Certified Patch Management Associate (CPMA)

Patch your resume, not your wallet

Certified Patch Management Associate (CPMA)

Begin your path into structured patch management with the Certified Patch Management Associate certification, a clear and approachable starting point for IT newcomers and anyone supporting technology in their organization. The program breaks down the fundamentals of vulnerability handling and update workflows, giving you practical techniques that improve stability, reduce risk, and strengthen day-to-day operations across diverse systems. Since no previous experience is required, it offers an accessible first step for building confidence in a core security discipline that every modern environment depends on.

Red background poster with white text that reads "Patch Plan Certification CPM" and a white emblem with "PP" in the center.

Course Details

  • Establishes a clear, vendor-neutral foundation in patch management fundamentals.

  • Teaches practical skills for identifying, prioritizing, testing, and deploying updates.

  • Designed for beginners who want a structured path into vulnerability and update management.

  • Built to help newcomers gain confidence with real patch management workflows.

  • Fully vendor-neutral, so the skills apply to any environment or toolset.

  • Designed for self-paced study with clear, concise modules and practical examples.

Resources

Unlike many certifications that lock their content behind paywalls or require costly memberships, this program takes a different approach. All core learning materials are provided openly and at no charge, giving you full access to the knowledge you need before you ever commit to an exam. Everything you need to study is available below.

  • Free 2 hour video series

  • Free eBook covering all course material

  • No Annual Maintenance Fees (AMF)

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FAQ

  • The average time spent on this certification is 10 hours, including lessons, course material review, and exam time. This corresponds to the standard allocation of 10 CPE credits recognized for similar professional certifications.

  • Yes! Just like other major certifications, you can self-submit these CPEs. By completing this certification, including your preparation time, you’ll receive a certificate worth 10 CPEs along with your main certificate document. It’s a simple way to grow your skills and meet your CPE requirements at the same time.

  • Yes! We will send you a certificate with your name, expiration date, and a serial number.

  • Yes, there is a contribution requirement to keep your certificate active after three years. Annually we will automatically renew your certificate if you contribute to the Patch Plan database, or manually provide to us proof you contributed to the patching community.

  • We believe an associate level exam should be approachable by anyone. Contributing to the community, and helping other IT professionals with common tasks is the foundation of what this career field should be about.

  • Two years of IT experience

  • Yes, this course ends with a 25 question multiple choice and a long answer question.

Patch Plan Board of Professional Certification document titled 'CPMA' for Certified Patch Management Associate, issued since 2025, with red and white design, patch plan logo, and contact email.

Ready for the Exam?

After reviewing the video series, course material and taking the practice tests, click the link below:

Begin Exam