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Application Requirements
To participate in the Certified Government Financial Manager program, you must submit an application to AGA. When you submit your application you must provide items 1, 2 and 3 below. You do not need to have completed the two-year experience requirement in order to take the CGFM examination, but you do need to submit item 4 below before your certificate will be granted.
- The "Application to the Certified Government Financial Manager program."
- One of the following: A copy of a college degree or copy of college or university transcripts showing that a degree was issued (unofficial transcripts are accepted) or a statement or transcript from your current employer showing that you have earned a degree.
- A non-refundable application fee of $75, payable to AGA by check or money order (in U.S. Dollars only); or by credit or debit card which carries one of the following logos: Visa, Mastercard, American Express or Discover.
- The Verification of Work Experience Form. This form should be completed by you and signed by your supervisor showing that you have been employed in the government financial management field for two years at the professional level.
Once the application has been received by AGA, your application will be reviewed to ensure that you meet the criteria listed above. A Confirmation of Eligibility will be sent to you. The Confirmation will include your ID number. Once you have received the Confirmation from AGA, you have five years to complete the three examinations. For instance, if your Confirmation of Eligibility is dated January 15, 1999, you will have until January 15, 2004 to pass all three examinations.
Once you have received your Confirmation of Eligibility, you may then call Sylvan Prometric (888-AGA-EXAM) at your convenience to schedule an examination appointment.
Examination Fees
Examination fees are paid to Sylvan Prometric. Sylvan will accept credit cards and checks, and can also provide you with an invoice if you require one.
Examination fees (in U.S. dollars) are as follows:
| Summary of Fees |
| Application Fee (Non-Refundable) |
$75.00 |
| One Examination |
$150.00 |
| Three Examinations ** |
$395.00 |
**In order to take advantage of this discounted rate, you must register for three examinations at once and must take all three examinations within one calendar year of registration.
Examination Procedures
You will not be admitted to the testing center without proper identification. Two forms of ID are required, one with photo. Student identification is not acceptable. You are required to sign in and out each time you enter or leave the testing room.
No bags, briefcases, etc., are permitted into the testing facility. Lockers are available at many testing centers; however, it is suggested that nonessential items not be brought into the center. No reference materials may be brought into the testing room.
You will be provided with a scratch paper, if you need more ask the proctor. You may not take this scratch paper with you when you leave the testing room. You may bring one non-programmable calculator into the testing room. The testing center administrator will have final authority to allow or disallow the use of a particular calculator.
An optional fifteen-minute tutorial will be provided prior to taking the examination to acquaint you with the computer testing methodology.
Cancellations, Rescheduling and Refunds
You may reschedule or cancel your testing appointments by calling the test center or the nationwide Sylvan registration number by 12:00 noon two days prior to the scheduled testing time. For example, to cancel a test scheduled for Monday, you must notify Sylvan by noon on the Friday before the Monday appointment. If you are scheduled for a Tuesday you may cancel by calling Sylvan before noon on Saturday. However, messages left on answering machines on weekends are not acceptable. If you cannot contact a local test center to cancel your appointment call 888-AGA-EXAM. It is your responsibility to cancel your appointment. Failure on your part to reach Sylvan in adequate time does not release you from payment for an examination that you cannot attend.
If you call within the appropriate time limits (more than 48 hours before the scheduled test) you may reschedule your exam. If you do not wish to reschedule, no refunds are provided.
If you cancel after the 48-hour time limit, fail to show up for a scheduled appointment, or arrive more than 30 minutes late for a scheduled appointment you are considered a "no show" and your examination fee will not be refunded.
The $75 application fee is non-refundable under all circumstances.
Score Reporting
Unofficial pass/fail scores will be provided at the completion of each of your examinations. Once scores have been received by AGA, an official score report will be sent to you.
Official notification of scores will be provided to your employer only if you request it in writing from AGA. Once you have passed all three examinations, and verification of work experience is on file with AGA, an award letter and certificate will be issued.
Retaking Examinations
In the event that you fail an examination, you must wait six months before retaking that exam. In the interim, you may take the other exams. Once the six-month waiting period has passed, you may re-register with Sylvan. The retake fee for each examination is $150.
Accommodations for Disabled Candidates
It is the intent of the AGA to accommodate all duly qualified individuals seeking CGFM Certification. To that extent, if you have a disability that may require special testing accommodations you should contact the AGA as soon as possible, setting forth in writing the nature of the disability and the accommodation desired. The AGA reserves the right to request a letter from a qualified, licensed medical professional explaining the disability and the accommodation required. All Sylvan centers comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations. If you have concerns or questions about the accessibility of a certain testing center for visually- or hearing-impaired persons, or for physically challenged persons you should contact the testing center directly.
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