California CPA Exam Fees and Costs
See current California CPA Exam fees, including the $100 first-time application, $50 reapplication, $268.59 section fee, payment order, and source dates.
California fee answer
California's current official fee schedule lists a $100.00 first-time CBA application fee, $50.00 for a repeat CBA application, and $268.59 paid to NASBA for each selected section. CBA states $1,074.36 for all four section fees. A first-time four-section planning baseline is therefore $1,174.36 before conditional costs. Keep CBA application counts separate from NASBA section attempts, and recheck official fees immediately before paying.
Official sources reviewed .
Check current fees at the California Board of AccountancyVisual sources: California Board of Accountancy Exam FAQs
California CPA Exam fees at a glance
Transparent California fee arithmetic
Interactive itemized planner with separate controls for CBA application type, CBA reapplication count, NASBA section attempts, and optional appointment changes. Counts stay separate so one CBA application is never multiplied by the number of section attempts.
Planning total, not an official quote
Itemized California fee plan
Verified August 18, 2026. Recheck the official sources immediately before paying.
| Fee item | Quantity | Unit amount | Planning subtotal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Current first-time CBA application | Quantity1 | Unit amount$100.00 | Planning subtotal$100.00 |
| Additional future CBA reapplications | Quantity0 | Unit amount$50.00 | Planning subtotal$0.00 |
| NASBA section attempts | Quantity4 | Unit amount$268.59 | Planning subtotal$1,074.36 |
| No rescheduling event | QuantityNot applicable | Unit amountNot selected | Planning subtotalNot selected |
Planning total
$1,174.36
Excludes credential evaluation, wire fees, international testing, preparation, travel, licensing, and any other conditional amount not selected above.
Visual sources: California Board of Accountancy Exam FAQs, NASBA CPA Exam Candidate Guide, NASBA CPA Exam FAQ, AICPA CPA Exam FAQ
Who receives each payment
Pay the application step and the section step separately. CBA receives $100.00 from a first-time California applicant or $50.00 from a previously approved applicant who reapplies. NASBA receives $268.59 for each selected section. This is not one combined checkout, and one CBA application should not be multiplied by the number of sections.
CBA lists credit card, check, and money order for the exam application. Paying online by credit card electronically submits the application, but supporting documents can have separate instructions. The 2.3 percent online renewal transaction fee does not apply to an exam application. For study, travel, licensing, and other categories, use the complete CPA budget tool instead.
From California application to your NTS
- Use the payment sequence below to keep two organizations and two clocks separate. CBA handles the application and section selection. Individual NASBA payment coupons can take up to five business days and may arrive in any order.
- Pay the required NASBA fees within 90 calendar days after ATT issuance. NASBA says the NTS should arrive within four business days after payment, and a valid NTS is required before Prometric scheduling.
- 1Apply through CaliforniaChoose the correct first-time or repeat CBA application and pay the matching CBA fee.
- 2Receive authority and select sectionsKeep the CBA application step distinct from the later NASBA payment for each selected section.
- 3Open each NASBA couponAllow up to five business days for separately issued payment coupons after section selection.
- 4Pay, receive the NTS, and schedulePay within the California ATT boundary, obtain the NTS, and then schedule with Prometric.
Official sources reviewed .
Visual sources: California Board of Accountancy Exam FAQs, California Board of Accountancy regulations, NASBA California CPA Exam payment information
First attempt and retake planning
Use the CPA Exam section guide to choose three Core sections and one Discipline, but keep section attempts separate from CBA applications in the planner. A first-time four-section plan is one $100.00 CBA application plus the $1,074.36 CBA-stated NASBA subtotal, not four CBA applications.
After a failed score is received, a previously approved California candidate can create a new application, pay $50.00, and select the next section. One repeat application plus one selected section is a conditional $318.59 planning example. Conditional planning example verified August 18, 2026, not an official retake quote. CBA says NASBA payments already made cannot be transferred to another section or refunded. Review how to apply for the CPA Exam for the broader workflow.
Conditional costs and verified exclusions
Prometric rescheduling is currently $0.00 at 61 or more calendar days, $30.00 at 31 to 60 days, and $60.00 at 5 to 30 days. The current Candidate Guide conflicts internally for fewer than five days, so the planner shows no amount and stops the combined total until you verify the current official fee.
Changes are unavailable with less than 24 hours remaining, and paid fees can be forfeited. A wire transfer may also carry an additional charge, but CBA does not publish an amount. Neither item should default to zero. Returned-check, evaluation, licensure, course, travel, and international-testing amounts remain outside this page's totals.
| Timing before appointment | Current treatment | Use in planner | Evidence status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61 or more calendar days | $0.00 rescheduling fee | Selectable optional planner state | Verified official amount |
| 31 to 60 calendar days | $30.00 rescheduling fee | Selectable optional planner state | Verified official amount |
| 5 to 30 calendar days | $60.00 rescheduling fee | Selectable optional planner state | Verified official amount |
| Fewer than 5 days, but at least 24 hours | Verify the current official fee | Blocked state with no combined total | Official source conflicts internally |
| Less than 24 hours | Appointment changes unavailable; paid fees at risk | Blocked state with no combined total | Verified policy boundary |
Official sources reviewed .
Visual sources: NASBA CPA Exam Candidate Guide, NASBA CPA Exam FAQ
Verify current fees before you pay
These amounts apply to California's candidate pathway. They do not establish fees for another jurisdiction and they are not a complete CPA budget. Open the current CBA Exam FAQs and NASBA Candidate Guide immediately before paying, especially if the verification date on this page is no longer recent.
Use the official source links beside each visual to check the amount, payee, and timing. If an official page changes or becomes unavailable, do not rely on the planner result. The official fee answer and every planner result remain available without signup.
California fee boundary
Keep each payment in the right bucket
Separate the payee, trigger, and planner treatment before combining any verified amount.
| Fee or event | Paid to | Planner treatment | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| First-time application | CBA | Include one $100.00 current application | California Board of Accountancy Exam FAQs |
| Repeat application | CBA | Include $50.00 only for an explicit reapplication | California Board of Accountancy Exam FAQs |
| Selected section attempt | NASBA | Multiply $268.59 by the chosen attempt count | California Board of Accountancy Exam FAQs |
| Appointment change | Prometric | Add only a verified timing band or block the total | NASBA CPA Exam Candidate Guide NASBA CPA Exam FAQ |
| Conditional wire charge | Applicant or provider | Exclude until a current amount is known | California Board of Accountancy payment options |
Your next three actions
Check the plan before you pay
- 1
Choose the correct current CBA application type without multiplying it by the section count.
- 2
Enter only the NASBA section attempts and verified appointment-change event you are actually planning.
- 3
Open the current official sources again before treating the planning total as payment-ready.
Continue with the right guide
Use these guides when your next question goes beyond the focus of this page.
Questions candidates ask
How much does the CPA Exam cost in California?
A first-time California candidate pays a $100.00 CBA application fee plus $268.59 for each selected section. CBA states $1,074.36 for all four NASBA section fees. Adding the two gives a $1,174.36 planning baseline before conditional costs. It is not an official all-in quote.
What is the California CPA Exam reapplication fee?
A previously approved California candidate pays CBA $50.00 to reapply. NASBA section payments are separate. One repeat application plus one selected section is a conditional $318.59 planning example, not a universal retake quote.
When do California candidates pay NASBA?
After section selection, allow up to five business days for individual NASBA payment coupons. Pay within 90 calendar days after ATT issuance. NASBA says the NTS should arrive within four business days after payment, and you need it before scheduling with Prometric.
Are California CPA Exam fees refundable?
CBA says a payment already made to NASBA cannot be transferred to another section or refunded. The current Candidate Guide describes limited broader exceptions for ineligibility or extreme circumstances, so verify the policy that applies before paying.
How much does it cost to reschedule a CPA Exam appointment?
Current verified rescheduling fees are $0.00 at 61 or more days, $30.00 at 31 to 60 days, and $60.00 at 5 to 30 days. For fewer than five days, the current official guide conflicts internally. Verify the fee directly. Changes are unavailable with less than 24 hours remaining.