business Management Course.

SDFM offers three fiscal law courses: Certifying Officials; Purpose; and Purpose, Time and Amount. There is fiscal law content in all CDFM exam modules.

Please note that these classes are not intended as a sole source of preparation for testing. 

Management Concepts offers the Enhanced Defense Financial Management Training Course (EDFMTC) in both group and self-guided formats, covering the knowledge areas of CDFM Exam Modules 1, 2, and 3. They also offer the Module 4 Acquisition Business Management Course.

SDFM offers three fiscal law courses: Certifying Officials; Purpose; and Purpose, Time and Amount. There is fiscal law content in all CDFM exam modules.

Attending 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.

SDFM membership is not required to pursue the CDFM; however, members enjoy benefits such as reduced CDFM Program application fees. Learn more about SDFM member benefits. 

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 apply for 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 apply for the CDFM or CDFM-A by logging into your SDFM account, clicking on “My SDFM”, then selecting “Apply for CDFM” or “Apply for CDFM-A”. SDFM members receive a discount. 

Locate your CDFM application expiration date by logging in to your SDFM account, selecting “My SDFM”, clicking on “My Exams, then looking at the “Exam Eligibility Expiration Date”. 

Purchasing all exams needed to earn certification is a requirement of the CDFM/CDFM-A application process. If you fail an exam, an invoice to purchase a retake exam will be automatically added to your SDFM account in 48 hours. Log into your SDFM account, click on “My SDFM”, and select “My Invoices” to pay for the retake exam. After paying for the exam, you should see the exam available for scheduling in your “My Exams” section within an hour. Note that the retake waiting period is 14 days from an initial attempt and 28 days for additional retakes of the same module. 

Approximately 20 minutes after you’ve paid the CDFM or CDFM-A application fee, which includes all the exams required to earn the certification, you should be able to schedule your exams by logging in your SDFM account and clicking on the My Exams section. If you experience any difficulties with scheduling your exam, contact SDFM at certification@sdfm.org for assistance. 

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.

Once you have met all the certification requirements, a complimentary wall certificate and lapel pin, featuring the certification you earned, will be sent to you at the address in your SDFM account. 

Email certification@sdfm.org for guidance. 

See the “For CDFMs” page for information about using your digital badge.

To keep your CDFM or CDFM-A certification active, you will need to:

1. Complete 80 CPEs by your recertification deadline, to include 2 CPEs in an ethics-related topic and at least 20 CPEs earned per year, and
2. Pay the CDFM/CDFM-A recertification fee ($49 for SDFM Members / $89 for Non-members) in your SDFM account.

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. 

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. Learn more in the CDFM Recertification Policy. 

You can locate your recertification deadline by logging in to your SDFM account, clicking on “My Certifications”, and looking at the Paid Thru Date. 

Log into your SDFM account, click on “My SDFM” and select “My CPEs” to ensure your account reflects the 80 CPE requirement. Then go back to “My SDFM” and click on “My Invoices” to pay the recertification fee. Email certification@sdfm.org for assistance.

CDFMs who need more time to complete the required number of CPEs can email certification@sdfm.org and request a 90-day extension. Certificants can receive one 90-day extension per certification cycle. The CPEs earned during the extension period cannot be counted toward the next certification cycle.

In honor of the CDFM’s 25th anniversary, we are currently holding a CDFM Reactivation Campaign! We invite all of you with an inactive CDFM or CDFM-A to come back into the fold! Simply send an email to certification@sdfm.org and request reactivation, then pay the regular recertification fee ($49 SDFM members / $89 non-members).

Note: the regular reactivation process is to submit proof of 80 CPEs and pay the recertification fee plus a reinstatement fee to bring their CDFM/CDFM-A back to active status.

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).

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.

Information on CPEs as related to CDFM recertification is available in the Recertification section.

In January 2023, SDFM entered into a partnership with Management Concepts to administer the Enhanced Defense Financial Management Training Courses (EDFMTCs), which are currently offered as individual modules in both group and self-guided formats.