®
cpa exam
FAQ s
FR EQU E NTLY AS KE D QU E STION S
C PA E X A M R E V I E W
,applying, scheduling and
sitting for the cpa exam
HOW DO I APPLY FOR THE CPA EXAM?
Detailed information on how to apply, including state-by-state eligibility requirements,
step-by-step application process and downloadable application forms, can be found
at becker.com/state.
To begin, you apply and pay a fee to your appropriate state or jurisdiction board of
accountancy, which will determine your eligibility to sit for the exam.
Once you have been deemed eligible, you will receive a notice to schedule (NTS),
which is required before you can schedule an exam date.
You then have a six-month window (except in specified states) during which you must
schedule your first exam (prometric.com/CPA or 1-800-580-9648). Exceptions to the
six-month window include: Texas (90 days); California, Louisiana, and Utah (9 months);
and North and South Dakota, and Virginia (12 months).
HOW LONG DOES THE APPLICATION PROCESS TAKE?
For first-time applicants, the application process usually takes from four to eight weeks.
Re-examination candidates can typically expect a shorter application period. Accurate
completion of applications and timely submission of all required information can help avoid
delays.
WHEN SHOULD I START THE APPLICATION PROCESS?
As soon as possible once you’ve decided to take the exam, and at least four months
before the date on which you actually want to take it. Completing the exam process
involves very strict deadlines and limited timeframes, including receiving your notice
to schedule, the window for scheduling, and the 18 months you have to successfully
complete all four parts of the exam.
The AICPA and Prometric recommend locking in a specific exam date at least 45 days
in advance. For example, if you want to sit for an exam on May 15, you should contact
Prometric by April 1 to make sure your chosen date is available. To ensure receipt by
April 1, you should begin the application process in early to mid-February.
You will not be permitted to schedule your exam fewer than five days in advance of its
date. For any specific date and testing site, candidate demand and site capacity may
affect availability.
2
, HOW, WHERE AND WHEN HOW MUCH DOES TAKING THE EXAM COST?
IS THE EXAM ADMINISTERED?
The cost for the exam will vary for each jurisdiction.
The CPA Exam is offered only in a computer-based format Estimated costs for first-time candidates applying to take
at authorized test centers located throughout the United all four sections typically range between $850 and $1050
States and its jurisdictions. It is administered year-round, (becker.com/accounting/state).
five or six days each week, except during the third month of
each quarter.
HOW MANY SECTIONS MAY I TAKE AT A TIME?
Prometric offers a “Test Drive” prior to the exam date You may sit for one or more exam sections during a given
to familiarize yourself with the look and feel of the exam testing window, but you may not take the same section
environment. For more information or to schedule, visit more than once in a given testing window. A failed section
prometric.com/testdrive. may be retaken in the next testing window, provided a new
NTS has been secured. Candidates can sit for the exam in
MUST I MEET THE EDUCATIONAL the first two months of every calendar quarter.
REQUIREMENTS BEFORE I TAKE THE EXAM?
Q1 JAN–FEB OPEN MAR CLOSED
Some jurisdictions allow candidates to sit for the exam
before completing all educational requirements provided
Q2 APR–MAY OPEN JUN CLOSED
the requirements are met within a certain time period.
Each jurisdiction determines the rules under which its Q3 JUL–AUG OPEN SEP CLOSED
candidates may sit. For more information about each
jurisdiction’s educational requirements, refer to becker.com/ Q4 OCT–NOV OPEN DEC CLOSED
accounting/state.
For more information on scheduling the exam in your state visit
becker.com/cpa
MAY I PHYSICALLY SIT FOR THE EXAM
OUTSIDE OF MY STATE OR JURISDICTION?
WHAT IF I MUST CHANGE
You may sit for the exam at any Prometric location MY SCHEDULED EXAM DATE?
regardless of your jurisdiction of application. However, you
You may reschedule appointments with Prometric up to
can only be registered with one state at a time. You must
30 days in advance of the scheduled date at no additional
meet the licensing state’s requirements, regardless of the
charge, or within 5 to 29 days for a fee of $35. Otherwise,
physical location in which you choose to sit for the exam
you must pay the full Prometric fee for the section you
and verify all pertinent information with the state board of
wish to reschedule. If you cancel an appointment without
accountancy to which you are applying.
rescheduling or fail to show at the scheduled time, you will
not receive refunds of any fees.
KEY CPA EXAM RESOURCES
Individuals must pass the CPA examination to qualify
prometric.com/CPA for licensure as a Certified Public Accountant in U.S.
jurisdictions. The exam is offered by American Institute
NASBA.org
of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and is
cpa-exam.org
administered by the National Association of State Boards of
Accountancy (NASBA), and Prometric, a leading provider
becker.com/CPA of testing services.
cpa exam
FAQ s
FR EQU E NTLY AS KE D QU E STION S
C PA E X A M R E V I E W
,applying, scheduling and
sitting for the cpa exam
HOW DO I APPLY FOR THE CPA EXAM?
Detailed information on how to apply, including state-by-state eligibility requirements,
step-by-step application process and downloadable application forms, can be found
at becker.com/state.
To begin, you apply and pay a fee to your appropriate state or jurisdiction board of
accountancy, which will determine your eligibility to sit for the exam.
Once you have been deemed eligible, you will receive a notice to schedule (NTS),
which is required before you can schedule an exam date.
You then have a six-month window (except in specified states) during which you must
schedule your first exam (prometric.com/CPA or 1-800-580-9648). Exceptions to the
six-month window include: Texas (90 days); California, Louisiana, and Utah (9 months);
and North and South Dakota, and Virginia (12 months).
HOW LONG DOES THE APPLICATION PROCESS TAKE?
For first-time applicants, the application process usually takes from four to eight weeks.
Re-examination candidates can typically expect a shorter application period. Accurate
completion of applications and timely submission of all required information can help avoid
delays.
WHEN SHOULD I START THE APPLICATION PROCESS?
As soon as possible once you’ve decided to take the exam, and at least four months
before the date on which you actually want to take it. Completing the exam process
involves very strict deadlines and limited timeframes, including receiving your notice
to schedule, the window for scheduling, and the 18 months you have to successfully
complete all four parts of the exam.
The AICPA and Prometric recommend locking in a specific exam date at least 45 days
in advance. For example, if you want to sit for an exam on May 15, you should contact
Prometric by April 1 to make sure your chosen date is available. To ensure receipt by
April 1, you should begin the application process in early to mid-February.
You will not be permitted to schedule your exam fewer than five days in advance of its
date. For any specific date and testing site, candidate demand and site capacity may
affect availability.
2
, HOW, WHERE AND WHEN HOW MUCH DOES TAKING THE EXAM COST?
IS THE EXAM ADMINISTERED?
The cost for the exam will vary for each jurisdiction.
The CPA Exam is offered only in a computer-based format Estimated costs for first-time candidates applying to take
at authorized test centers located throughout the United all four sections typically range between $850 and $1050
States and its jurisdictions. It is administered year-round, (becker.com/accounting/state).
five or six days each week, except during the third month of
each quarter.
HOW MANY SECTIONS MAY I TAKE AT A TIME?
Prometric offers a “Test Drive” prior to the exam date You may sit for one or more exam sections during a given
to familiarize yourself with the look and feel of the exam testing window, but you may not take the same section
environment. For more information or to schedule, visit more than once in a given testing window. A failed section
prometric.com/testdrive. may be retaken in the next testing window, provided a new
NTS has been secured. Candidates can sit for the exam in
MUST I MEET THE EDUCATIONAL the first two months of every calendar quarter.
REQUIREMENTS BEFORE I TAKE THE EXAM?
Q1 JAN–FEB OPEN MAR CLOSED
Some jurisdictions allow candidates to sit for the exam
before completing all educational requirements provided
Q2 APR–MAY OPEN JUN CLOSED
the requirements are met within a certain time period.
Each jurisdiction determines the rules under which its Q3 JUL–AUG OPEN SEP CLOSED
candidates may sit. For more information about each
jurisdiction’s educational requirements, refer to becker.com/ Q4 OCT–NOV OPEN DEC CLOSED
accounting/state.
For more information on scheduling the exam in your state visit
becker.com/cpa
MAY I PHYSICALLY SIT FOR THE EXAM
OUTSIDE OF MY STATE OR JURISDICTION?
WHAT IF I MUST CHANGE
You may sit for the exam at any Prometric location MY SCHEDULED EXAM DATE?
regardless of your jurisdiction of application. However, you
You may reschedule appointments with Prometric up to
can only be registered with one state at a time. You must
30 days in advance of the scheduled date at no additional
meet the licensing state’s requirements, regardless of the
charge, or within 5 to 29 days for a fee of $35. Otherwise,
physical location in which you choose to sit for the exam
you must pay the full Prometric fee for the section you
and verify all pertinent information with the state board of
wish to reschedule. If you cancel an appointment without
accountancy to which you are applying.
rescheduling or fail to show at the scheduled time, you will
not receive refunds of any fees.
KEY CPA EXAM RESOURCES
Individuals must pass the CPA examination to qualify
prometric.com/CPA for licensure as a Certified Public Accountant in U.S.
jurisdictions. The exam is offered by American Institute
NASBA.org
of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and is
cpa-exam.org
administered by the National Association of State Boards of
Accountancy (NASBA), and Prometric, a leading provider
becker.com/CPA of testing services.
