Your CPA Exam journey is one of the biggest and most rewarding challenges you'll face to date. It starts with detailed planning, requires consistent diligence, and ends in the biggest career advantage you can gain as a public accountant. Start here with CPA Exam dates, then continue your planning with CPA Exam costs and the fees of licensure, and finally understand what you'll face by taking a look at the most recent CPA Exam topic and concept blueprints. These important steps will set you up for success as you start your path to CPA.
Planning Your Path to CPA
CPA Exam Dates
CPA Exam Costs
CPA Exam Blueprints
Get your free guide to the CPA Exam
2026 CPA Exam Schedule
The CPA Exam schedule includes continuous testing for Core sections, meaning that you can test year-round. The CPA Exam dates for Discipline sections, however, are fixed on a specific schedule set by the AICPA.
2026 CPA Exam Dates - Core Sections
CPA Exam Core sections (FAR, AUD, REG) are offered in continuous testing, according to this schedule for 2026:
If the AICPA receives your exam data file by: | Your target score release date is: |
| January 23 | February 10 |
| February 14 | February 24 |
| March 9 | March 17 |
| March 31 | April 9 |
| April 23 | May 7 |
| May 16 | May 27 |
| June 8 | June 16 |
| June 30 | July 10 |
| July 23 | August 7 |
| August 15 | August 25 |
| September 7 | September 15 |
| September 30 | October 9 |
| October 23 | November 10 |
| November 15 | November 24 |
| December 8 | December 16 |
| December 31 | January 12 |
2026 CPA Exam Dates - Disciplines
Testing and score release for the CPA Exam Discipline sections (BAR, ISC, and TCP) are only available during specific windows. The AICPA has released the schedule for 2026:
Discipline testing dates: | Target score release date: |
| January 1 - 31 | March 13 |
| April 1 - 30 | June 16 |
| July 1 - 31 | September 11 |
| October 1 - 31 | December 15 |
Because of the specific testing windows for Disciplines, it's important to be strategic when choosing the best order to take the CPA Exam. Understanding and planning your exam dates will help you create a more effective study schedule as well as plan for personal plans and your licensing timeline.
Preparing for the CPA Exam in 2026
NASBA and the AICPA continuously adjust and update the CPA Exam, and it's important to stay informed and adapt your preparation strategies accordingly. Becker works closely with these organization to keep our CPA Exam Review accurate and updated, while offering the support, resources, and guidance you need to navigate the journey toward success.
Download Our FREE CPA Exam eBook
Want to learn more about what to expect with the CPA Exam? Our CPA Exam guide provides you with a clear, in-depth look of what you need to know. What's inside?
- An overview of the CPA Exam
- Comprehensive details of each section, including the exam format, section times, scoring details, and key content areas
- Choosing your Discipline
- Do's and don'ts to get ready for the CPA Exam
- Exam study tips
- Multiple-choice practice questions
Get your free guide to the CPA Exam
Frequently Asked Questions
When are the 2026 CPA Exam dates for Core sections?
Core sections—Auditing and Attestation (AUD), Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR), and Taxation and Regulation (REG)—are offered through continuous testing all year, so you're not locked into a fixed window. The AICPA has released target score release dates tied to specific exam data file deadlines throughout 2026; for example, an exam completed by January 23 targets a February 10 score release, and an exam completed by June 8 targets a June 16 score release. Check the full 2026 Core testing and score release schedule above so you can time your study plan around your target release date.
When are the 2026 CPA Exam Discipline testing windows?
Discipline sections—Business Analysis and Reporting (BAR), Information Systems and Controls (ISC), and Tax Compliance and Planning (TCP)—are only offered during four testing windows in 2026: January 1–31, April 1–30, July 1–31, and October 1–31, with target score releases roughly six weeks after each window closes. Because Discipline testing is limited to these windows, it's worth mapping out your Discipline exam date early rather than leaving it for later in your prep timeline.
How long does it take to get CPA Exam scores back?
For Core sections, target score release typically lands within 2–3 weeks of your exam data file being received by the AICPA, depending on where your test date falls in the continuous testing cycle. For Disciplines, because scoring is tied to a testing window rather than a rolling cycle, you're generally looking at closer to six weeks from the end of your testing window. Learn more in All You Need to Know About CPA Exam Scores.
Which CPA Discipline should I choose?
There's no single "right" Discipline. The best choice depends on the career path you're aiming to build. BAR tends to suit candidates headed toward financial reporting, valuation, or advisory roles; ISC fits candidates interested in IT audit, risk, and controls; and TCP is geared toward candidates focused on tax planning and compliance. Our How to Choose Your Discipline resource walks through each option in detail, or you can take Becker's quick 4-question Discipline quiz to help narrow it down.
Can I take Core and Discipline sections in any order?
Yes. The CPA Exam doesn't require you to take Core sections before your Discipline exam, but the order you choose can make a real difference in how efficiently you study, especially since Discipline testing is limited to specific windows while Core testing is continuous. Find out the best order for taking the CPA Exam based on your interests, schedule, and licensing timeline.
How do I start planning my CPA Exam schedule?
Start by mapping your target Discipline testing window against the continuous Core testing schedule, then work backward to set study milestones for each section. Because Core score release happens on a rolling basis and Discipline windows only open four times a year, planning ahead is the difference between a smooth exam year and a scramble. Becker's free CPA Exam guide and course schedules can help you build a realistic plan around testing dates.
Featured articles
