CPA Exam Testing Windows & Score Release Dates 2026
Find 2026 CPA Exam testing windows, Core score-release cutoffs, and Discipline score dates in one place, plus NTS and Prometric booking guidance.
The testing-window answer
In 2026, AUD, FAR, and REG use continuous testing, while BAR, ISC, and TCP are available January 1-31, April 1-30, July 1-31, and October 1-31. A published testing period does not reserve a seat. You still need a valid Notice to Schedule and an available Prometric appointment.
Schedule checked . All releases below are target dates and may change.
Discipline testing windows and score releases
BAR, ISC, and TCP share these four testing windows. They are unavailable in February, March, May, June, August, September, November, and December 2026.
| Testing window | Target score release |
|---|---|
| January 1-31, 2026 | |
| April 1-30, 2026 | |
| July 1-31, 2026 | |
| October 1-31, 2026 |
Core score release schedule
AUD, FAR, and REG are available throughout 2026. Match the date AICPA receives your exam file to the target release below.
| AICPA receives your file by | Target score release |
|---|---|
The December 31 cutoff targets January 12, 2027. Your board may need extra time to post a score; these dates do not promise a particular release time.
Sources: AICPA CPA Exam score release schedule · NASBA CPA Exam FAQ · Prometric CPA Exam scheduling · Virginia Board of Accountancy: first-half 2026 score dates (page 8) The Virginia Board newsletter preserves the January-June dates; AICPA lists the July-December schedule.
Testing availability at a glance
Core sections are available in every month of 2026. Discipline sections are available only in January, April, July, and October. The calendar below summarizes when you can sit; the tables above show when to expect a score.
- 1Quarter 1AUD, FAR, and REG remain continuously available. BAR, ISC, and TCP are available January 1-31.
- 2Quarter 2Core testing continues. The second Discipline window is April 1-30.
- 3Quarter 3Core testing continues. The third Discipline window is July 1-31.
- 4Quarter 4Core testing continues. The final 2026 Discipline window is October 1-31.
Visual sources: AICPA CPA Exam score release schedule
Four dates to keep separate
Testing window: when your section is available to take.
Score release target: when AICPA expects to release your result, subject to file receipt and your board's posting process.
NTS expiration: the last date you can use that Notice to Schedule. Check the date printed on your authorization.
Exam credit expiration: how long a passed section remains valid. Your jurisdiction controls this separate deadline.
Continuous testing and local seat availability
NASBA defines continuous testing as year-round availability for the computer-based CPA Exam. That removes the old national quarter-end blackout model for Core sections, but it does not promise that every test center opens every day. Each center controls its operating schedule and seat inventory, and holidays or local closures can reduce the practical choices.
The valid NTS is equally important. NASBA says its duration varies by jurisdiction, and it is valid for one testing event or until expiration. A candidate who sees an open Prometric seat but holds an expired authorization does not yet have a bookable exam. Resolve the authorization before building a study countdown around that seat.
Booking checklist
- First classify the section as Core or Discipline. For AUD, FAR, or REG, choose a readiness date and then inspect live seats around it. For BAR, ISC, or TCP, begin with the applicable January, April, July, or October window, then work backward for application processing, study time, and appointment inventory.
- NASBA says candidates must schedule at least five days in advance and recommends scheduling 45 days ahead to improve the chance of obtaining a preferred site and time. Treat those as booking guidance, not a guarantee. The strongest plan keeps a primary appointment date and a nearby fallback date inside the same eligible period.
- 1Hold a valid NTSThe Notice to Schedule authorizes one section and has a jurisdiction-controlled expiration date.
- 2Choose an allowed dateUse any eligible Core date or a date inside one of the four Discipline windows.
- 3Find live inventoryPrometric seat availability changes by test center, date, and time.
- 4Confirm the appointmentKeep the confirmation and recheck the Prometric CPA page 24 hours before the session.
Visual sources: AICPA CPA Exam score release schedule, NASBA CPA Exam FAQ, Prometric CPA Exam scheduling
Example: September FAR versus October ISC
- 1Jordan books FAR for September 24 with a valid NTS. If AICPA receives the exam file by September 30, the target score date is October 9. If the file arrives after September 30 but by October 23, the target moves to November 10. Neither cutoff closes FAR testing.
- 2Maya is ready for ISC in September, but ISC is unavailable that month. She books inside October 1-31, checks that her NTS covers the appointment, and plans for the December 15 target score release. If she needs a retake, it must be in a later year's Discipline window.
Check your score and plan a retake
Check your jurisdiction's instructions for accessing scores through the NASBA CPA Portal or a board service. Some boards need additional processing time beyond the published target. Candidates who test on the same day may receive results at different times.
Wait for your result before registering to retake the same section. A retake needs a new NTS and an available appointment. If you take a Discipline section in October 2026, its December 15 target falls after the final 2026 testing window. Check the 2027 score release schedule before planning a later attempt.
The schedules and booking sources were reviewed on September 12, 2026. Recheck AICPA for schedule revisions and Prometric for current appointments before relying on a final available day.
Section-by-section availability
Which 2026 rule controls each CPA Exam section?
The section code determines whether a candidate starts with year-round readiness or a quarterly administration month.
| Section | 2026 availability | Planning consequence | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| AUD | Continuous testing throughout 2026 | Choose a readiness range, then check live Prometric seats. | AICPA CPA Exam score release schedule |
| FAR | Continuous testing throughout 2026 | A score file cutoff does not close FAR testing. | AICPA CPA Exam score release schedule |
| REG | Continuous testing throughout 2026 | Use seat inventory and NTS validity to select the actual date. | NASBA CPA Exam FAQ |
| BAR | January, April, July, and October windows | The appointment must fall inside the first month of a quarter. | AICPA CPA Exam score release schedule |
| ISC | January, April, July, and October windows | A September readiness date must move to the October window. | AICPA CPA Exam score release schedule |
| TCP | January, April, July, and October windows | Leave enough time inside the chosen month for a fallback seat. | AICPA CPA Exam score release schedule |
Your next three actions
Turn these dates into your exam plan
- 1
Classify the section as Core or Discipline and mark only dates when that section can be administered.
- 2
Confirm the NTS expiration and regional designation before treating a visible seat as bookable.
- 3
Check live Prometric inventory, save the confirmation, and recheck the appointment 24 hours before testing.
Continue with the right guide
Use these guides when your next question goes beyond the focus of this page.
Questions candidates ask
Are AUD, FAR, and REG available all year in 2026?
Yes. AICPA and NASBA describe the three Core sections as available through continuous testing. A date is usable only when your Notice to Schedule is valid and Prometric has an appointment at a suitable test center.
What are the 2026 Discipline testing windows?
BAR, ISC, and TCP are administered in the first month of each quarter: January 1-31, April 1-30, July 1-31, and October 1-31, 2026. The same four availability periods apply to all three Discipline sections.
Is a CPA Exam score-release cutoff also a testing deadline?
No. The Core schedule on this page uses the date AICPA receives your exam file, which may be later than your test date. Missing that cutoff changes the target score release; it does not close Core testing.
When are October 2026 Discipline scores released?
The target score release for BAR, ISC, or TCP taken October 1-31, 2026 is December 15, 2026. Target dates may change, and your jurisdiction may post scores later.
Where do I check my CPA Exam score?
Follow your jurisdiction's score instructions. Many candidates check the NASBA CPA Portal; some boards use their own score service. There is no single guaranteed posting time for all candidates, even when they test on the same day.
Does a published testing window guarantee a Prometric seat?
No. NASBA says appointment availability is set independently by each Prometric center. A published window defines when a section may be administered, while live inventory determines whether a specific place and time can be booked.
Can I retake a failed section immediately?
You must first receive the score, register again, obtain a new Notice to Schedule, and find an available appointment. For a Discipline section, the next attempt must also fall in an eligible testing window. An October 2026 attempt targets a December 15 result, so a retake cannot fit into another 2026 Discipline window.
Reviewed primary sources
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