CPA Exam Cost
There are different costs and fees associated with taking the CPA Exam that also vary by state. Stay a step ahead of all the costs by being informed before you start your CPA journey.
Example of Fees Required for the CPA Exam
CPA Exam Application Fee: $100.00
All first-time applicants are required to pay both an application fee and examination fee (which is listed below) when they submit their application to take the CPA Exam for the first time. Application fees can be anywhere from $30-$200, depending on the state.
CPA Exam Reapplication Fee: $50.00
For all re-examination candidates, instead of paying the application fee, they are required to pay both the reapplication and examination fee when they register to re-take any parts of the CPA Exam. This is sometimes also called the “registration fee.”
Some states will offer reapplication candidates with the choice of retaking 2 or more exams at a discounted price. For example, in California, the reapplication fee is a flat $50 in addition to the exam part(s) the candidate wants to retest. But in some states, like Missouri, candidates can pay the following reapplication fee in addition to the state’s examination fees:
| 4 CPA Exam sections | $124.00 |
| 3 CPA Exam sections | $108.00 |
| 2 CPA Exam sections | $92.00 |
| 1 CPA Exam sections | $71.00 |
CPA Examination Fees: $734.10
Most states use the CPA Exam fee schedule set by the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA). Again, using California as an example, the total for all 4 parts of the exam is $734.10. A breakdown of how much each part of the exam costs is below:
| AUD (Auditing & Attestation) | $193.45 |
| BEC (Business Environment & Concepts) | $193.45 |
| FAR (Financial Accounting & Reporting) | $173.60 |
| REG (Regulation) | $173.60 |
CPA Exam Review Course Expenses: $1,500 on average
And of course, finally, there is the expense of a CPA Exam review course. Review courses vary by price, but candidates can expect to pay anywhere from $1,000 - $3,000 depending on which review course is used.
Be sure to think positively. Remember the CPA Exam is largely a mental game of strength. So, the more positive you remain, the more success you will have. Remember, “A dream doesn’t become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination and hard work.” Passing the CPA Exam is a challenge you can and will conquer if you believe in your yourself, put in the hours to study, and set yourself up for success!