Yes, the CPA Exam is changing in 2026, primarily with significant tax law updates from the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" (OBBBA) affecting the REG (Regulation) and TCP (Tax Compliance and Planning) sections starting July 1, 2026, plus minor content tweaks in AUD and BAR, while the overall CPA Evolution structure remains. Candidates need to know the OBBBA provisions for tests after June 30, 2026, as it changes rules like bonus depreciation, making old study materials insufficient for new content.
New tax provisions with effective dates in 2024 and 2025 will appear on the test starting July 1, 2026. Provisions that take effect in 2026 or later will follow the standard exam policy for testing—six months after the effective date. The changes in content will affect the REG and TCP portions of the exam.
The 2026 CPA Exam format still includes these three Core exams: Auditing and Attestation (AUD) Financial Auditing and Reporting (FAR) Taxation and Regulation (REG)
2025 CPA Exam testing - Core sections
The Core sections of the CPA Exam (FAR, AUD, and REG) will be available with continuous testing in 2025, so you will have significantly more freedom in when you can schedule your exam.
Students, recent graduates, and people with plenty of time to study should aim to sit for and pass 4 sections of the CPA Exam in about 6 months. This would have you taking an exam every 6-7 weeks and studying about 22-26 hours each week.
We are thrilled to announce that CPA Congress 2026 will be held in beautiful Halifax, Nova Scotia!
The basics: U.S. faces CPA shortage, with 124,200 new accounting jobs per year expect to open through 2034. Wiss expands recruiting beyond accounting majors and adopts AI tools.
You have three attempts to pass a Core or Elective module-end examination. If you are unsuccessful on your third attempt of either the Core 1 or Core 2 examinations, you will be removed from the CPA PEP. For Cap- stone 1, if you are unsuccessful in the module, you will be required to repeat it.
Comparison between CA and CPA
It is difficult to determine which of these professions offers a higher salary, as the salary of a CA or CPA can vary greatly based on several factors. However, in general, CAs tend to earn slightly more than CPAs in India.
Declining interest among students
Fewer students are choosing accounting as a major, and the pipeline of future CPAs has been shrinking for years. Enrollment declines today translate directly into fewer entry-level hires now and a smaller pool of experienced accountants down the line.
Yes, tax attorneys generally earn more than CPAs because they handle complex legal issues, court representation, and high-stakes tax litigation, commanding higher fees than CPAs who focus more on accounting, financial planning, and return preparation, although both can earn high salaries, especially in senior roles at large firms. A tax attorney's specialization in law often leads to higher earning potential, with median lawyer pay significantly exceeding that of accountants, though specific salaries depend heavily on experience, firm size, and location.
About half of the individuals who take the CPA Exam don't pass on their first attempt. According to the AICPA, the national average pass rate is 45-55%. Cumulative pass rates reported by the AICPA for the calendar year 2021 show that FAR had the lowest pass rate at 44.54% and BEC had the highest pass rate at 61.94%.
1. USMLE (United States Medical Licensing Examination)
Students should take the CPA exams between 2-3 months. If using 2 months to study, this will provide room to retake 1-2 exams and still finish within 12 months. If a student takes 3 months per exam, then they will need to pass each exam on the first try to pass in 12 months.
CPA licenses are valid for two-year periods in California and expire every other year at midnight on the last day of the licensees' birth month. Licensees have the option to renew their license in an active or inactive status.
How to Pass the CPA Exam