SearchCBO Certification is the highest standard of professional recognition in school business management. This certification demonstrates your commitment to excellence and your dedication to lifelong learning.
How to become a CASBO-Certified CBO:
PREPARE
Complete CASBO’s CBO Business Executives Leadership (BEL) Program to qualify for the CBO exam.
EARN
Take and pass the CASBO CBO Exam to earn your certification. The next exam is February 4-25, 2026.
MAINTAIN
Fulfill certain requirements every 4-year cycle to keep your certification active.
ENHANCE
Experienced CBOs can add a CBO-E distinction to recognize their expertise.
To receive updates or announcements on future CBO BEL cohorts, please submit the form below.
More Information
By completing the CASBO CBO Business Executive Leadership (BEL) Program, individuals become eligible to take the CASBO CBO Certification exam during the next exam window. Completion of an approved training program does not result in a certification nor credential.
Individuals may also earn eligibility to take the CASBO CBO exam by completing a full CBO training program offered by an approved professional development provider, such as:
- FCMAT CBO Mentor Program
- USC Rossier School of Education: Certificate in School Business Management Program
- Wilkes University Master’s Program in School Business Leadership
Throughout the year (usually aligning with the end of CBO pathway programs), CASBO will open the CBO exam for a specified time period, known as the exam window. During the exam window, eligible individuals can register and sit for the exam.
After the exam window closes, an external expert reviews the exam results to make sure the exam is fair and accurate. Results are released once this review is complete. Approximately 80% of test-takers pass the exam.
Upcoming Exam Windows: February 4-25, 2026 and July 2026
The current cost for the CBO exam is $450.
CASBO’s CBO Exam is comprised of the following knowledge domains:
Domain 1: Accounting
Domain 2: Facilities and Debt Financing
Domain 3: Human Resources and Collective Bargaining
Domain 4: Information and Technology Services
Domain 5: Leadership and Governance
Domain 6: Principles of School Law
Domain 7: Public Relations
Domain 8: Risk Management
Domain 9: Operations
Domain 10: Finance and Budget
Domain 11: Special Education
Inquiries regarding the verification of an individual’s CBO certification may be directed to certification@casbo.org. Please include the full name, work title, email address, and phone number of the individual in question.
