CPA exam dates and scheduling
CPA exam dates depend on the section. The Core sections (AUD, FAR and REG) can be taken on almost any business day, subject to Prometric availability and the blackout periods around score processing; the Discipline sections (BAR, ISC and TCP) are offered only in the first month of each quarter, per the AICPA’s schedule.
How to book your CPA exam dates
Four steps, and the slow one is not the one people expect. Allow six weeks between deciding to apply and sitting down in the test center; our guide to the CPA application process covers each step. You pay NASBA for your Notice to Schedule, then book through Prometric.
| Step | What happens | How long |
|---|---|---|
| Apply to your board | Transcripts evaluated, application fee paid | 2 to 6 weeks |
| Receive your ATT | Authorization to Test issued by your board | 1 to 2 weeks |
| Pay NASBA, get your NTS | Notice to Schedule, valid six months | 3 to 5 days |
| Book at Prometric | Choose center, date and time | Same day |
Rescheduling, and what it costs
| Notice given | Fee | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| 60 days or more | Free | Move it without thinking twice |
| 31 to 60 days | $30 | Still far cheaper than failing |
| 5 to 30 days | $60 | Still far cheaper than failing |
| Under 5 days, up to 24 hours | $93.61 | Painful but sometimes right |
| Under 24 hours | No reschedule, fee forfeited | Do not let it get here |
Prometric fees per the NASBA CPA Exam Candidate Guide (May 20, 2026)
Popular centers in large metros fill six to eight weeks out, and the slots that disappear first are the morning ones. Book the date, then work backwards — an exam on the calendar is the best study discipline there is, and moving it 60 or more days out costs nothing.
Turn your booked dates into a weekly plan with the CPA study schedule planner. Note that no CPA exams will be given from July 1 to July 11, 2027, while the exam moves to a new delivery platform.
Common questions
Are there still testing windows?
Only for the Discipline sections. The Core sections (AUD, FAR and REG) can be taken on almost any business day, subject to Prometric availability and short blackout periods around score processing. The Discipline sections (BAR, ISC and TCP) are offered only in the first month of each quarter, so plan your Discipline date early.
How far ahead should I book?
Six to eight weeks for popular metro centers, and further for morning slots. Book the date before you feel ready — a fixed date is the best study discipline there is.
What happens if my NTS expires?
You forfeit the fees for any section you did not sit and have to reapply and pay again. Calendar the expiry date the day you receive it.
When will I get my CPA exam score?
Scores follow a published release schedule rather than arriving a fixed number of days after you test. Our CPA score release dates page lists the current schedule.
Sources: NASBA CPA Exam FAQ and NASBA CPA Exam Candidate Guide, checked October 13, 2026.