How Do You Take the CPA Exam?

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Author: Jenna Elkins, Communications and Digital Media Specialist, NASBA
Posted: October 3, 2018

Received your Notice to Schedule (NTS)? It is time to take your CPA Exam. The Exam is not given at the end of each calendar quarter to allow for systems and databank maintenance, so make sure you are aware of the testing windows. It is important you plan accordingly as it is your responsibility to schedule the sections of the Exam in a way that allows you to complete all four parts of the Exam in a timely manner, without losing credit for a section that you may have previously passed.

You have an 18-month period to complete all four parts of the CPA Exam, and you can take any or all sections of the Exam during any testing window and in any order. However, you may not take the same section more than once during any one testing window.

Once you’ve decided on when to take the Exam, you will need to schedule your Exam. The Exam can be taken at any one of the authorized Prometric test centers in the United States or designated international locations, whether or not the test center is located within the borders of the jurisdiction where you are seeking your initial license. Note: your Board of Accountancy will inform you if there are any restrictions on the locations where you can take the Exam. The most current list of test centers may be found on the Prometric website.

The easiest and quickest way to schedule an Exam appointment is on the Prometric website.

Another option to schedule your CPA Exam is to call Prometric’s Candidate Services Call Center at 800-580-9648. The call center is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (ET). You must schedule a separate appointment for each section of the Exam you are planning to take, and it is not necessary to make all appointments in one call.

With either option, make sure you have your NTS in front of you. You will be required to provide the customer service representative with various pieces of information from the NTS.

Once your appointment(s) is scheduled, you will receive an email confirmation. If you do not receive an email confirmation, please visit the Prometric website to print a confirmation of your appointment.

For more detailed information about how to take your CPA Exam, please refer to the Candidate Guide.