As industry and business pressures rise, corporate legal teams are facing demand to deliver services at increasing speed and scale – and for the vast majority, contracts lie at the heart of this growing workload. 

More than ever before, efficient contract lifecycle management is one of the most critical workflows for high-performing legal teams to get right. And with ways of working evolving fast, contracts represent a key opportunity for in-house lawyers to future-proof their skill sets.

It’s no surprise, then, that many in-house legal professionals are becoming curious about dedicated contract management certifications. But in an increasingly nuanced marketplace, it can be difficult to know where best to invest your time and money. 

In this guide, we’ve reviewed some of the best contract management courses available across multiple jurisdictions in 2025, and selected the five that we think deliver the most value for ambitious in-house legal professionals.

 

What is contract management, and why is it so important?

Within the context of in-house legal work, contract lifecycle management (CLM) can be defined as the end-to-end administration and oversight of commercial agreements, from creation and negotiation through to execution and renewal. 

As the operational backbone of most in-house legal teams, contracts act as an anchor for broader commercial outcomes. Inefficient contract management can create bottlenecks, increase risk exposure, and reduce velocity across multiple business functions. 

On the flip side, a sophisticated approach to contract management can dramatically enhance operational efficiency, reduce risk through better process and visibility, and fully leverage the role of commercial contracts as strategic business tools. 

For businesses that manage large volumes of complex contract work (for example, across procurement, sales, and quality assurance) contract management is big business. So much so that, for some, it has evolved into its own discrete function – with dedicated contract managers tasked with overseeing the contract lifecycle from start to finish.

While it’s increasingly common in procurement and sales-driven functions for the operational side of contracting to be handled by specialists who have not always received formal legal training, the reality is that most complex and high-value contract work remains, by necessity, within the remit of in-house legal. 

And as contract workflows evolve swiftly under the influence of technology, in-house lawyers face an expectation not only to mitigate risk and accelerate turnaround times, but to apply a strategic lens to contract management which influences revenue generation for the business.

 

Why undertake a contract management certification?

As the emphasis on efficient and strategic contract management continues to grow, many in-house lawyers are choosing to meet the challenge head-on by investing in dedicated contract management certifications. 

Professional contract management courses are an incredibly valuable way for in-house lawyers to upskill, develop their advanced contract management capabilities, and future-proof their career prospects – all while passing on a key source of competitive advantage to their legal teams and wider organizations.

However, with so many options on the market (not all of which are designed for in-house counsel) it’s imperative to choose a contract management course which caters to the unique demands of your work, and which offers a tangible competitive advantage within your industry. 

 

How to choose the right contract management course 

For busy in-house lawyers, time is at a premium, and any investment in continued professional development needs to be worth the time and financial outlay.

Contract management certifications come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and can be obtained from a number of recognized institutions across various jurisdictions. The most appropriate contract management course for any individual in-house legal professional will depend on a number of factors.

So, before we dive into our top picks for the best contract management certifications currently available, here are some key considerations to keep in mind to make sure you choose the right course for your needs:

 

1. Who is the course designed for? 

Not all contract management certifications are designed specifically with the needs of in-house legal professionals in mind. 

Many courses are geared towards non-legal professionals, usually with a strong focus on sales and procurement. While there’s some relevant content in these courses, their utility within the context of in-house legal work is limited.

For in-house legal professionals, the right contract management certification will cover more than the technical and operational elements of the contract process. To add real value to your skill set, look for a course which addresses the commercial context that surrounds your contract work, from handling complex negotiations and tracking legal spend to managing stakeholder relationships and aligning with broader business goals.

 

2. Does the course support your long-term career goals?

If you’re a legal or general counsel, consider what you want your career to look like in five or ten years’ time. Choosing a certification which takes a holistic approach to contract management (for example, by connecting the dots between day-to-day contract processes with the broader strategic role of the legal function) is likely to position you well for future moves into senior roles. 

If you’re in legal operations, your focus may be slightly different. Look for a course which places a stronger emphasis on optimising the operational side of contract management, and less on the relationship between contracts and the delivery of complex or strategic legal advice.

 

3. Does the course support your legal team’s strategic goals? 

If you’re just starting out in your legal career and don’t work within a specific organization, this isn’t something you’ll need to worry about as yet. However, if you’re already working in-house,  you might want to take your department’s strategic priorities into account when assessing which contract management course is most worth your time. 

Is your legal department viewed internally as a strategic enabler driving business outcomes? Or is it still relatively siloed, battling the perception that legal is only there to mitigate risk and tends to hinder, rather than enable, broader initiatives? 

If the latter sounds familiar, consider prioritizing a course which approaches contract management from the perspective of legal’s enabling role in moving the business forward.

 

4. Is the course appropriate for your sector and jurisdiction?

Not all certifications are relevant to every sector or legal system, so be sure to check these boxes, especially when it comes to distance learning. Find out who delivers the course and assess their industry credentials. 

If you work in government, look for content which is tailored to the public sector, or is officially recognized by your jurisdiction. In the private sector, jurisdiction matters too – but equally important is whether course content is evidence-based and grounded in the real-world challenges faced by in-house legal teams. Programs informed by practicing lawyers are a strong indicator of practical value.

 

5. Do you have any time or budget limitations? 

Contract management courses vary widely in price, and cost doesn’t always reflect quality. If you’re on a tighter budget, don’t be discouraged; we’ve found a number of excellent low cost and even free-of-charge options available.

Then there’s the time commitment. Be realistic about how much time you can devote to a contract management certification without impacting your day job. Many providers offer flexible formats, from intensive short courses to longer, self-paced options. The more adaptable the provider, the better, as circumstances can change and you don’t want to find yourself locked into something you can’t finish!

 

Stepping back 

Whatever your circumstances, it’s important to ensure that, above all, whichever contract management certification you choose reflects the integrated nature of contract management as a component of in-house legal work – and that it sets you up well for wherever you (and your legal team) are headed in the near future. 

 

The top contract management certifications in 2025

With that in mind, here’s our curated list of the best contract management courses and certifications we’ve found for in-house legal professionals in 2025:

1. NCMA: Contract Management Certifications 

The NCMA (National Contract Management Association) is a US-based community of contract management professionals which spans both the public and private sectors. They offer a range of internationally recognized contract management certifications, including:

• Certified Contract Management Associate (CCMA): An entry level contract management course.
• Certified Federal Contract Manager™(CFCM): An intermediate course based on the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) which sets the procurement rules for goods and services for US government contractors. 
• Certified Commercial Contract Manager™(CCCM): An intermediate course based on the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) which governs domestic and international commercial transactions in the US.
• Certified Professional Contract Manager™(CPCM): NCMA’s pinnacle certification and their gold standard in contract management, best suited to executive level contract managers.  

Cost: Application fees for each course vary. Prices are all in USD and range from $90 to $295 for NCMA members and $425 for non-members. Exam fees are $135 for candidates in the US and Canada, and $160 for those studying internationally.

Time commitment: The time taken to complete these courses varies by program. Study is self-paced and includes a number of preparatory hours. Candidates generally complete these courses between six to 12 months. 

Jurisdiction: Global (US-focused)

Sector: Public and private sectors 

Best suited to: US-based legal and non-legal contract managers of all levels with financial means who are looking to commit to a well-recognized, tiered system of professional certification over the longer term.

 

2. WCC: Contract Management: Build Relationships in Business

The WCC (World Commerce and Contracting) is the international association for commercial and contract management. They offer a well-respected online course created in partnership with the UK Cabinet Office, the University of Southampton, and Civil Service Learning.

Cost: Free

Time commitment: The WCC course takes three weeks to complete, with a time commitment of three hours per week (a total of nine hours overall).

Jurisdiction: Global (UK-focused)

Sector: Public and private sectors 

Best suited to: UK-based legal and non-legal professionals at all levels of the public and private sectors who are looking for an entry-level course on a budget and value the credentials of government-backed training. 

 

3. The LawVu In-House Academy: The Connected Legal Certification and The Legal Fundamentals Certification

LawVu is a globally recognized in-house legal technology software company which offers evidence-based modern professional certifications for in-house legal professionals across the full spectrum of corporate legal work.  

Two core certifications are offered as part of the LawVu In-House Academy:

• The Connected Legal Function (CLF): The CLF is the original comprehensive certification for in-house legal professionals. The course covers contract management fundamentals alongside the other core elements of in-house legal work, all anchored in a step-by-step framework designed to help legal teams foster productivity, engagement and strategic impact across the entire business.
• Legal Tech Fundamentals (LTF): The LTF is a first of its kind certification dedicated to imparting best practices for the use of legal technology within in-house legal teams. With a strong contract management focus, the course also delivers detailed guidance on data-driven reporting, matter management, spend management and intake. 

Cost: Free

Time commitment: Courses can be undertaken at whatever speed best suits candidates, but both can be completed within a few hours.  

Jurisdiction: Global

Sector: Public and private sectors 

Best suited to: CLF and LTF certifications are best suited to in-house lawyers looking to advance their holistic skill sets with contract management at the core. 

Both courses are industry-researched and tailor-made for in-house legal professionals across multiple jurisdictions, including general counsel, in-house counsel and legal operations professionals, can be undertaken at your own pace and are free to complete. 

 

4. Villanova University: Contract Management Certificate

This professional contract management certification from Villanova University offers a hands-on course for both legal and non-legal professionals which covers the full contract lifecycle (based on key US regulatory frameworks like the UCC, FAR and CMBOK). The program also supports preparatory hours for NCMA certifications.

Cost: The certificate program is currently priced at USD $5,342.25.

Time commitment: Villanova’s course requires a time commitment of 12.5 hours per week for a total of 18 weeks.

Jurisdiction: US

Sector: Public and private sectors 

Best suited to: Ideal for US-based, entry-to mid-level non-legal professionals – or entry-level legal professionals in support roles whose work is focused on procurement or supply chain issues.

 

5. The ACC In-House Counsel Certification

ACC (The Association for Corporate Counsel) is a global legal association which supports the professional and business interests of in-house counsel. Their in-house counsel certification covers best practice competencies for corporate counsel professionals, including the core fundamentals of contract management. 

Cost: Course fees are in USD and range from $1,900.00 to $2,300.00 depending on whether or not candidates are ACC members. 

Time commitment: The ACC course is an intensive two-week time commitment. 

Jurisdiction: Global (US-focused)

Sector: Private sector focus 

Best suited to: US-based early career in-house lawyers, particularly those with corporate sponsorship, who are seeking to develop their fundamental contract management skills as part of a broader essential skills course. 

 

Top contract management courses: Final recommendations 

With so many contract management courses on offer in 2025, choosing the right one can be overwhelming. Whether you’re just starting out, looking to upskill strategically, or ready to pursue an advanced credential, the most suitable certification for you will depend on where you’re at in your personal and career journey. 

If you’re still undecided, here are our top overall category recommendations:

 

Best for beginners: NCMA (CCMA)

A strong and internationally-recognized entry-level certification for legal and non-legal professionals alike, this course is our top pick for junior in-house counsel or legal ops professionals who are just starting to work with contracts for the first time – particularly in the US.

Most budget-friendly: WCC

UK government backed and free of charge, it’s hard to compete with WCC’s offering when it comes to value. Developed with the UK Cabinet Office and University of Southampton, this one is ideal for entry-level lawyers in the UK who are looking for quality training at no cost.

Best advanced course: NCMA (CPCM)

For executive level contract management specialists, both legal and non-legal, the CPCM is indisputable as a top-tier credential, particularly within the US. 

For those who can afford the time and cost, we think this program is the most rigorous in its category for senior professionals looking to develop their contract management capabilities to gold standard. 

Best comprehensive course for in-house counsel: The Connected Legal Certification

The only multi-jurisdictional, free-of-charge course we’ve found designed specifically for in-house legal teams, the CLF is a no-brainer for corporate counsel looking to upskill in 2025.

These self-paced certifications combine contract management fundamentals with the full spectrum of professional skills required to succeed in a modern legal team – all grounded in evidence-based research from real-world in-house practice. We think that’s hard to beat!

 

Ready to get certified?

Whether you’re a budding or experienced in-house legal professional, choosing the right contract management course is an important step in advancing your career and strengthening your legal team’s impact – and there’s a lot of choice out there.  

At LawVu, we ultimately recommend undertaking a professional certification which not only aligns with your personal goals, but which also supports your in-house team’s broader priorities. And if you’re part of an in-house team, we hope that might start with the LawVu Legal Academy!

If you’re ready to get certified in the Connected Legal Framework (CLF) and Legal Tech Fundamentals (LTF), click here now.