The CPA Exam
Frequently Asked Questions
What is required to take the exam?
How much does it cost?
How do I prepare?
How do I take the exam?
Where can I find additional resources?
What is required to take the exam?
Education Requirements
When applying to sit for the CPA exam, a candidate must have either completed or be within 200 days of completing:
- a baccalaureate degree or higher from an institution accredited by a regional or national accrediting body recognized by the Board AND
- a minimum of 150 semester (or 225 quarter) hours at baccalaureate or higher degree granting institutions accredited by a regional or national accrediting body recognized by the Board.
This total must include:
- a minimum of 24 semester (or 36 quarter) hours in accounting.
- a minimum of 24 semester (or 36 quarter) hours in general business subjects such as business law, algebra, calculus, statistics, economics, finance, management, marketing, computer and information systems, ethics and business communications.
Courses taken at either a two-year or a non-accredited, four-year institution are acceptable, provided they are transferable to the four-year, degree-granting institution from which you received your degree. The credits should be added to that transcript or by correspondence from that institution stating those credits will transfer.
Experience Requirements
The experience requirements are as follows:
- Providing any type of services or advice using accounting, attest, management advisory, financial advisory, tax or consulting skills.
- Includes employment in industry, government, academia or public practice.
- One year of full-time employment or no fewer than 2,000 part-time hours extended over a period not less than one year and no more than three years.
- Experience must be earned within the 10 years immediately preceding the latest application for certification.
- If you wish to sign reports on financial statements on behalf of a firm, you will also need to meet the additional experience requirements set out in the professional standards approved by the Board.
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How much does it cost?
You should expect to pay anywhere from $655 to $925 to take the CPA exam, assuming you pass all four parts within the 18-month time frame and you don’t have to retake any sections. The costs are broken down more explicitly below. While the exam certainly is expensive, keep in mind that many employers either cover the cost of taking the exam completely or partially or offer a bonus upon passing.
The fees below include the application fee and examination fee. You may apply for more than one section of the exam at a time, but you should not apply for a section unless you can take it within six months of your application. You have a total of 18 months in which to take all four parts (this 18-month window begins when you pass your first section).
First-Time Applicant Fees |
Re-Examination Fee |
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How do I prepare?
Test Content and Areas of Study
The CPA exam consists of four sections:
- Auditing and Attestation (AUD) – This section covers knowledge of auditing procedures, generally accepted auditing standards and other standards related to attest engagements and the skills needed to apply that knowledge.
- Business Environment and Concepts (BEC) – This section covers knowledge of general business environment and business concepts that candidates need to know in order to understand the underlying business reasons for and accounting implications of business transactions and the skills needed to apply that knowledge.
- Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR) – This section covers knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles for business enterprises, not-for-profit organizations and governmental entities and the skills needed to apply that knowledge.
- Regulation (REG) – This section covers knowledge of federal taxation, ethics, professional and legal responsibilities and business law and the skills needed to apply that knowledge.
The exam is composed of testlets (groups of 24 or 30 multiple-choice questions) and simulations (condensed case studies). Three testlets and two simulations are included in each of these sections: Auditing and Attestation, Financial Accounting and Reporting and Regulation. Business Environment and Concepts consists of three multiple-choice testlets only.
The format of the CPA exam is unique, so it is a good idea to familiarize yourself with the layout prior to your exam date. Tutorials and sample tests can be accessed here.
Studying
Many companies offer review courses and materials for CPA exam candidates. The Tennessee Society of CPAs has partnered with two of these companies to offer discounts to our members.
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TSCPA student members receive a $250 discount on Becker CPA Review courses. In addition to flexible online and CD-ROM course formats, Becker offers the only live review course in Tennessee for the CPA exam. Click here for live course schedules in Tennessee.
According to AICPA pass rates, Becker students who complete the course pass the CPA exam at double the rate of non-Becker students. The Big Four accounting firms have all chosen Becker to be their preferred review course provider, and they are the exclusive choice of more than 70 major colleges and universities.
Expert instruction, textbooks and simulation and final exam software all work together to provide you with exceptional understanding and confidence on exam day. To register for Becker and receive your discount, call 1-877/CPA-EXAM, and tell them you are a member of TSCPA. Click here for more information about Becker CPA exam review courses, or visit www.beckercpa.com, call 1-800/232-0311 or contact Whitney Lawson at wlawson@beckerreview.com.
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TSCPA has partnered with ExamMatrix to provide their ExamMatrix-MicroMash CPA Review software and reference books to student members for $795, a $200 discount on their software review course, as well as the ExamMatrix "Pass or Refund" guarantee.
ExamMatrix uses assessment-oriented CPA review software that will continually measure your strengths and weaknesses, customizing a study regiment unique to your needs and then managing your studying for you. ExamMatrix also offers a Pass or Refund guarantee - if you don't pass the CPA exam the first time after using their review course, they'll refund your money or give you a free update of their software.
To order ExamMatrix's MicroMash CPA Review software and reference books using your student member discount, visit www.exammatrix.com/tn-cpa. For more information about Exam Matrix's CPA Review software, contact Joseph Yoder at joseph.yoder@exammatrix.com or 1-800/272-7277, ext. 309.
For more information about student member benefits or to become a student member, click here.
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How do I take the exam?
How to Apply
Click here for an application. Along with your notarized application, you must submit a 2” x 2” photograph, your fee payment, your official transcript and a Certificate of Enrollment (if applicable).
Application materials and fees should be submitted to:
CPA Examination Services
P.O. Box 440555
Nashville, TN 37244
Note: You should allow eight weeks from the date your application is postmarked for processing.
Scheduling a Test Appointment
After you apply for the exam and are deemed eligible, you will receive a Notice to Schedule (NTS) for each exam section you applied for. Once you receive your NTS, schedule your test appointment. Each NTS is only valid for a specific period of time, so take your exams as soon as you are prepared.
The CPA exam is given at Prometric test sites. You can schedule your test appointment 24 hours a day, seven days a week through the Prometric Web site.
Below is a list of Prometric testing centers in Tennessee.
Chattanooga Clarksville Cordova |
Franklin Knoxville Madison |
Testing Dates
There are four testing windows throughout the year:
January – February
April – May
July – August
October – November
The CPA exam cannot be taken during these months: March, June, September and December.
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Additional Resources
For more information about the CPA exam, please refer to the following resources.
Official CPA Exam Web site: www.cpa-exam.org
NASBA Web site: www.nasba.org
Tennessee State Board of Accountancy: www.state.tn.us/commerce/boards/tnsba/index.html
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