Understand the licensing authority before the deadline.

National CPA testing procedures and a state's professional license requirements are not interchangeable. We focus on exam timing, jurisdiction-specific eligibility and documented changes candidates need to act on.

Open issuing authority Explore 2026–2027 dates

Start with the correct state board, then study the exam calendar.

AICPA publishes target score releases; individual state boards determine licensing and some eligibility rules.

01 · EXAM GUIDES

Research-backed U.S. exam guides

1 researched guide

Illustrative accountant exam preparation with calculator, ledger and laptop on a desk

AICPA · NASBA · state boards of accountancy

CPA Exam

U.S. CPA Exam: national AICPA dates plus state-by-state eligibility. California's AB 1175 changes exam requirements on 1 January 2027; a July testing-platform transition affects scheduling and score releases.

Open research and source links

02 · SOURCE-LINKED DATES

U.S. CPA milestone calendar

All milestones

Nov 10, 2026

CPA Core · target score release

Requires AICPA to receive the exam data file by 23 October 2026.

Official target

Nov 24, 2026

CPA Core · target score release

Requires AICPA to receive the exam data file by 15 November 2026.

Official target

Dec 15, 2026

CPA Discipline · target score release

For October 2026 Discipline testing (BAR / ISC / TCP).

Official target

Dec 16, 2026

CPA Core · target score release

Requires AICPA to receive the exam data file by 8 December 2026.

Official target

Jan 1, 2027

California ONLY · 3 ethics semester units added for new CPA Exam applications

California AB 1175 implementation: exam applications received from this date require bachelor's + 24 accounting + 24 business + 3 ethics units. Other state boards have different rules. This is NOT a nationwide exam registration cutoff.

Confirmed

Jan 12, 2027

CPA Core · target score release

For exam files received by AICPA by 31 December 2026.

Official target

Feb 9, 2027

CPA Core · target score release

For exam files received by AICPA by 23 January 2027.

Official target

Feb 23, 2027

CPA Core · target score release

For exam files received by AICPA by 14 February 2027.

Official target

03 · WHAT THE RULES MEAN

Know which authority makes the rule

The Uniform CPA Examination uses a common Core + Discipline testing model. AICPA's dates depend on exam file receipt; they are targets, not guaranteed issue dates.

State boards are the proper authority for education credits, experience, CPA licensure, approval timing and candidate exceptions. Our detailed California case study does not govern every other jurisdiction.

We add a new U.S. profession only after its primary regulator, testing provider, legal pathway and candidate documentation are checked.