Certified Professional Contract Manager (CPCM™) Practice Exam

Certified Professional Contract Manager (CPCM™) Practice Exam

CPCM is a professional credential offered by the National Contract Management Association (NCMA). It shows you have strong understanding and skills in contract management — that means you know how to create, manage, negotiate, and oversee contracts in business or government settings. The certification is based on the Contract Management Body of Knowledge (CMBOK) and follows the standards defined in the Contract Management Standard (CMS) to ensure you understand best practices in the field.

By earning CPCM, you demonstrate not just theoretical knowledge, but also that you meet experience requirements in contract management. It’s a respected certification (ANAB accredited) that helps your professional credibility, can open up higher-level roles, and distinguishes you among your peers in procurement, buyer/seller interface, legal, compliance, or contract administration roles.

Who should take the Exam?

This exam is ideal for:

• Contract Managers / Contract Administrators
• Procurement Specialists / Buyers
• Sellers/Vendors who work with contracts regularly
• Legal & Compliance Professionals involved in contracts
• Government Contract Professionals
• Supplier Relationship Managers
• Consultants in procurement or contract law
• Professionals seeking to lead or grow in contract management

Skills Required

• Contract lifecycle (pre-award, award, post-award)
• Negotiate contract terms and understand legal / regulatory issues
• Risk management (identifying, evaluating, mitigating contract risks)
• Contract language, obligations, performance standards
• Organizational skills and manage multiple contracts or stakeholders
• Effective communication skills
• Financial / cost / price analysis in procurement
• Ethical mindset and understanding of compliance

Knowledge Gained

• The Contract Management Standard (CMS) and the CMBOK framework
• Leadership & management, guiding principles, pre-award, award, post-award activities
• Legal foundations of contracts, contract types, contract law basics
• How to negotiate, evaluate proposals, select contractors or vendors
• Risk analysis and mitigation in contracts
• Monitoring contract performance, quality assurance, change management, and handling disputes or contract modifications
• How to align procurement/contract strategy with organizational goals

Course Outline

The Certified Professional Contract Manager (CPCM) Exam covers the following topics -

Domain 1: Pre-Award

• Contract Financing, Principles and Structures
• Contracting Methods
• Intellectual Property
• Laws and Regulations
• Socioeconomic Programs
• Standards of Conduct (includes OCOI)

Domain 2: Acquisition Planning and Strategy

• Acquisition Planning/Market Research/Marketing
• Cost and Price Analysis
• Drafting Solicitations
• Negotiation and Protests
• Responding to Solicitations
• Source Selection & Contract Award

Domain 3: Post-Award

• Contract Administration
• Contract Changes and Modifications
• Contract Interpretation & Disputes
• Contract Termination & Excusable Delay
• Subcontract Management
• Transportation

Domain 4: Specialized Knowledge Areas

• Architect-Engineer Services and Construction
• Government Property
• Information Technology
• International Contracting
• Research and Development
• Service Contracts
• State and Local Government
• Supply Chain

Domain 5: Business

• Accounting
• Economics
• Finance Analysis
• Information Science/IT
• Management
• Operations Management