2024 - 2025 CPA Exam Changes
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Each year, the AICPA approves various changes and updates to the CPA Exam based on changes to the profession and new laws and pronouncements. These changes can involve altering existing sections, adding new topics, and occasionally removing older ones. Read the timeline below to learn about the recent CPA Exam changes and updates to the CPA Exam Blueprints. If you’re studying for the CPA Exam, you must keep track of the latest announcements on the changes. With the implementation of the new CPA Exam in 2024, we expect minimal changes for the 2025 CPA Exam.
2024-2025 CPA Exam Changes
Effective January 10, 2024, AICPA and NASBA have restructured the CPA Exam into a new CPA core-plus-discipline licensure model with three core sections and three discipline sections. Candidates must pass all three core sections and one discipline section of their choice to pass the CPA Exam. The exam remains in the four-section, 16-hour format.
In this section, we've reduced the multitude of exam changes to the most essential takeaways by the exam section, incorporating new content, content removal, and topics deemphasized with a reduction in the skill level required to be demonstrated. While BEC is no longer available, its content is distributed among several core and discipline sections.
It is important to note that the change is due to how technology has changed the accounting profession, how accountants perform their jobs, and the skills required to function.
The new licensure model results in one CPA license, irrespective of the discipline chosen. Let's examine the core-plus-discipline model.
So, what does the CPA Exam model look like now? The new CPA licensure model requires CPA candidates to be skilled in accounting, auditing, and tax. These topics will be tested in three core sections that are required for all candidates. They include:
- Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR)
- Auditing and Attestation (AUD)
- Taxation and Regulation (REG)
In addition, candidates will need to have a deeper knowledge in one of the following three discipline sections:
- Business Analysis and Reporting (BAR) – a continuation of the FAR core
- Information Systems and Controls (ISC) – a continuation of the AUD core
- Tax Compliance and Planning (TCP) – a continuation of the REG core
Questions about technology will be infused throughout the entire CPA Exam.
Candidates are required to pass all three core sections and one discipline on the CPA Exam. It is important to note that the discipline passed will not change the type of license granted. The new licensure model results in one CPA license no matter which discipline is chosen.
2024-2025 CPA Exam Section Overview
The CPA Exam assumes that CPA candidates will sit for the CPA Exam after completing a foundational academic program focused on a strong business and accounting-based curriculum. This will provide candidates with the skills they need to practice in today’s business world and meet the needs of the public.
Technology continues to be increasingly vital to the accounting profession. Therefore, technology is tested on the 2024 CPA Exam, not as a single discipline but throughout all exam sections.
Let's look at the three new disciplines and understand what content they entail.
- The Business Analysis and Reporting (BAR) CPA Exam – a continuation of FAR tests financial statement and financial information analysis skills by comparing historical data to budgets and forecasts.
- It also tests candidates’ knowledge of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB), Accounting Standards Codification, and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) applicable to for-profit businesses and employee benefit plans.
- The discipline includes advanced technical accounting and reporting topics, such as assessing revenue recognition and leases, business combinations, derivatives, and hedge accounting.
- The Information System and Controls (ISC) CPA Exam integrates technology in accounting. It tests skills in information systems, processing integrity, availability, security, confidentiality, and privacy.
- Successful candidates must demonstrate skills in data management, including data collection, storage, and usage throughout the data life cycle.
- It is a continuation of the AUD CPA Exam and is for candidates interested in assurance or advisory services related to business processes, and IT audits.
- The Tax Compliance and Planning (TCP) CPA Exam is a comprehensive discipline that covers U.S. federal tax compliance for individuals and entities, with a focus on higher-complexity transactions, U.S. federal tax planning for individuals and entities, and personal financial planning.
- The discipline is a continuation of the FAR CPA Exam and tests a candidate’s knowledge of tax return preparation and review and of determining the tax implications of transactions, available alternatives, or business structures.
How does the CPA Evolution Affect Accounting Curriculum?
Most master’s programs will prepare students for one of the three discipline areas. For schools without a master’s program, elective courses may be added to prepare students for the discipline areas. The CPA Evolution committee meets regularly to determine what recommendations they will have for the evolving accounting curriculum.
2024-2025 CPA Exam Dates and Score Release Dates
The AICPA and NASBA announced the following schedule for the 2024 exam*. Note that continuous testing is paused to account for standard-setting analyses and activities.
| Quarter | Core Test Dates | Core Score Reports | Discipline Test Dates | Discipline Score Reports |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 | Jan 10 – Mar 26 | June 4 | Jan 10 – Feb 6 | Apr 24 |
| Q2 | Apr 1 – June 25 | Jul 31 | Apr 20 – May 19 | Jun 28 |
| Q3 | Jul 1 – Sep 25 | October 31 | July 1 – 31 | Sep 10 |
| Q4 | Oct 1 – Dec 26 | January 29 | Oct 1 – 31 | Dec 10 |
*Dates are subject to change
Core sections are available with continuous testing in 2025:
| If the AICPA receives your exam data file by*: | Your target score release date is: |
|---|---|
| January 23 | February 7 |
| February 14 | February 25 |
| March 9 | March 18 |
| March 31 | April 9 |
| April 23 | May 8 |
| May 16 | May 28 |
| June 8 | June 17 |
| June 30 | July 10 |
| July 23 | August 7 |
| August 15 | August 26 |
| September 7 | September 16 |
| September 30 | October 9 |
| October 23 | November 7 |
| November 15 | November 25 |
| December 8 | December 16 |
| December 31 | January 13 |
*Exam data files received after this date will be included in the next scheduled score release.
Discipline sections will be administered in the first month of each quarter in 2025*:
| Testing Dates | Your target score release date is: |
|---|---|
| January 1 – 31 | March 14 |
| April 1 – 30 | May 16 |
| June 1 – 30 | July 17 |
| July 1 – 31 | September 11 |
| October 1 – 31 | December 16 |
* For the second quarter of 2025 only, AICPA adjusted the testing dates and score release dates to accommodate the credit extensions through June 30, 2025.
CPA Evolution: Transition Policy
The AICPA and NASBA have simplified the candidate’s migration from the old exam to the new. Candidates with credits in AUD, FAR, or REG need not retake the corresponding new core sections. Likewise, candidates with credits in BEC are exempt from sitting for the discipline section.
CPA Exam Credit Extension
To accommodate the CPA Exam transition, NASBA announced a credit extension that most states have adopted. The following are proposals that some jurisdictions may or may not have already implemented. It’s best to check with your board regularly for updates. There are two proposed changes:
- Candidates who have passed at least one section of the CPA Exam before January 1, 2024, will have those credits extended to June 30, 2025 (see if your jurisdiction has adopted this here)
- Candidates in most states now have 30 or 36 months to pass the exam. The clock begins ticking on the date you pass your first exam section. In the past, it was 18 months but most states have extended this period to give you some breathing room in light of recent exam changes. Please be sure to check with your State Board of Accountancy to confirm what the current rule is in your state.
2024-2025 Recommended CPA Exam Order
No matter which pathway you choose, it’s important to develop a strategy as you plan your exam schedule. We suggest you take the section you find most difficult first. We also highly recommend taking your chosen discipline after its related core section, as the material does build upon it.
This is a general recommendation from our experts. Ultimately, each candidate should choose a CPA Exam path that best meets their interests and proficiency.
FAQ
If I purchase a CPA Exam review course now, will the materials still be relevant for next year?
Yes, when you purchase a UWorld CPA review course, you have access to a fully updated course aligned to the current CPA Exam and automatic updates for the duration of your online course subscription.