The CTCM certification program validates your knowledge of procurement planning, contract formation, and contract oversight. It is distinct from the CTPM certification, focusing specifically on post-award activities. Practice with the free CTCM - Certified Texas Contract Manager practice test on PracticeTestGeeks (9 questions with answer explanations).

If you are searching for a CTCM practice test online, start with the free questions on this page: every answer comes with an explanation, and the study notes below cover the CTCM exam topics in order.

CTCM Exam at a Glance

What changed for CTCM in 2026

• Oct 27, 2026: Registration deadline changed to Within 60 days of enrollment (previously Exam must be taken within 60 days of enrollment).^[1]
• Oct 27, 2026: Testing window changed to Within 3 months of completing the course (previously Within 3 months of the course; 60 days from enrollment).^[2]
• Oct 27, 2026: Delivery changed to Paper exam (bubble-in answer sheet) at UT Austin Testing and Evaluation Services or an approved university/college testing site (previously Paper exam (bubble sheet) at UT Austin Testing and Evaluation Services or an approved university/college proctor).^[1]

Free CTCM - Certified Texas Contract Manager Study Tools

Interactive CTCM - Certified Texas Contract Manager resources on PracticeTestGeeks, free to start:

• Free CTCM Contract Administration & Management Questions and Answers — 9 questions with answer explanations
• CTCM - Certified Texas Contract Manager flashcards — review key terms and concepts card by card
• CTCM - Certified Texas Contract Manager study guide — topic-by-topic overview of what the exam covers
• CTCM - Certified Texas Contract Manager cheat sheet — one-page printable summary for last-minute review

According to Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts - Statewide Procurement Division, “To receive certification, you must receive at least an 80% passing score on the exam.”^[2]

CTCM content outline and where to practise each area

The content areas below are copied from the official CTCM content outline published by Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts - Statewide Procurement Division. The right-hand column shows which of our practice sets covers it.

Worked examples: how to reason through CTCM questions

These are practice questions written for this site, not questions from the real exam. Each explanation shows why the right answer is right and why the others are wrong.

Example 1

Question: In Texas, which program requires state agencies to make a good-faith effort to include Historically Underutilized Businesses in their procurement processes?

1. Texas Enterprise Fund Program
2. HUB Program under Texas Government Code Chapter 2161
3. State Use Program
4. Texas Vendor Performance Program

Answer: B. HUB Program under Texas Government Code Chapter 2161

Explanation:

B is correct. Texas Government Code Chapter 2161 creates the Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) program. It requires state agencies to make a good-faith effort to include HUBs in their purchasing, for example through HUB subcontracting plans.

• A is wrong: the Texas Enterprise Fund is an economic development incentive. It has no rules about who takes part in agency purchasing.
• C is wrong: the State Use Program sends certain purchases to community rehabilitation programs that employ people with disabilities. It is a separate program, not the HUB good-faith effort.
• D is wrong: vendor performance tracking records how contractors performed after the work. It does not set participation requirements.

Rule to remember: if a question mentions historically underutilized businesses or a good-faith effort, the answer is the HUB program.

Example 2

Question: A contract manager needs to update the agency's official point-of-contact information listed in the contract due to a staff retirement. This action does not affect the price, scope, or delivery schedule. The most appropriate mechanism to formalize this change is a:

1. Bilateral amendment requiring contractor negotiation.
2. Constructive change memo for the file.
3. Unilateral administrative modification.
4. Request for equitable adjustment.

Answer: C. Unilateral administrative modification.

Explanation:

C is correct. Changing the agency's point of contact is a purely administrative change. Price, scope, schedule and the vendor's rights all stay the same, so the agency can record the change on its own with a unilateral administrative modification.

• A is wrong: you need a bilateral amendment, signed by both parties, only when a change affects what both sides agreed to. Here nothing substantive changes, so there is nothing to negotiate.
• B is wrong: a constructive change happens when the agency's actions informally change the work without a formal modification. It is a problem to avoid, not a way to formalize anything, and a memo to the file does not modify the contract.
• D is wrong: a vendor files a request for equitable adjustment to ask for more money or time. This change costs the vendor nothing.

Rule to remember: administrative changes can be unilateral. Anything that touches price, scope or schedule must be bilateral.

Example 3

Question: When should contract modifications be documented?

1. Only for changes over $10,000
2. For all changes, regardless of size or significance
3. At the end of the contract term
4. Only when requested by the vendor

Answer: B. For all changes, regardless of size or significance

Explanation:

B is correct. Every change to a contract must be documented in writing and kept in the contract file, however small it is. That record makes the agreement enforceable, prevents disputes over what was agreed, and gives auditors a clear trail.

• A is wrong: there is no dollar threshold, such as $10,000, below which changes can go undocumented. A small change still changes what each party owes.
• C is wrong: waiting until the end of the term means the contract on file does not match the real agreement while the work is going on, and memories fade before any dispute or audit.
• D is wrong: keeping the contract record is the agency's job no matter who asked for the change.

Rule to remember: if it changes the contract, document it when it happens.

How to use these practice tests

Start right after the course. You have 3 months after finishing the course to test, and once you enroll you must sit the exam within 60 days. Pick a test date early, while the course is still fresh, so you are not paying the $50 extension fee for lack of planning.

1. Reread the official material by section. Use your course manual and the Comptroller's procurement and contract management guidance. Follow the course's section order: the Statewide Procurement Division, the purpose of a contract, reading a contract, contract administration, and ethics.
2. Take one practice set per section. Use the matching set from the table above. After each set, read the explanation for every question you missed or guessed. Write the rule in your own words, then check it against the official material. Our questions are written by us, not taken from the real exam.
3. Go back to weak areas. Retake the sets where you missed the most, plus the related sets on modifications, closeout and vendor monitoring.
4. Do a timed mixed run. Do several sets in a row within 2 hours, without notes, and aim to score well above 80% before test day.
5. Prepare for paper. Practise marking answers on paper, and pack your own #2 pencil.

Review the Certified Texas Contract Manager study guide provided by the Comptroller. Focus heavily on the "Contract Administration" section, as it makes up a large portion of the CTCM exam questions.

The estimated total CTCM certification cost is around $400-$500. Many Texas state agencies will cover the CTCM training and exam fees for their employees.

Start Your CTCM Prep

Don't wait to advance your career. Take our free CTCM practice test today and ensure you're ready for the Certified Texas Contract Manager exam.

Ensure you complete your CTCM continuing education hours before your certification expiration date to avoid penalties or lapsing status.

Pros and Cons at a Glance

Sample CTCM - Certified Texas Contract Manager Practice Questions

Try these questions from our free CTCM - Certified Texas Contract Manager practice tests. The correct answer and an explanation follow each question.

1. A Certified Texas Contract Manager is creating a contract closeout checklist. All of the following are essential elements to include EXCEPT:

   • A. Verifying that all goods, services, and reports have been delivered and formally accepted.
   • B. Ensuring all invoices have been paid and conducting a final funds reconciliation.
   • C. Confirming that the contractor has initiated the process for contract renewal.
   • D. Documenting the disposition of any state-furnished or contractor-acquired property.

   Answer: C. Confirming that the contractor has initiated the process for contract renewal.

   Contract closeout is the process of finalizing all activities for a completed contract. Contract renewal is a separate, future procurement action and is not part of closing out the existing contract. The other options are all core administrative tasks required for a proper closeout.

2. A director at a Texas state agency, who has authority over contract approvals, wants to approve a professional services contract with a consulting firm where their son-in-law is a principal partner. Which of the following Texas statutes would this action most directly violate?

   • A. The Anti-Nepotism Statute (Gov't Code Ch. 573)
   • B. The Public Information Act (Gov't Code Ch. 552)
   • C. The State Purchasing Act (Gov't Code Ch. 2155)
   • D. The Professional Services Procurement Act (Gov't Code Ch. 2254)

   Answer: A. The Anti-Nepotism Statute (Gov't Code Ch. 573)

   Texas Government Code Chapter 573, the anti-nepotism law, prohibits a public official from appointing, or voting for the appointment of, a close relative to a position compensated by public funds. A son-in-law is a relative within the second degree of affinity, which is a prohibited degree. Attorney General opinions have clarified that this can extend to private contractors, making this action a violation of the statute.

3. What is 'best value' procurement in Texas, and how does it differ from low-bid procurement?

   • A. Best value always selects the highest-priced vendor; low-bid selects the cheapest
   • B. Best value considers multiple factors including price, quality, and vendor capability; low-bid awards only on price
   • C. Best value is used only for IT procurement; low-bid is used for construction
   • D. Best value requires HUB participation; low-bid does not

   Answer: B. Best value considers multiple factors including price, quality, and vendor capability; low-bid awards only on price

   Best value procurement evaluates factors such as price, quality, service, and past performance holistically, whereas low-bid procurement awards solely to the lowest responsive price.

4. What is the benefit of using performance scorecards for contract monitoring?

   • A. To make contractors compete against each other unnecessarily
   • B. To provide standardized, objective performance evaluation
   • C. To eliminate all contract documentation
   • D. To reduce the frequency of performance reviews

   Answer: B. To provide standardized, objective performance evaluation

   Performance scorecards are valuable tools in contract monitoring because they provide a standardized and objective method for evaluating contractor performance against agreed-upon metrics. By using consistent criteria and quantifiable measures, scorecards reduce subjectivity and facilitate clear communication regarding expectations and results. This systematic approach helps ensure fair assessment and drives continuous improvement in service delivery.

Take the full CTCM - Certified Texas Contract Manager practice test

Official Resources

• Texas Comptroller — Procurement Training & CTCM Certification: the official source for CTCM course schedules, exam registration, and the Certified Texas Contract Manager program administered by the Statewide Procurement Division.
• Texas Comptroller — Statewide Procurement Division: publishes the state contract management framework, rules, and guides that the CTCM exam is based on.
• Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts: the state agency that governs the CTCM and CTCD credentials and maintains official certification policies.

Sources & last verified

1. Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts - Statewide Procurement Division — time limit, exam fee, delivery, registration deadline (official source). “A two-hour maximum time limit is allowed for each exam.” Verified Oct 27, 2026 · source checked Oct 21, 2026.
2. Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts - Statewide Procurement Division — passing score, retake policy, eligibility, late registration deadline (official source). “To receive certification, you must receive at least an 80% passing score on the exam.” Verified Oct 27, 2026 · source checked Oct 21, 2026.
3. Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts - Statewide Procurement Division — validity (official source). “Certifications are issued for three (3) years for Certified Texas Contract Developers and Certified Texas Contract Managers.” Verified Oct 27, 2026 · source checked Oct 21, 2026.
4. Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts - Statewide Procurement Division — other (official source). “section 1 the statewide procurement division” Verified Oct 29, 2026.

How we verify: editorial & fact-checking policy. Report an error: contact us.