Free Practice Questions for CMPP

The CMPP exam consists of 150 psychometrically validated multiple-choice questions delivered by Pearson VUE, either at a Pearson VUE testing center or online via OnVUE proctored delivery. You have 3 hours to complete the exam. It is a pass/fail credential based on a criterion-referenced scaled score. Approximately 80% of candidates pass on first attempt.

ISMPP requires either a bachelor's degree plus 2 years (4,000 hours) of relevant medical publication experience, OR a high school diploma plus 5 years (10,000 hours) of relevant experience. Candidates must also hold ISMPP membership (or pay a $235 non-member administrative fee that includes one year of membership). Relevant experience includes medical writing, publication planning, editorial work, and publication management at pharmaceutical companies, agencies, or CROs.

The CMPP exam fee is $595 for ISMPP members. Non-members pay $595 plus a $235 administrative fee (which includes one year of ISMPP membership), for a total of $830. Candidates from developing countries pay a reduced fee of $395. Retakes within the next testing window cost $250. Fees are set by ISMPP and are subject to change — always verify on the official ISMPP exam details page.

The current blueprint has three equally weighted competency domains: (1) developing a publication plan, with eight duties; (2) implementing a publication plan, with five duties; and (3) fostering ethical and compliant behavior, with five duties. The official 2026 study guide lists all 18 duties. Current critical references include GPP 2022, the ICMJE Recommendations, the Declaration of Helsinki, EQUATOR reporting guidelines, GPCAP 2026, and applicable transparency and regulatory frameworks.

ISMPP does not publish a required study-hour total. Build an individualized plan from the official 2026 Study Guide and current Critical Reference List, concentrating on duties outside your daily role. Use primary sources rather than memorizing a fixed hour estimate: GPP 2022, the current ICMJE Recommendations, CONSORT 2025, SPIRIT 2025, PRISMA 2020, GPCAP 2026, and the applicable ethics, transparency, and regulatory materials.

For people certifying or recertifying from 2022 onward, the CMPP cycle is 5 years. Recertification requires 50 approved continuing education credits or successful re-examination. The credit pathway requires at least 5 credits in each of the three blueprint domains, at least 5 credits in each year of the cycle, no more than 8 self-paced credits in a year, and active publication practice during at least 3 years of the cycle. Use the current ISMPP Recertification Handbook for activity, documentation, deadline, fee, and audit rules.

Yes. The CMPP is an international credential specific to medical publication professionals. ISMPP's official 2026 examination study guide describes certificants in 30 countries across six continents. Candidates should use the credentialing body's current figures rather than extrapolating an unsupported country or certificant count.

GPP 2022 is the current Good Publication Practice guidance for company-sponsored biomedical research. It addresses publication planning and development, authorship and contributorship, professional medical writing support, sponsor involvement, agreements, and transparency. ISMPP includes it on the current CMPP Critical Reference List; the exam body does not publish an item count for any individual reference.