Time can sometimes move a little too quickly and key deadlines approach in the blink of an eye. Schedule accordingly and you won’t miss any opportunities.
The deadline for eligible candidates to finish portions of their CPA Exam is on the horizon and you don’t want those credits to lapse. Here’s what you need to know and how you could be affected.
CPA Exam credit extension eligibility
The CPA Exam underwent significant changes in 2024 and, in anticipation of the exam’s launch, AICPA and the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) recommended extending how long candidates have to complete their CPA Exams. The one-time credit extension offered in 2024 gave candidates with outstanding credits an additional 18 months to complete their exams.
Now that deadline is swiftly approaching.
If you passed at least one section of the CPA Exam before Jan. 1, 2024, you’re eligible for the credit extension and have until June 30, 2025, to pass any remaining sections of the CPA Exam.
If you miss the deadline, the credits expire, and you’ll need to retake the sections where you previously had credit.
Check with your state board of accountancy to confirm the rules within your jurisdiction.
What to expect from the new CPA licensure model: Core and Discipline
Launched in 2024, the CPA Evolution-aligned CPA Exam introduced the Core and Discipline model. These changes allow you to take control over your entire testing journey and prepare you with in-demand skills for today’s CPA professionals.
Prior to 2024, CPA Exam candidates needed to complete four sections — Auditing and Attestation (AUD), Business Environment and Concepts (BEC), Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR), and Taxation and Regulation (REG). The updated CPA Exam has AUD, FAR and REG as Core sections and the choice of one Discipline elective from the following: Business Analysis and Reporting (BAR), Information Systems and Controls (ISC) or Tax Compliance and Planning (TCP).
Another significant change to CPA Exam testing is allowing candidates 30 months (or more, depending on the jurisdiction) to complete all required sections. Previously, candidates had an 18-month window.
As you plan your study schedule, don’t forget to check testing dates. Testing and score release dates in the second quarter have been adjusted to accommodate credit extensions.
Don’t let the June 30 deadline pass you by. Stay proactive, mark your calendars and study for the CPA Exam sections you need to complete.
Set yourself up for success and plan your CPA Exam testing journey accordingly with AICPA’s 2025 testing schedule.