I would think that if the system cpan (i.e. /usr/bin/cpan) complains "Hey I'm not up to date! Please update me": 
.............
  New CPAN.pm version (v2.10) available.
  [Currently running version is v2.00]
  You might want to try
    install CPAN
    reload cpan
  to both upgrade CPAN.pm and run the new version without leaving
  the current session.

[download]
then if you follow its instructions it should work, no?

In reply to Re^2: CPAN on El Capitan by adefaria
in thread CPAN on El Capitan by rhumbliner

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