CPA Exam Dates 2026
The 2026 CPA Exam schedule has two parts: core sections and discipline sections. Core sections AUD, FAR and REG use rolling score releases throughout the year. Discipline sections BAR, ISC and TCP are tested in the first month of each quarter. The tables below give the current AICPA target score release dates first, then explain how to use them for registration, NTS timing, Prometric scheduling and score access.
This page is designed for candidates who need dates they can act on. Use the AICPA table to plan score timing, use NASBA guidance to understand score posting and notices, and always confirm your own state board or jurisdiction rules before paying or booking travel.
Quick answer: Core target score releases run from February 10, 2026 through January 12, 2027. Discipline target releases are March 13, June 16, September 11, and December 15, 2026. AICPA lists these as target dates, so candidates should leave a margin instead of booking only on the final cutoff date.
CPA score release dates 2026: core sections
For AUD, FAR and REG, the AICPA publishes cutoff dates based on when it receives your exam file and the related target release date. Use this table to plan when you want a result, not just when you want to sit.
| If AICPA receives your exam file by | Target score release date | Best use of this cutoff |
|---|---|---|
| January 23, 2026 | February 10, 2026 | Good for starting the year with a fast score turnaround. |
| February 14, 2026 | February 24, 2026 | Useful if you want a February result before planning March study. |
| March 9, 2026 | March 17, 2026 | One of the shortest target waits in the first quarter. |
| March 31, 2026 | April 9, 2026 | Helpful for candidates timing a quick Q2 decision. |
| April 23, 2026 | May 7, 2026 | Fits candidates trying to move quickly into a summer section. |
| May 16, 2026 | May 27, 2026 | Useful before the heavier June testing period. |
| June 8, 2026 | June 16, 2026 | Lets you see a core result in mid-June. |
| June 30, 2026 | July 10, 2026 | Clean end-of-quarter timing for a July decision. |
| July 23, 2026 | August 7, 2026 | Useful for summer test takers planning a fall section. |
| August 15, 2026 | August 25, 2026 | One of the main late-summer checkpoints. |
| September 7, 2026 | September 15, 2026 | Strong option if you want a result before late-September planning. |
| September 30, 2026 | October 9, 2026 | Useful if you are trying to shape a Q4 push. |
| October 23, 2026 | November 10, 2026 | Important for candidates deciding whether to close out the year strong. |
| November 15, 2026 | November 24, 2026 | Pre-holiday score timing for year-end planning. |
| December 8, 2026 | December 16, 2026 | Fast December result for candidates still testing late in the year. |
| December 31, 2026 | January 12, 2027 | Year-end cutoff rolling into the first release of 2027. |
The strongest way to use this table is to choose the score date first, then work backward to the testing date. If you need a result before moving to the next section, pick an earlier cutoff with a margin. If you are comfortable studying the next section before the result arrives, use the schedule to keep momentum without waiting unnecessarily.
CPA discipline exam dates 2026
Discipline sections work differently. If you are taking BAR, ISC or TCP, the testing opportunity is the first month of each quarter. Missing that month means waiting for the next discipline window.
| Discipline testing dates | Target score release date | Sections covered |
|---|---|---|
| January 1 to January 31, 2026 | March 13, 2026 | BAR, ISC, TCP |
| April 1 to April 30, 2026 | June 16, 2026 | BAR, ISC, TCP |
| July 1 to July 31, 2026 | September 11, 2026 | BAR, ISC, TCP |
| October 1 to October 31, 2026 | December 15, 2026 | BAR, ISC, TCP |
Simple rule: core sections are flexible; discipline sections are calendar-constrained. Build discipline study plans around January, April, July or October.
Discipline timing naturally creates longer waits. You may take the section in the first month of the quarter but receive the result later in the quarter. That is normal for the 2026 schedule. Candidates who want fewer pauses often use core sections to maintain study momentum and place the discipline section at a point where the wait will not disrupt the rest of the plan.
CPA exam schedule 2026: core vs discipline
AUD, FAR and REG
Availability: core sections use rolling score releases throughout the year. These are usually the better fit when you want scheduling flexibility.
Planning takeaway: use the core release table to create faster decision points and avoid waiting too long before the next section.
BAR, ISC and TCP
Availability: discipline sections are administered in the first month of each quarter in 2026.
Planning takeaway: treat the discipline month as a hard anchor. Study backward from the quarter month and book early enough to get a practical Prometric seat.
If you remember one structural rule, use this: core equals rolling; discipline equals quarterly. That one distinction explains most of the 2026 CPA scheduling confusion.
CPA Evolution, section choice and current pass-rate context
Under CPA Evolution, every candidate takes AUD, FAR and REG, plus one discipline section: BAR, ISC or TCP. Passing any discipline leads to the same CPA license, so the discipline choice should be based on your background, interest and practical study plan rather than fear that one option creates a different license.
The AICPA scoring page currently lists the following 2026 Q1 pass rates. Pass rates should not decide your section order alone, but they are useful context when you are choosing a discipline or planning your year.
2026 Q1 pass rate: 47.80%
Core section. Often paired with audit or assurance experience.
2026 Q1 pass rate: 43.46%
Core section. Still often treated as a heavy content section.
2026 Q1 pass rate: 66.65%
Core section. Often attractive to tax-oriented candidates.
2026 Q1 pass rate: 41.30%
Discipline. Broad reporting and analysis focus.
2026 Q1 pass rate: 66.79%
Discipline. Often a natural fit for audit, systems and controls backgrounds.
2026 Q1 pass rate: 79.28%
Discipline. Strong fit for candidates with tax strength.
Those numbers are context, not a shortcut. A tax candidate may find REG + TCP natural, while a systems or assurance candidate may prefer AUD + ISC. A reporting-focused candidate may lean toward FAR + BAR. Choose based on overlap, not only on the highest pass-rate line.
CPA exam scoring in 2026: what 75 means
Current official scoring points: you need a 75 to pass a section. Scores are reported on a 0-99 scale, the score is not a percentage correct, and scores are not curved.
The AICPA explains that the total reported score combines scaled performance from multiple-choice questions and task-based simulations. For most sections, MCQs and TBSs are weighted 50/50. For ISC, the AICPA states that the weighting is 60% MCQs and 40% TBSs. That difference can affect how you study for the discipline section.
Score release matters because a score below 75 changes the next booking decision. A faster core release can help you pivot earlier. A discipline result may require a longer wait, so build your next move around the window rather than assuming all sections behave the same way.
Registration, NTS validity and Prometric scheduling
CPA registration is jurisdiction-driven. You are declared eligible through a state board or designated process, then you pay the relevant fees, receive a Notice to Schedule, and book through Prometric. The dates on this page help you plan the exam cycle, but your state board rules and NTS dates control your actual booking risk.
Your jurisdiction controls eligibility and application requirements.
Fees vary by jurisdiction and application type, so avoid assuming one national price.
Use the NTS dates carefully; expired sections generally require reapplication and new fees.
For discipline windows, book early because the testing month is narrower than core scheduling.
Prometric seat availability is separate from AICPA score-release timing. A release table tells you when to expect a target result; it does not guarantee the exact test-center date or time you want. This is especially important for discipline windows and candidates testing around busy work periods.
Where CPA scores post
NASBA says candidates can obtain scores through the CPA Mobile App and can still access scores from the Candidate Portal. NASBA also explains that score notices or performance reports are posted to the CPA Portal within 72 hours from when the advisory score is posted, and the detailed performance report is available for failed scores.
Recordkeeping tip: NASBA says the account does not permanently house every old score. Download or print your score notice while it is still available.
Some state boards can take additional time beyond the target release date to process and release scores. Treat the AICPA date as the point to start checking, then follow NASBA and your jurisdiction's instructions for the final posting path.
How the 30-month CPA credit window works in 2026
AICPA's current score-release resource says candidates must complete all four sections within at least 30 months of sitting the first section, and that some states extend the timeline to as long as three years. That is why a modern CPA schedule page should not use old 18-month wording as the default.
Best current wording: think in terms of a 30-month rolling window, then verify whether your jurisdiction gives a longer timeline.
The longer window gives many candidates more scheduling flexibility. It can make sense to start with a section you are most ready to pass, secure momentum, and then use the remaining window for heavier or less familiar content.
Best 2026 CPA testing strategies
Use rolling core sections for faster feedback
Core sections give you more date flexibility. Use the cutoff table to create decision points instead of testing randomly.
Plan discipline sections around the quarter month
If you want BAR, ISC or TCP, January, April, July and October are the true testing anchors.
Pair related content where it helps
REG plus TCP, AUD plus ISC, and FAR plus BAR can make sense when your background supports the overlap.
Respect jurisdiction rules
Your NTS validity, fees and credit window can vary. The national schedule is only one layer of the plan.
Related RevisionTown resources
These internal links support candidates who need accounting, finance and professional-exam context beyond the CPA date table.
Useful comparison for another professional accounting credential. ACCA Exam Dates 2026
Helpful for international accounting exam comparisons. Accounting Study Notes
Core accounting concepts that support exam prep. Accounting Notes
Quick review support for technical weak areas. Accounting Principles and Concepts
Useful for FAR-style foundational review. Accounting Calculator Online
Helpful companion utility for accounting work. Finance Calculators
Related finance tools for planning and coursework. All Exam Timetables 2026
Broader exam-calendar hub across other qualifications. Sources of Finance
Relevant for accounting and business foundations. Business Studies Finance Notes
Additional finance support material.
CPA exam FAQs 2026
Final 2026 CPA planning summary
This page is now structured as a CPA schedule hub: exact date tables first, planning rules second, and jurisdiction cautions where they matter. Use the AICPA release dates to plan result timing, NASBA guidance to understand score posting, and your own board rules to confirm NTS validity, fees and final licensing timelines.
Bottom line: for 2026, core sections are flexible and discipline sections are quarterly. Build your CPA plan around that split, leave a margin before cutoff dates, and verify jurisdiction-specific rules before booking.