CFCM™ Exam Prep

For contract professionals mastering federal acquisition.

Prove your federal contracting expertise with the ANAB-accredited CFCM™. This certification validates your knowledge of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and your ability to apply its principles with confidence. Prepare in the virtual classroom or flexible self-paced content, featuring in-depth FAR coverage, real-world case studies, and interactive exam tools to ensure you’re ready to succeed.

Virtual Classroom

(Self-Paced Content included)
Duration: 12 weeks
Credits: 45 CPE/CLP*

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Self-Paced

Duration: 25 hours
Credits: 25 CPE/CLP

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*(20 CPE credits for the instructor-led course + 25 CPE credits for the self-paced course which can be used toward the credits needed to sit for the exam)

Who Should Take the Exam Prep

Federal contract managers (buyers and sellers) who participate in federal government contract actions;
State and local contract managers (buyers and sellers) who participate in contract actions involving federal funds; and
Those who have a general interest in federal contract management (e.g., academicians, consultants, researchers, regulatory authorities, representatives of accrediting organizations, representatives of other organizations, etc.)

CFCM Prerequisites

Bachelor’s Degree. Non-degreed candidates with at least 5 years of verifiable contract management experience plus 24 college credits that align with the CMBOK™ competencies may request a waiver.
Degrees from outside the United States must be evaluated by an independent third party, such as World Education Services, Scholaro, GEO Credential Services (GCS), Info Check USA, or SpanTran
Two years of work experience in contract management or related field
A minimum of 80 hours of CPE/CLP (see our Continuing Professional Education (CPE) Guide for details)

What You'll Learn

At the end of this program, you will be able to:

Define ethical standards and procedures to prevent conflicts of interest
Identify privacy protections and public access requirements for federal records
Recognize cost principles that ensure financial transparency in contracts
Understand acquisition planning to meet customer needs and promote competition
Describe clear agency requirements that support fair and open competition
Explain contract modification principles for adapting to change
Distinguish sealed bidding and source selection methods for competitive procurement
Understand market research and quality assurance practices for best value
Identify transportation policies and value engineering for contract efficiency
Outline publicizing and negotiation procedures that promote transparency
Recall protest, dispute, and appeal processes to ensure fairness
Understand FAR efficiency measures and procurement streamlining methods
Recognize existing contracts and schedules that reduce costs
Identify contractor qualifications and agency needs to mitigate risks
Describe contract types and financial tools for risk management
Explain termination procedures, bonds, and insurance for government protection
Understand small business programs, labor laws, and socioeconomic impacts
Describe environmental, sustainability, and foreign acquisition policies
Recognize intellectual property issues in government contracts
Identify major system, R&D, construction, and A&E contract requirements
Understand service contract oversight and IT acquisition regulations
Describe administrative matters essential to contract execution
Recognize contract administration services, audits, and subcontracting procedures
Understand government property management and extraordinary contractual actions

Exam Prep Overview

Welcome

Essential foundations of contract management
Intricacies of Federal Acquisition Regulation

Introduction to FAR parts 1, 2, 52, 53

FAR Part 1: Federal Acquisition Regulations System
FAR Part 2: Definitions of words and terms
FAR Part 52: Solicitation provisions and contract clauses
FAR Part 53: Forms

Integrity in Federal Acquisition

FAR Part 3: Improper business practices and personal conflicts of interest
FAR Part 24: Protection of privacy and freedom of information
FAR Part 31: Contract cost principles and procedures

Customer Satisfaction in Federal Acquisition

FAR Part 7: Acquisition planning
FAR Part 11: Describing agency needs
FAR Part 43: Contract modifications

Competition in Federal Acquisition

FAR Part 7: Acquisition planning
FAR Part 11: Describing agency needs
FAR Part 14: Sealed bidding

Best Value in Federal Acquisition

Market research
Contracting by negotiation
Quality assurance
Transportation in supply contracts
Value engineering

Emphasizing Efficiency in Federal Acquisition

Publicizing contract actions
Contracting by negotiation
Protests, disputes, and appeals framework for handling protest

Efficiency Reducing Transaction Costs

Required sources of supplies and services (FAR Part 8)
Acquisition of commercial products and commercial services (FAR Part 12)
Simplified acquisition procedures (FAR Part 13)
Special contracting methods (FAR Part 17)
Emergency acquisitions (FAR Part 18)
Federal supply schedule contracting (FAR Part 38)

Risk Management

FAR Part 9: Contractor qualifications
FAR Part 11: Describing agency needs
FAR Part 16: Types of contracts
FAR Part 28: Bonds and insurance
FAR Part 32: Contract financing
FAR Part 49: Termination of contracts

Wealth Distribution in Federal Acquisition

FAR Part 19: Small business programs
FAR Part 22: Application of labor laws to government acquisitions
FAR Part 23: Environment, sustainable acquisition, and material safety
FAR Part 25: Foreign acquisition
FAR Part 27: Patents, data, and copyrights

Exploring Types of Services in Federal Acquisition

FAR Part 34: Major system acquisition
FAR Part 35: Research and development contracting
FAR Part 36: Construction and architect-engineer contracts
FAR Part 37: Service contracting
FAR Part 39: Acquisition of information technology

Emphasizing Uniformity & Conclusion in Federal Acquisition

FAR Part 4: Administrative matters
FAR Part 29: Taxes
FAR Part 30: Cost accounting standards administration
FAR Part 42: Contract administration and audit services
FAR Part 44: Subcontracting policies and procedures
FAR Part 45: Government property
FAR Part 50: Extraordinary contractual actions and The Safety Act
FAR Part 51: Use of government sources by contractors