CPA Exam Logistics 2026: The Application to Scheduling Pipeline
Step 1: Applying to Your State Board for Eligibility
The journey begins with determining how to apply for CPA exam eligibility through your specific jurisdiction. Each of the 55 jurisdictions has distinct requirements regarding the 150-hour rule and specific accounting versus general business credits. You must submit official transcripts to your state board or a designated evaluation service to prove you have met the educational requirements necessary to sit for the exam. This initial evaluation can take anywhere from four to eight weeks, depending on the volume of applications and the complexity of your academic history. Once the board confirms you meet the prerequisites, they will notify NASBA that you are eligible to sit for the exam. It is vital to ensure that your name on your application exactly matches your government-issued identification, as any discrepancy will lead to a denial of entry at the testing center later in the process.
Step 2: Receiving and Understanding Your Notice to Schedule (NTS)
Once your application is approved and you have paid the required examination fees, you will receive a Notice to Schedule (NTS) via the NASBA CPA portal. This document is the most critical piece of administrative paperwork in the process. The NTS lists the specific exam sections you are authorized to take—AUD, REG, FAR, or a Discipline section—and includes your unique Section ID number. Most NTS documents are valid for six months, though some jurisdictions like Virginia have shorter windows. You must take the exam before the expiration date printed on the NTS; otherwise, you forfeit your fees and must reapply. The NTS also serves as your admission ticket; you are strictly prohibited from entering the testing room without a printed or digital copy. Understanding the interplay between your NTS expiration and your study plan is a fundamental component of exam logistics.
Step 3: Scheduling Your Exam with Prometric
After securing your NTS, the next phase is Prometric CPA scheduling. Prometric is the third-party provider that manages the physical testing environment. You do not schedule through NASBA or the AICPA; instead, you use the Prometric website to locate a testing center and select a date and time. Availability varies significantly by location; urban centers may fill up months in advance, especially during the final weeks of a testing window. When scheduling, you will need your NTS Section ID to confirm your identity. It is advisable to schedule your appointment at least 45 to 60 days in advance to secure your preferred date. If you require testing accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), these must be pre-approved by your state board before you attempt to schedule with Prometric, as the test center must ensure the necessary resources are available for your specific session.
Understanding the 2026 Testing Windows and Blackout Periods
Quarterly Testing Windows Explained
The CPA testing windows 2026 follow a structured quarterly cycle designed to manage the flow of candidates and the complexity of psychometric grading. These windows typically run from the first day of the quarter through the 10th day of the final month of that quarter (e.g., January 1 to March 10). This structure allows the AICPA to collect sufficient data to perform Item Response Theory (IRT) analysis, ensuring that the difficulty of different exam versions is statistically equated. For candidates, this means that while you have flexibility within the window, you must be aware of the "dark periods" where no testing occurs. Planning your exam date for the beginning of a window may offer more flexibility for a retake within the same year, whereas testing at the very end of a window provides more study time but delays your score notification.
The Purpose of Blackout Months for Scoring
Blackout periods occur during the latter portions of March, June, September, and December. During these times, the testing servers are often taken offline for maintenance, and the AICPA focuses on the scoring calibration process. Because the CPA exam includes Task-Based Simulations (TBS) that require complex grading algorithms—and in some cases, human review for written communication tasks in specific disciplines—the blackout period serves as a buffer. This time is used to aggregate performance data across all candidates to determine the "cut score" and ensure that the 0-99 scale remains consistent across different test forms. You cannot sit for an exam during these periods, making them the ideal time to transition your study materials to the next section or take a brief hiatus from the rigorous preparation cycle.
Planning Your Study Schedule Around Windows
Strategic candidates align their study intensity with the opening and closing of these windows. If you aim to pass all four sections within a single calendar year, your CPA exam scheduling must be precise. A common strategy is to schedule a Core section (like FAR or AUD) at the beginning of a window (e.g., early April) and a Discipline section toward the end of the same window (e.g., early June). This approach maximizes the use of the 18-month (or 30-month, depending on jurisdiction) credit residency period that begins the moment you pass your first section. By understanding the window dates, you can avoid the "dead zone" of the blackout months where you are unable to test, ensuring that your knowledge of the material remains fresh and you do not lose momentum between sections.
The Continuous Testing Model and Retake Strategies
How Continuous Testing Speeds Up Your Journey
The implementation of continuous testing CPA rules has revolutionized the path to licensure by removing the old restriction that prevented candidates from retaking a failed section within the same window. Under the current model, as soon as your score is released and processed—provided you did not pass—you can apply for a new NTS and schedule a retake immediately. This mechanism is vital for maintaining the "forgetting curve" at a manageable level. Instead of waiting three months to re-test on material you have already studied, you can often sit for the retake within 21 to 30 days. This rapid turnaround is especially beneficial for candidates who score in the 70-74 range, where only a minor adjustment in higher-order thinking or technical application is needed to reach the passing mark of 75.
Applying for a Retake After a Failed Section
If you receive a failing score, the logistics for a retake are slightly different than the initial application. You do not need to resubmit your transcripts to the state board. Instead, you log into the NASBA CPA portal and request a "Re-examination Registration." You will pay the registration fee and the exam section fee again. Once the payment is processed, a new NTS is issued. It is important to review your Candidate Performance Report, which NASBA provides if you fail. This report breaks down your performance into "Comparable," "Stronger," or "Weaker" categories relative to candidates who passed. Using this data to refine your study strategy before you schedule your retake through Prometric ensures that you are not simply repeating the same mistakes but are actively closing knowledge gaps.
Managing NTS Validity for Multiple Sections
While it may be tempting to "bundle" multiple sections on a single NTS to save on registration fees, this requires disciplined logistical management. Because the NTS has a fixed expiration date, usually six months, you are essentially putting yourself on a strict clock for all sections listed on that document. If you experience a personal emergency or find that one section requires more study time than anticipated, you may find yourself unable to schedule the remaining sections before the NTS expires. Professional candidates often prefer a "one-by-one" or "two-by-two" approach. This limits the financial risk of forfeited fees and allows for greater flexibility in scheduling around professional commitments, such as "busy season" in public accounting or year-end closes in corporate environments.
Tracking and Understanding CPA Score Release Dates
Where to Find the Official Score Release Timeline
The AICPA publishes the official CPA score release dates twice a year, covering the first and second halves of the calendar year. These dates are not suggestions; they are the specific milestones when the AICPA transmits scores to NASBA. You can find these timelines on the AICPA's "Find Out When You'll Get Your CPA Exam Score" page or the NASBA website. Scores are typically released in batches based on when you took the exam within the window. For example, if you take the exam in the first half of a window, you will likely receive your score mid-window. If you take it in the second half, you will wait until after the window closes. Knowing these dates allows you to plan your "next steps" and manage the anxiety that often accompanies the waiting period.
What Happens During the Score Processing Blackout
During the period between your exam date and the release date, your data undergoes a rigorous verification process. First, Prometric transmits your raw data to the AICPA within 24 hours. The AICPA then applies the weighted scoring model. Each multiple-choice question (MCQ) and TBS is evaluated; some questions are "pre-test" items and do not count toward your score, though you will not know which ones they are. The scoring process also includes a quality control check to ensure that no technical glitches impacted your performance. This is why scores are not "instant." The complexity of ensuring that a 75 in one jurisdiction is equivalent to a 75 in another requires this centralized processing time. This period is also when the AICPA performs statistical validation on new questions introduced in the current cycle.
How to Access Your Scores When Released
On the day of the release, scores are usually posted to the NASBA CPA portal starting at 8:00 PM Central Time the night before the official date, though this is not guaranteed. You will need your Section ID or your candidate login credentials to access the score. For candidates in "non-NASBA states" (such as California or Illinois), you may need to log into your specific State Board of Accountancy website to see your results. Once the score is visible, you will see a number between 0 and 99. A score of 75 or higher is a passing grade. It is important to download and save your score notice immediately, as these portals often archive older scores, and you may need the physical document for your licensing application or to prove your status to an employer.
Prometric Test Center Procedures and What to Expect
Check-In, Security, and Personal Belongings
Arrival at the Prometric center should occur at least 30 minutes before your scheduled appointment. The check-in process is comparable to airport security. You will be required to provide two forms of identification and your NTS. Prometric staff will use a metal detector wand, ask you to turn out your pockets, and may perform a digital fingerprint or palm vein scan. You are provided a small locker for personal belongings, as nothing—including watches, tissues, or jewelry—is allowed in the testing room. The only items you may bring to your station are your NTS and your identification. Failure to comply with these security protocols can result in an immediate dismissal from the exam and a report to the Board of Accountancy for "candidate misconduct," which can jeopardize your future licensure.
Once seated, you will be logged into a secure terminal. The CPA exam interface includes several built-in tools: a basic functional calculator, a digital notepad (scratch paper is usually provided as physical booklets or boards), and authoritative literature access for the research tasks. You are also given a standardized 15-minute break after the third "testlet" (the first TBS section), which does not count against your four-hour exam clock. It is crucial to manage your time effectively across the five testlets. A common pitfall is spending too much time on the MCQs, leaving insufficient time for the complex TBSs in the latter half of the exam. Most successful candidates aim to complete the MCQs within 90 to 100 minutes, leaving over two hours for the simulations.
Post-Exam Procedures and Score Preview
After submitting the final testlet, you will be prompted to complete a brief survey about your testing experience. Upon exiting the testing room, the Prometric proctor will provide you with a Confirmation of Attendance form. This document is not a score report; it simply proves that you sat for the exam and provides instructions on how to check your score later. There is no "unofficial score" or "pass/fail" indication provided at the site. It is essential to keep this confirmation until your official score is posted in the NASBA CPA portal. If there were any technical issues during your session, such as a computer freeze or software lag, you must ensure the proctor files a "Candidate Care Report" before you leave the building to preserve your right to appeal any potential scoring errors.
Managing Fees, Rescheduling, and NTS Expiration
Breakdown of CPA Exam Fees and Payments
The financial commitment of the CPA exam is significant and involves multiple types of fees. First, there is the Application Fee or Registration Fee paid to the state board or NASBA, which covers the administrative cost of processing your eligibility. Second, there are the Examination Fees for each of the four sections. As of 2026, these fees typically range from $250 to $350 per section, depending on the jurisdiction. Some states also charge a separate licensing fee once all parts are passed. It is important to note that these fees are generally non-refundable. If you pay for four sections but only take two before your NTS expires, the money for the remaining two sections is lost. Therefore, incremental payment is often the most fiscally responsible strategy.
Policies and Costs for Rescheduling/Canceling
Life events often necessitate changes to your exam date, but Prometric CPA scheduling changes come with a cost. If you reschedule or cancel your appointment 30 or more days in advance, there is typically no fee or a very minimal one. However, if you reschedule between 5 and 29 days before your appointment, Prometric charges a fee (often around $35). If you reschedule within 1 to 4 days of the appointment, the fee increases significantly (often over $80). If you fail to show up or attempt to cancel within 24 hours of the exam, you forfeit the entire exam fee for that section. These rules are strictly enforced to ensure that testing seats are not left empty while other candidates are waiting for an opening.
What to Do If Your NTS Expires
If your NTS expires before you take the exam, the authorization becomes void. You cannot "extend" an NTS under normal circumstances, except in cases of extreme documented hardship (e.g., military deployment or medical emergency). If your NTS expires, you must wait for the system to clear the expired record—which can take a few days—and then apply for a new NTS through the NASBA CPA portal, paying the registration and section fees again. To avoid this, many candidates use a "rolling" application strategy: they apply for a new NTS the moment they finish their previous exam. This ensures they always have an active NTS ready for the next window, allowing them to take advantage of the continuous testing model without administrative delays.