CPA exam score release dates and testing windows: complete 2025 schedule

For ambitious accountants, the CPA exam represents a gateway to a highly rewarding career. Those who pass the exam enjoy access to broader opportunities, higher salaries, and greater professional recognition.

With the recent introduction of the CPA Evolution initiative, it’s crucial that candidates understand the latest schedules, testing windows, and CPA exam score release dates. This guide will provide all the information you need to navigate the new CPA exam landscape. 

The CPA exam: what has changed?

Since its inception in 1896, the CPA exam has been regarded as one of the most challenging and renowned industry exams. Each year, tens of thousands of candidates take it, hoping to gain the prestigious CPA designation and take their careers to the next level. 

In recent years, however, the accounting industry has seen change at an unprecedented level. New technologies are transforming the way accountants operate. As a result, the skills and best practices CPAs need to operate effectively are changing too. 

CPA Evolution was launched in January 2024 in response to these shifts. A joint initiative by the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), it aims to help CPAs: 

• Gain the skills needed to thrive in a rapidly changing world
• Adapt to technological advancements and new best practices
• Address the evolving regulatory and business landscape

New CPA exam structure

Before the CPA Evolution changes were introduced in 2024, all candidates had to take and pass these four sections: 

• Auditing and Attestation (AUD)
• Business Environment and Concepts (BEC)
• Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR)
• Regulation (REG)

Now, under the new CPA Evolution regime, candidates have to pass the following three Core exam sections: 

• Auditing and Attestation (AUD)
• Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR)
• Taxation and Regulation (REG)

In addition, candidates can choose one Discipline section from the following three options, enabling them to prove specialization in certain areas of accountancy:

• Business Analysis and Reporting (BAR)
• Information Systems and Controls (ISC)
• Tax Compliance and Planning (TCP)

To simplify matters, we’ll compare the old exam format with the current one in the table below: 

2025 CPA exam score release schedule

For all Core sections, there are rolling testing windows throughout the year, meaning you can take your exam at any point. Exam scores are released roughly one to two weeks after the close of a testing window. 

For more info on CPA exam score release dates for Core sections, see the table below for details: 

For Discipline sections, testing windows will open during the first month of each quarter, with AICPA providing a second window in the second quarter to accommodate credit extensions through June. 

See the table below for more details on the CPA exam dates and score release schedule for Discipline sections:

The bottom line

Gaining a CPA license is a game-changer for ambitious accountants. If you plan to take the CPA exam this year, it’s crucial that you understand the new structure, as well as the different testing windows and release dates. We hope the information we’ve provided in this guide will help you. 

The key to CPA exam success is planning and preparation. To give yourself the best chance, we recommend focusing on one section at a time. The more organized you are, the better. Using the right technology can help too.  

Firms that use TaxDome save up to 40 hours per employee per month by automating workflows. They improve transparency, efficiency, and collaboration across their teams. By working smarter, you’ll have more time to focus on taking your career and business to the next level. 

FAQs

How long does it take to get CPA exam results?

For Core sections, you can expect to receive your CPA exam score roughly one to two weeks after the testing window closes. Core section testing windows run continuously throughout the year.

For Discipline sections, you may have to wait a bit longer. Release dates are typically two to six weeks after a testing window closes. Rather than running continuously, testing windows for Discipline sections are during the first month of each quarter, with an extra window in the second quarter during June. 

Can I check my CPA exam score before the official release date?

No, CPA exam scores are only released on the official dates provided by the AICPA. This is because scores need to be processed and verified to ensure accuracy before being made available to candidates. Typically, scores are released around midnight Eastern Time on the given release date.

What is a CPA exam testing window?

A CPA exam testing window is a period during which candidates can schedule and take their exams. The exam window you choose will determine your exam score release date. 

For Core sections, testing windows run back-to-back throughout the year. For Discipline sections, testing windows open during the first month of each quarter — i.e. during January, April, July, and October. For 2025 only, there will be an additional testing window for Discipline sections during June to accommodate credit extensions. 

How do I view my CPA exam score?

Candidates in California will receive their scores through the website of their state board of accountancy. For candidates in all other states, you can access NASBA’s online Candidate Portal. Make sure you have your candidate ID and login credentials ready to access your results.

Can I reschedule my CPA exam?

Yes! You can reschedule your CPA exam through Prometric, the business that facilitates exam scheduling and delivery. Whether you’ll pay a fee or not depends on when you reschedule. If you reschedule: 

• At least 61 days before your exam date, there’s no fee
• Between five and 60 days before, you’ll pay a fee to Prometric
• Between two and five days before, you’ll be required to pay the full costs of the exam

Please note: you can’t reschedule or cancel your exam less than 24 hours before it takes place. 

Can I retake a Core or Discipline exam if I fail?

Of course. You can retake any sections you fail during a future testing window. You can do this as many times as you need to pass the exam. That said, you need to pass all sections of the exam within an 18 month timeframe to receive your CPA license.

Are there ever any delays in CPA exam score reporting?

Delays are very rare, but they can happen due to technical issues. In the vast majority of cases, test results are made available within 48 hours of the target release date. If you don’t receive yours as expected, check AICPA’s official communication channels to see if there are any updates or issues.

Can I take multiple CPA exam sections in the same testing window?

Yes, you can take multiple sections within the same testing window. If you wanted to, you could take all CPA exam sections in a single window. That said, we recommend spacing them out to allow you to focus on one at a time. 

If you fail an exam section, you can’t retake it during the same window. Instead, you’ll need to wait for a future window with CPA exam availability.