Key Highlights
- The CPA Exam pass rate for first-time test takers in 2022 was approximately 59%
- The average time to complete the CPA Exam is around 14-18 months
- Candidates typically spend about 80-120 hours preparing for each section of the CPA Exam
- The CPA Exam consists of four sections: AUD, BEC, FAR, and REG
- The minimum passing score for each CPA Exam section is 75
- The average age of CPA Exam candidates is approximately 27 years old
- Over 50% of CPA candidates are college graduates with a bachelor's degree
- The pass rate for the AUD section in 2022 was approximately 58%
- The pass rate for the BEC section in 2022 was approximately 60%
- The pass rate for the FAR section in 2022 was approximately 52%
- The pass rate for the REG section in 2022 was approximately 63%
- About 60% of CPA candidates work full-time while studying for the exam
- The CPA Exam is available in over 90 jurisdictions worldwide
Thinking of becoming a CPA? With a first-time pass rate hovering around 59% and candidates investing up to 210 hours per section, mastering the exam demands dedication, strategic preparation, and resilience—yet it opens doors to a lucrative and globally recognized accounting career.
Candidate Demographics and Characteristics
- The average time to complete the CPA Exam is around 14-18 months
- The average age of CPA Exam candidates is approximately 27 years old
- Over 50% of CPA candidates are college graduates with a bachelor's degree
- About 60% of CPA candidates work full-time while studying for the exam
- The first-time pass rate for international candidates is lower than domestic candidates, approximately 45%
- Candidates from the United States represent roughly 80% of all CPA Exam takers
- The average age of successful CPA candidates is approximately 30 years old
- Approximately 80% of CPA candidates are employed in accounting or finance-related fields
- About 40% of CPA candidates are college seniors or recent graduates
- Nearly 20% of CPAs are self-employed, owning their accounting practice or consultancy
- The annual number of CPA exam candidates in the U.S. exceeds 150,000
- More than 80% of CPA licensure applicants hold at least a bachelor’s degree
- The median age for CPA candidates who pass the exam is about 31 years old, indicating a diverse age range of successful candidates
- Approximately 90% of CPA candidates report that they prepare for the exam outside of regular work hours, predominantly evenings and weekends
Candidate Demographics and Characteristics Interpretation
With aspiring CPAs juggling full-time jobs, academic pursuits, and international hurdles over 14-18 months, they demonstrate that earning a license is as much about resilience and timing as it is about knowledge—proof that in the world of accounting, patience and persistence truly balance the ledger.
Exam Performance and Pass Rates
- The CPA Exam pass rate for first-time test takers in 2022 was approximately 59%
- The pass rate for the AUD section in 2022 was approximately 58%
- The pass rate for the BEC section in 2022 was approximately 60%
- The pass rate for the FAR section in 2022 was approximately 52%
- The pass rate for the REG section in 2022 was approximately 63%
- Nearly 75% of CPA candidates report that work experience helps their exam preparation
- The pass rate for the first attempt across all sections is approximately 50%
- Candidates must pass all four sections within an 18-month testing window to obtain the CPA license
- Online review courses are used by over 90% of CPA candidates to prepare for the exam
- The CPA Exam's most difficult section historically has been FAR, based on first-time pass rates
- Approximately 72% of candidates who fail an exam section retake it within six months
- The international pass rate on the CPA Exam is approximately 30-35%, lower than domestic rates
- The CPA Exam pass rates have remained relatively stable over the past decade, fluctuating between 55-60% for first-time takers
- The percentage of CPA candidates who pass all four sections on their first attempt is roughly 20-25%, indicating high retention and repeated attempts are common
- Approximately 95% of CPA candidates complete their exams within the designated 18-month window, with some failing to meet this deadline
- The average number of attempts for passing all four exam sections is about 2.5, with many candidates retaking sections multiple times
Exam Performance and Pass Rates Interpretation
With a first-time pass rate hovering just below the 60% mark across most sections and an overall first-attempt success rate of about 20-25%, the CPA exam proves to be less of a straightforward test and more of a marathon—where diligent work experience, strategic review courses used by over 90%, and persistent retakes within the 18-month window are essential ingredients to crossing the finish line, especially in the notoriously tough FAR section.
Exam Structure, Content, and Administration
- Candidates typically spend about 80-120 hours preparing for each section of the CPA Exam
- The CPA Exam consists of four sections: AUD, BEC, FAR, and REG
- The minimum passing score for each CPA Exam section is 75
- The CPA Exam is offered year-round, with testing windows open in January, April, July, and October
- The most scheduled time for CPA exam sections is during the evening hours, approximately 60% of tests are scheduled after 5 pm
- The average CPA candidate studies about 150-210 hours per section
- The CPA Exam content changes approximately every three years to reflect current standards and practices
- The registration process for the CPA Exam typically takes 1-2 weeks, including scheduling and payment
- The BEC section includes simulations that test communication and technology skills, which are unique among the sections
- The CPA Exam's passing score (75) is calibrated to ensure competency equivalent to a graduate-level understanding of accounting principles
- The use of artificial intelligence and adaptive testing is being explored to enhance future CPA exam formats
- The CPA exam content outline undergoes updates approximately every three years to incorporate new regulations and standards
- The CPA Exam's total duration across all four sections is around 16 hours, including time for tutorials and breaks
- The CPA Exam's adoption of a computer-based testing format began in 2004, replacing traditional paper exams
Exam Structure, Content, and Administration Interpretation
Preparing for the CPA Exam demands an intense commitment—spanning up to 210 hours per section—and a strategic schedule, often in the evening, all to achieve a rigorous standard calibrated at a 75 cutoff, reflecting graduate-level competency, amid frequent content updates and innovative assessment methods like adaptive testing and AI integration.
Financial Aspects and Career Outcomes
- The cost to take each section of the CPA Exam is about $200-$250, totaling roughly $800-$1000 for all four sections
- The CPA Exam application fee varies by state but averages around $50-$200
- The average salary for licensed CPAs in the US exceeds $70,000 annually
- The average annual salary for CPAs in managerial positions tends to exceed $100,000, based on industry surveys
Financial Aspects and Career Outcomes Interpretation
While the CPA exam costs can drain a substantial wallet, the impressive salary boosts—from over $70,000 to six figures in managerial roles—reveal that passing the test is a lucrative investment for future accounting elites.
Licensing, Certification, and Professional Practice
- The CPA Exam is available in over 90 jurisdictions worldwide
- The CPA license is valid in all 50 U.S. states and territories
- The CPA license renewal period is typically every 1 to 3 years, depending on state regulations
- About 85% of CPA firms require license renewal for employment advancement
- The AICPA endorses the CPA license as one of the most respected professional credentials in the field of accounting
- The CPA license allows practitioners to work in various roles including public accounting, corporate finance, government agencies, and non-profits
- The demand for licensed CPAs is projected to grow by 6% from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations
Licensing, Certification, and Professional Practice Interpretation
With over 90 jurisdictions worldwide and a license that grants access to diverse career paths amid a steady 6% growth forecast, the CPA exam not only certifies professionalism but also unlocks global opportunity in a complex, evolving financial landscape.