When Do You Get Your CPA Exam Results?
Demystify your CPA Exam score release. Gain essential insight into result timelines, access, and what to expect after testing.
Becoming a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) requires passing a rigorous examination. After investing significant time and effort in preparing for this demanding test, candidates eagerly anticipate the release of their scores. Understanding the process for receiving CPA exam results is an important step, as it helps manage expectations and facilitates planning for subsequent sections or career progression.
CPA Exam Score Release Schedule
The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) manage the release of CPA Exam scores. Scores are not released immediately or continuously, but on specific target dates throughout the year. The AICPA typically publishes the score release schedule twice annually, with dates for the first half of the year announced in December of the previous year, and dates for the second half by June of the current year.
For Core sections of the CPA Exam (AUD, FAR, REG), continuous testing allows for more frequent score releases. Candidates can generally expect their scores for these sections within one to two weeks after their exam date, aligning with approximately 15 different score release dates in a given year. In contrast, the Discipline sections (BAR, ISC, TCP) are administered during the first month of each quarter, leading to a more limited set of target release dates. Scores are typically published on NASBA’s CPA portal within 48 hours of this target date, though individual release times may vary slightly.
How to Access Your CPA Exam Scores
Once the CPA Exam scores have been released, candidates can access their results online. For most candidates across the United States, scores are available through the NASBA Candidate Account Portal. To view results, candidates must log in to their account on the NASBA website, often navigating to a section such as “View Exam Section History” or “Scores.”
It is important to use the login credentials established during the CPA exam application process. Candidates in certain states, including California, Illinois, Kentucky, Nevada, Oklahoma, North Dakota, and Maryland, must obtain their scores directly from their respective state board of accountancy’s website rather than the NASBA portal. Upon viewing the score, candidates should print or save a copy for their records, as scores are only visible on the NASBA portal for a limited time, usually until a specified “score available until” date.
Understanding Score Delays and Holds
While most CPA Exam scores are released on their target dates, some candidates may experience a delay or a score hold. These temporary delays are a common practice for high-stakes licensure examinations like the CPA Exam. One primary reason for delays is the need for thorough quality control checks and administrative reviews conducted by the AICPA. This process ensures the accuracy, fairness, and statistical validity of the exam questions and overall scoring, especially after significant changes to the exam content or structure, such as the CPA Evolution in 2024.
Additional analysis is required when new exam content is introduced to ensure that items are performing accurately and reliably across all candidates. Technical issues or instances requiring further investigation can also contribute to a delay in score release. If a score is delayed, candidates should monitor the NASBA Candidate Account Portal for updates and await communication from NASBA or their state board.