Prep for the RMA® Exam

Get detailed study considerations, important instructions, and resources to help ensure you are prepared for the Retirement Management Advisor® (RMA®) examination after you complete your Capstone.

What’s on the RMA® Exam?

RMA® Exam Topics You’ll Need to Know

Understand the exam format, core curriculum topics on the comprehensive exam, and how the topics are weighted.

What to expect

Exam Standards

Learn the rigorous, standards-based process that goes into developing a reliable, valid RMA® certification exam.

Learn how the exam is developed and scored

RMA® Exam Prep Resources

Get Started Here

As with all the certifications from Investments & Wealth Institute, RMA® curriculum requires rigor and dedication. But it’s also the certification that can be completed in the shortest amount of time: roughly 4 months.

So it’s never too early to understand the scope and depth of information you’ll be tested on.

1

Download the Detailed RMA® Curriculum Overview

This document provides complete curriculum topics for all 11 sections you’ll be tested on. Use this as your study checklist.

RMA® curriculum overview
2

Review IWI’s Code of Professional Responsibility

RMA® certificants are held to the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct. Be sure you understand these principles and the intent behind them.

Code of Professional Responsibility
3

Schedule Your RMA® Capstone and Exam

You must complete the RMA® Capstone before sitting for the exam.

The capstone and exam are offered either online or at in-person IWI-hosted events. For in-person programs, the exam is offered at the end of the 2-day event.

The initial exam fee is included in your program application fee. Retake and rescheduling fees are $225 for IWI members and $325 for nonmembers.

View RMA® Capstone

RMA® Curriculum Review and Exam Prep

Join a live, virtual, interactive review session designed exclusively for candidates for the RMA® certification program.

  • Review all 11 RMA curriculum sections

  • Engage with live quiz questions

  • Accelerate your study process and shorten your exam prep time

Calculator Policy

Yes, you can use an accepted financial calculator when taking the RMA® exam.

Policy for calculator use

You are required to clear your financial calculator's memory before the exam.

You are not allowed to bring any notes, including manually programmed formulas, into the testing area. If your calculator has notes, formulas, or other printed information, remove them or cover them with solid color tape. Calculators are subject to inspection by test center staff.

Acceptable calculator models

New and older models of the following calculators are allowed.

• Hewlett Packard: HP 10b, HP 10bII, HP 10bII Plus, HP 12C, HP 12C Platinum, HP 17B, HP 17BII, and HP 17BII Plus

• Texas Instruments: BA II Plus, BA II Plus Professional, and BA II Plus Business Analyst

How to use them

Get independent guidance for using non-programmable calculators at:

Calculator Tutorial Index (free)

eLearnAbout (paid subscription)

Exam Pass Rates

Q2 Pass Rate

75%

First-Time Testers

The RMA Exam and Curriculum were changed in Q2, and we didn’t have a statistically significant number of testers in Q3, while people studied the new material.

Certificant and Candidate Complaint Process

Have a complaint or concern about Investments & Wealth Institute certification policy, practice, or decisions?

Send your complaint in writing—by email, mail, or fax—to IWI.

Your complaint will be reviewed by an Investments & Wealth Institute management team including its Chief Executive Officer. After review, complaints are forwarded to the appropriate team:

  • Requests to change certification policies go to the volunteer body that has governing authority over the policy in question.

  • Complaints about all other certification activities go to the certification department management team.

  • Complaints unrelated to certification activities go to the Senior Director of Administration and Chief Executive Officer for review and resolution.

Have Questions? Need Help?

Reach out to the IWI Certification Department with any questions about the certification process, eligibility, or learning the curriculum.

Phone Icon
CONTACT US

+1 303 770 3377 - Select option 2

certification@i-w.org