The Credit Business AssociateSM (CBASM) is an academic-based designation which signals mastery of three business-credit related disciplines:

Basic Financial Accounting

Financial Statement Analysis I

Business Credit Principles

There is no minimum work experience requirement for this designation level and the course work needed to qualify for this designation can be obtained through colleges, local NACM Affiliated Association programs, self-study or nationally sponsored programs.

How to Apply for the CBA Designation

Submit the following to the NACM Education Department:

The Education Department Registration form, with applicable fee ($175 for NACM members, $275 for non-NACM members).

The CBA Designation Application form, with applicable fee ($235 for NACM members, $335 for non-NACM members). You should submit your course grade transcripts with this application.

A copy of your resume.

Official college transcripts. Transcripts must be received directly from your college.

Once you've qualified, you may take the CBA Designation Exam. The three-hour exam is offered three times a year nationwide at local NACM Affiliated Association offices and once a year at NACM's Credit Congress. NACM provides a Study Guide/Outline of relevant texts and topics. NACM also offers CBA review sessions through the Credit Learning Center and a CBA Practice Exam.

How to Complete the Required Courses: Basic Financial Accounting

The basic financial accounting course should be completed before the financial statement analysis course. The Basic Financial Accounting course requirement can be fulfilled by successfully completing either:

One full semester or two quarters of basic financial accounting at a college or

NACM-National's online accounting course. This course is an appropriate method of study for those with some accounting experience or a basic working knowledge of accounting or

Your local NACM Affiliated Association sponsored course.

Financial Statement Analysis I

The Financial Statement Analysis I course requirement can be fulfilled by successfully completing either:

One full semester or two quarters of basic financial statement analysis at a college
or

NACM-National's online Financial Statement Analysis I course through the NACM Credit Learning Center, or

The certification course, when offered at NACM's National Headquarters or

Your local NACM Affiliated Association sponsored course.

Business Credit Principles

The Business Credit Principles course requirement can be completed three different ways:

NACM-National's online Business Credit Principles course through the NACM Credit Learning Center or

The certification course, when offered at NACM's National Headquarters or during NACM's annual Credit Congress or

Your local NACM Affiliated Association sponsored course.

The Credit Administration Program (CAP)

Many NACM Affiliated Associations sponsor the Credit Administration Program (CAP), which is a series of courses designed to prepare candidates for the CBA exam.

Each CAP course comprises of at least 30 hours of class time. Your local CAP sponsor will furnish you with end-of-course grades, grade transcripts or certificates of completion. Click here to learn more about the Credit Administration Program.