The Certified Clinical Data Associate (CCDA) program is the best place to start your journey into the Clinical Data Management profession.
Your CCDA Roadmap
#1 CHECK ELIIGIBILITY
Who is eligible for the CCDA Certification?
The Clinical Data Associate certification program is designed for professionals starting their career in Clinical Data Management (with less than 2 years’ experience) who wish to solidify their knowledge of the core concepts in the field. To be eligible for this exam, you need to have:
- An Associate’s degree or higher
- 0-2 year full-time CDM experience
Consider another certification program if you are already a CCDM or have more than 2 years of full-time CDM experience.
Experience required
0-2 Years
Degree required
Associate’s or higher
Exam questions
80
Certification renewal
Not Required
Global Availability
Yes
#2 CCDA BENEFITS
Why choose to pursue the CCDA Certification?
Launch your CDM Career
A strong first step in building a foundation for a career in Clinical Data Management.
Gain professional recognition
Validate your knowledge of core CDM Concepts and demonstrate commitment to shape the field.
Advance your career growth
Strengthen your profile for future job opportunities with community recognized credential.
No expiration date
Once you get certified, this credential doesn't expire and you don't have to worry about the renewal process.
Find out for yourself what motivated our CCDA's to pursue this certification
Although I did not initially pursue the certification, I soon recognized the opportunity it offered for my professional growth and development. As I prepared for the CCDA examination, I gained a deeper appreciation for the knowledge and skills it provided. The experience exposed me to important concepts relevant to my field and transformed what began as an obligation into a valuable learning journey that enhanced my technical competence and confidence.
Kumba Jojo, CCDA
I pursued the CCDA certification to strengthen my clinical data management knowledge and align with international best practices. Working in clinical research at MRC Unit The Gambia at LSHTM, I see how high-quality data supports patient safety and research integrity. The certification was an important step in advancing my career.
Oulaye Jallow, CCDA
I was motivated to pursue the Certified Clinical Data Associate (CCDA) certification because of my strong interest in clinical research and data management. I wanted to deepen my knowledge of clinical data standards, regulatory requirements, and best practices in data quality management. The certification provided an opportunity to enhance my professional skills, validate my expertise, and contribute more effectively to clinical trials and observational studies. Additionally, obtaining the certification supports my career growth by demonstrating my commitment to maintaining high standards in clinical data management and ensuring the integrity, accuracy, and reliability of research data.
Mansour HB Njie, CCDA
#3 STUDY AND PREPARE
What does a Clinical Data Associate do?
To prepare for the role as well as for the Exam, it’s important to know the responsibilities of a Clinical Data Associate. As a Clinical Data Associate you have understanding of 6 key areas, mapped to the CDM Competency Framework:
Get ready for your
CCDA Exam
You know the CDA responsibilities and now, it’s time to acquire those skills. SCDM provides a range of learning resources designed to help you prepare confidently for the exam and build a strong foundation in Clinical Data Management.
CCDA Certification Handbook
Everything you need to know about the exam, eligibility, competencies, and requirements.
CCDA Study Guide
Review foundational concepts and tested competencies.
CDA 101 On-Demand Webinar
Learn about the Clinical Data Associate role and examination expectations.
GCDMP©
Stay ahead with the latest clinical data management best practices.
JSCDM
Explore thought leadership and research articles that support exam preparation and professional growth.
Take your learning to the next level with elev8.
Preparing for certification is also about building the knowledge and skills that support a successful career in Clinical Data Management.
Powered by the SCDM Clinical Data Management Competency Framework, elev8 provides personalized learning pathways that help you strengthen foundational competencies, identify knowledge gaps, and continue developing your expertise at your own pace.
Whether you’re preparing for your CCDA exam or planning your next career milestone, elev8 helps turn learning into professional growth.
#4 PRICING
A fair pricing structure to take the Exam
As SCDM is a global community, we understand there are differences in economies depending on where you are in the world. And so, we’ve created a pricing structure based on three country income levels. If you’d like to apply at member rates, you are welcome to join our global SCDM Community.
High Income
Countries
Member
$125
Non-Member
$175
Retake Exam
Member
$95
Non-Member
$100
Upper Middle
Income Countries
Member
$100
Non-Member
$150
Retake Exam
Member
$70
Non-Member
$125
Low Income &
Lower Countries
Member
$60
Non-Member
$100
Retake Exam
Member
$40
Non-Member
$70
#5 APPLY AND SCHEDULE
The application process made simple via our online platform
Once you feel you are prepared and ready to take the exam, you will need to create an account and schedule the exam. Just follow these few steps:
Create an account
Submit your application
Receive approval
#6 YOUR CCDA CREDENTIAL
What happens after you pass your certification?
After you have successfully passed the programme and now belong to the list of our certified CCDA professionals you can:
- Receive your CCDA credential
- Download your digital certificate
- Showcase your achievement
- Continue your pathway to CCDM Certification
Frequently Asked Questions
SCDM’s newly launched Clinical Data Associate certification program is targeted at the community members who are starting their career in Clinical Data Management (with less than 2 years’ experience) and wish to solidify their knowledge of the core concepts in the field.
Refer to the certification handbook for current information about the exam including tested competencies.
The best way to prepare is to be able to apply applicable regulations, guidance and foundational knowledge and best practices as articulated in the GCDMP to the management of data for clinical studies. Updated GCDMP chapters have been made available for your review. New chapters now contain relevant regulatory references in the minimum standards section. You may also find the list of foundational knowledge and exam references in the certification handbook. Refer to the certification handbook for current information about the exam including the foundational knowledge list and exam references.
80 multiple choice items, covering all tested competencies.
You will be notified within 14 days of receipt via email.
You will have 90 days from the acceptance of your application to take the exam.
Applications must be completed and submitted via the online portal.
Yes, this is condition of Certification.
Yes, the confidentiality agreement is part of the Certification Exam application.
Your successful completion of the exam distinguishes you as a Certified Clinical Data Associate (CCDA). We hope you continue your journey in Clinical Data Management and pursue the Certified Clinical Data Manager (CCDM) when you meet the criteria. Learn about the eligibility requirements here.
Your CCDA status does not expire.
Your CCDA Certificate will be added to your profile and can be downloaded from the main Dashboard or MyCertifications page within your Prolydian Account.
You will be welcome to retest again. You may retake the examination any time after 90 days, but within one year of the date of the original examination. To register again and pay the retake fee of $95, please visit the My Exams page in your Prolydian account and click the “Register Again” button. After registering you’ll receive a confirmation email with instructions on how to schedule your retake exam.
Ready to Get CCDA Certified?
Take the first step in your Clinical Data Management career.
Be the first to know
Sign up to get our latest news and industry updates.