ICMAI Practical Training

The required practical-training period is 15 months, undertaken on a full-time basis. It can begin from Intermediate registration, rather than waiting until Intermediate examination results or Final enrolment.

For Final-examination timing, the ICMAI prospectus states that 15 months must be completed before appearing in both or the remaining CMA Final group(s). The Scheme also describes interim Form T-5 certification cut-offs: August 31 for a December examination and February 28/29 for a June examination, each showing at least 10 months of training as of that cut-off. Students should confirm the applicable examination-term notification because ICMAI may revise cut-offs or procedures.

• If the principal or employer changes, the student must inform ICMAI within 30 days using a new Form T-1 or T-4, as applicable; qualifying periods with different employers can accumulate under the published rules.
• The published FAQ says no more than three principal/employer changes are allowed during a 15-month training period, and excess leave must be made up through an equivalent additional training period.

After Intermediate registration, the student may approach a recognized organization or a Practising Cost Accountant directly. ICMAI maintains practical-training resources, including lists of organizations, registered PCMAs and training opportunities, to support the search.

Once the student joins, ICMAI requires intimation within 30 days. For training with a PCMA or firm of PCMAs, the applicable engagement intimation is Form T-1 (with UDIN); for a company or organization, it is Form T-4. On completing the training, the student submits Form T-5. ICMAI states that practical-training forms are submitted online, not as offline hard copies.

• Form T-1: intimation of engagement with a PCMA or firm of PCMAs.
• Form T-4: intimation of engagement with a company or organization.
• Form T-5: certificate of training imparted, submitted for the Final-examination requirement.
• Form T-3: application route for practical-training exemption based on qualifying experience.

Fee information can change. ICMAI’s CMA Prospectus 2025 lists a ₹2,500 practical-training registration fee when registering through Form T-1 or T-4, a ₹1,000 fee for notifying a change of principal/employer, and a ₹4,500 fee for a practical-training exemption application through Form T-3. Students should verify the amount in the live ICMAI training portal or current notification before paying.

Stipend is employer-paid rather than a course fee. In ICMAI’s July 19, 2024 circular, the minimum recommended monthly stipend for a student pursuing CMA Intermediate and training with a corporate/organization other than a PCMA or PCMA firm was ₹20,000 in Category X cities, ₹18,000 in Category Y cities, and ₹15,000 in Category Z locations for year 1; the circular states this structure applied from August 1, 2024. This is dated guidance and can be revised.

• Published 2025 prospectus fee: ₹2,500 to register practical training through Form T-1/T-4.
• Published 2025 prospectus fee: ₹4,500 for a Form T-3 exemption application.
• Published July 2024 corporate/organization stipend guidance for CMA Intermediate year 1: ₹15,000–₹20,000 per month depending on city/town category; the circular excludes PCMAs/firms of PCMAs.