How Long to Get Your NTS for the CPA Exam

Obtaining your Notice to Schedule (NTS) for the CPA Exam is a fundamental step in becoming a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). The NTS is an official authorization document issued by the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) or your state board, confirming your eligibility to sit for specific sections of the CPA Exam. It serves as your essential ticket to schedule exam dates at Prometric testing centers, and without it, you cannot proceed to take any part of the exam.

Preparing Your NTS Application

Before submitting an NTS application, candidates must prepare all required information and documents. A foundational requirement for CPA licensure in most jurisdictions is completing 150 semester hours of higher education, which typically includes a bachelor’s degree. These credit hours generally encompass specific amounts of accounting and business coursework, though these specific numbers can vary by state board. While some states allow candidates to sit for the exam with 120 credit hours, the full 150 hours are almost universally required for licensure.

Official college transcripts are a mandatory component of the application. These documents must be sent directly from your educational institution to your state board of accountancy or a designated evaluation service. If educational credentials are from international institutions, an education evaluation may be necessary.

Services like NASBA’s International Evaluation Services (NIES) assess foreign transcripts to determine their U.S. equivalency, a process that can take approximately six weeks once all required documents are received. These evaluation services require official documents sent directly from the issuing institution. Once educational requirements are met and verified, candidates gather personal details, educational history, and the specific exam sections they intend to take to complete the application forms.

Submitting Your NTS Application

After successfully preparing all necessary documents and information, the next step involves submitting the NTS application. This process is most commonly completed through an online portal, either directly with your state board of accountancy or through NASBA’s CPA Candidate Portal. Candidates input personal and educational details, confirm desired exam sections, and upload any required supporting documents.

Submission requires paying the application and examination fees. These fees vary by jurisdiction and the number of sections applied for, typically ranging from $100-$200 for the initial application fee, plus individual section fees. Once the application and payment are submitted, candidates receive immediate confirmation. While online submission is the prevailing method, some jurisdictions might still offer a mail-in option, requiring candidates to send a physical package.

Understanding the NTS Timeline

The time to receive your NTS varies, typically ranging from 3 to 6 weeks after application approval and fee payment. First-time applicants may experience longer waits, up to 8 weeks, especially with documentation issues. Subsequent NTS requests for additional sections often process faster, sometimes within days.

Several factors influence the processing timeline. Each state board operates with its own procedures and processing speeds, leading to variations across jurisdictions. Incomplete applications are a common cause of delays, as they require additional communication. Delays in receiving official transcripts or extended timeframes for educational evaluations, especially for international credentials, can also prolong the process. Applications submitted during peak periods might experience longer processing times due to higher volume.

Once issued, the NTS is typically available through the NASBA Candidate Portal. It contains essential details like your name, NTS ID, authorized exam sections, and expiration date. The NTS is valid for six months from issuance, though some jurisdictions offer up to 12 months. You must schedule and take your authorized exam section(s) with Prometric within this validity period. The NTS cannot be extended; if it expires, a new application and fees are required.