Applying for the CPA Exam in Massachusetts: FAQs
Applying for the Exam
You must apply online through NASBA's CPA Portal. Visit the Massachusetts CPA Exam page at nasba.org, create a NASBA account, and complete an Education Evaluation Application to determine your eligibility. Once your education has been evaluated and you are found eligible, you can apply for your desired exam section(s).
As part of your application, you will need to submit all required documentation, which may include official transcripts, a Certificate of Enrollment (if applicable), foreign credential evaluations, or requests for testing accommodations.
If you are applying before completing your bachelor's degree and 120 semester hours, you must submit a Certificate of Enrollment completed by your college or university. After you take your first exam section, you must submit a final official transcript showing your degree has been conferred and all requirements have been completed within 90 days. Failure to do so may result in the loss of any exam credits earned and prevent you from scheduling additional exam sections.
For detailed application instructions, fees, required documentation, and access to the CPA Portal, visit the Massachusetts CPA Exam page on NASBA's website.
Before you can apply for an exam section, you must submit an Education Evaluation Application, which costs $136.00.
Once you have been found eligible, you will pay the fees for each exam section you apply for:
Exam Application fee: $148.00
Exam Section fee: $262.64
The total cost is $410.64 per exam section. Fees are subject to change, so please visit the Massachusetts CPA Exam page on NASBA's website for the most current fee schedule.
The Uniform CPA Examination is offered year-round through continuous testing. Candidates may schedule an exam appointment throughout the year, subject to availability at Prometric test centers.
If you do not pass an exam section, you may retake that section after your score is released, provided you submit a new application and receive a new Notice to Schedule (NTS).
No. You may take the four sections of the Uniform CPA Examination in any order and at different times throughout the year. You are not required to pass one section before applying for or taking another.
However, you must pass all four sections within a 30-month rolling period, measured from the date your first passing score is released.
If you do not pass a section, you may retake it after your score is released, provided you submit a new application and receive a new Notice to Schedule (NTS)
A Notice to Schedule (NTS) is the document issued by NASBA that authorizes you to schedule and take the CPA Exam section(s) for which you have applied. Once you receive your NTS, you may schedule your exam appointment through Prometric.
In Massachusetts, your NTS is valid for six months. You should only apply for exam section(s) you are prepared to take within that timeframe. If your NTS expires before you take the exam, you will need to submit a new application and pay the applicable fees. NTSs generally cannot be extended, and fees are nonrefundable except in limited circumstances.
Before scheduling your exam, verify that the information on your NTS is correct and that your name exactly matches the identification you will present at the testing center. If any information is incorrect, contact NASBA/CPA Examination Services immediately to request a correction.
After you receive your Notice to Schedule (NTS), you may schedule your exam appointment through Prometric. A separate appointment is required for each CPA Exam section, but you do not need to schedule all of your appointments at the same time. To increase the likelihood of getting your preferred testing date, time, and location, schedule your appointment as soon as possible after receiving your NTS. In Massachusetts, your NTS is valid for six months. You should only apply for exam section(s) you are prepared to take within that timeframe. If your NTS expires before you take the exam, you will need to submit a new application and pay the applicable fees.
As a Massachusetts candidate, you may take the CPA Exam at any Prometric testing center in the United States and its jurisdictions. Massachusetts also participates in the international administration of the CPA Exam, allowing eligible candidates to test at approved international locations.
To find a Prometric testing center and view available locations, visit the Prometric website.
Candidates who qualify for testing accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) may request accommodations as part of the CPA Exam application process. To request accommodations, submit the required Testing Accommodations Request Form and supporting documentation with your application.
For more information about requesting testing accommodations, visit the Massachusetts CPA Exam page on NASBA's website.
A passing score for each section of the Uniform CPA Examination is 75 on a 0–99 scale.
Scores are released according to the AICPA CPA Exam score release schedule and are available through your NASBA CPA Portal account. Because scores must be processed and approved, candidates who test on the same day may not receive their scores at the same time.
For the current score release schedule and additional information, visit the AICPA CPA Exam Score Release page.
Preparing for the Exam
The AICPA and NASBA provide several free resources to help you prepare for the CPA Exam:
Review the AICPA CPA Exam Blueprints to understand the content and skills tested on each exam section.
Take the AICPA CPA Exam sample tests to become familiar with the exam format and testing software.
Read your Notice to Schedule (NTS) carefully before your exam appointment.
Review the NASBA CPA Candidate Guide for important testing policies, procedures, and exam-day requirements.
For additional information and study resources, visit the AICPA CPA Exam and NASBA CPA Exam websites.
Yes. Although NECPAs does not endorse a particular CPA Exam review course, members receive discounts through our review course partners. In addition, UWorld/Surgent offers free quarterly CPA Exam mock exams to NECPAs members, providing an opportunity to practice under exam-like testing conditions and assess exam readiness.
We encourage you to compare available programs and choose the one that best fits your learning style and study needs.
To learn more about our partner providers, member discounts, and free quarterly mock exams, visit the NECPAs Member Benefits page.
