Looking ahead: The new CDMS® blueprint coming March 2026

Posted on 09/03/2025 - 09:24 AM

Debby Formica Photo





By Debby Formica, CAE, ICE-CCP
COO, Commission for Case Manager Certification

At the Commission, we are committed to ensuring that the CDMS credential remains a trusted indicator of competency in disability management. This commitment means staying attuned to evolving job roles, legal frameworks, and the needs of those we serve. I’m excited to share with you what’s coming next for the CDMS exam, beginning March 2026, and how these updates will support candidates and certificants alike.

Why a new blueprint?
Every five years, we conduct a comprehensive Job Task Analysis (JTA) to ensure that the CDMS exam reflects current real-world practice. The 2025 JTA, conducted in partnership with our team at Data Recognition Corporation (DRC), was a rigorous, multi-step process. It involved gathering industry insights, validating findings through a national survey, and collaborating with subject matter experts across the country. The outcome is a refreshed blueprint that captures what today’s Certified Disability Management Specialists truly do and need to know.

What’s changing
The new blueprint includes four domains with updated weights that better reflect today’s professional landscape:

  • Domain 1: Disability and Work Interruption Case Management (36 percent)
  • Domain 2: Workplace Interventions (27 percent)
  • Domain 3: Program Development, Management, and Evaluation (18 percent)
  • Domain 4: Employment Leaves and Benefits Administration (19 percent)

This new structure shifts emphasis based on what we learned is most critical and frequent in current practice. In addition to refined domain weightings, task statements and knowledge and skill areas have been updated for clarity, precision, and relevancy.

New exam features to support fairness and experience
Along with the updated blueprint, candidates taking the exam starting in March 2026 will notice a few structural enhancements designed to improve the testing experience:

  • Three-option multiple-choice questions: These are just as valid and reliable as traditional four-option questions but reduce ambiguity and streamline development.
  • An optional 10-minute scheduled break: Available to both in-person and remote candidates midway through the exam. This break supports candidate focus and well-being.

What this means for you
If you are preparing for the CDMS exam, rest assured. The new blueprint offers clearer guidance and better alignment with real-world practice. Updated preparation materials and resources will be available in advance of the March 2026 launch. Whether you are a prospective certificant, a long-time CDMS, or an employer seeking qualified professionals, this update reinforces our shared commitment to excellence.

For more information, read our CDMS FAQs here.