Short answer
Most jurisdictions allow 30 months from the date you pass your first section. A few use 18 or 36 months.
CPA Exam Pass Rates and Scoring
Every section is scored from 0 to 99, and 75 passes. It’s a scaled score, not a percentage. Here are recent CPA exam pass rates from AICPA data:
| Section | 2025 (full year) | 2026 (through Q2) |
|---|---|---|
| AUD | 48% | 49% |
| FAR | 42% | 43% |
| REG | 63% | 67% |
| BAR | 42% | 44% |
| ISC | 68% | 68% |
| TCP | 78% | 80% |
FAR and BAR are the hardest sections; TCP has the highest pass rate of any section.
Good to know
Core scores are released on a rolling basis, often within a few weeks. Discipline scores usually come out several weeks after each testing window closes.
USA CPA Exam: Quick Facts
- Developed by
- AICPA (administered with NASBA and Prometric)
- Sections
- Core: AUD, FAR, REG · Discipline: BAR, ISC or TCP
- Length
- 4 hours per section
- Passing score
- 75 (scale 0–99)
- Credit window
- 30 months in most jurisdictions
- Study time
- Roughly 300–400+ hours total
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Disclaimer: This guide is for general information and is not financial, tax, insurance or investment advice. Exam details, fees, blueprints and product terms change. Confirm with the official organization or a licensed professional. Read our editorial policy.