Understanding the full cost of the CPA exam is essential for budgeting and planning. The costs go well beyond the exam fees themselves, and many candidates are surprised by the total when they add everything up. This guide provides a comprehensive breakdown of every cost you might encounter on your path to CPA licensure, along with practical strategies for reducing your total investment.
Exam Section Fees
The CPA exam consists of four sections, and each section has an examination fee that you pay when you are ready to schedule. These fees are paid to NASBA and are the same regardless of which state you apply through.
As of the current fee schedule, each section costs approximately $350 to $400. For all four sections, you are looking at $1,400 to $1,600 in exam fees alone.
Important: these fees are per attempt. If you need to retake a section, you pay the full section fee again. This is why first-time pass rates matter so much from a financial perspective.
Application and Evaluation Fees
Before you can pay exam fees and receive your NTS, you need to apply through your state board. The costs at this stage vary significantly by state:
- Initial application fee: $50 to $200, depending on your state
- Transcript evaluation fee: Some states charge separately for evaluating your transcripts and credentials, typically $50 to $100
- International credential evaluation: If you have foreign credentials, evaluation by an approved service costs $150 to $300 or more
- Re-application fees: If your NTS expires and you need to reapply, most states charge a re-application fee
Total application-related costs typically run $100 to $300 for domestic candidates, with international candidates potentially paying more.
CPA Review Course Costs
A CPA review course is the single largest non-exam expense for most candidates, and most experts consider it a near-essential investment. Trying to pass the CPA exam without a structured review course is possible but significantly more difficult.
Here is what you can expect to pay for a review course:
- Full-featured courses (Becker, Roger, Surgent, Wiley): $1,500 to $3,500 for all four sections
- Budget-friendly options (Ninja CPA, some supplemental courses): $500 to $1,500
- Individual section access: Many providers offer per-section pricing, typically $300 to $800 per section
- Used or older-edition materials: Available at lower costs, but may not reflect current exam content
Review course prices have become more competitive in recent years, and many providers offer payment plans, student discounts, or promotional pricing. Some also offer free trial periods so you can evaluate the course before committing.
What to Look For in a Review Course
Since this is likely your largest single expense, choose carefully. A good review course should include:
- Comprehensive coverage of all exam topics aligned with the current AICPA blueprints
- Thousands of practice multiple-choice questions with detailed explanations
- Practice task-based simulations that mirror the actual exam format
- Full-length practice exams under timed conditions
- Regular content updates to reflect changes in accounting standards and exam structure
- Access long enough to complete your study plan (some courses expire after 12 or 18 months)
Additional Education Costs
If you need additional credit hours to meet the 150-hour requirement, this adds to your total cost:
- Community college courses: $1,500 to $4,500 for 30 credit hours
- Online courses: $3,000 to $15,000 for 30 credit hours
- Master's degree: $15,000 to $60,000 or more
- CLEP exams: $450 to $900 if your state accepts them
Not every candidate faces this cost. If you already have 150 hours, or if you are earning a master's degree for career reasons beyond the CPA requirement, this may not be an additional CPA-specific expense.
Ethics Exam Costs
Many states require you to pass a separate ethics examination. The AICPA Professional Ethics exam costs approximately $200 to $250 including the self-study materials. Some states have their own ethics exams with different pricing.
Licensing Fees
Once you pass all four exam sections and meet your state's experience requirements, you will need to apply for your CPA license. Licensing fees vary by state but typically run $50 to $200. You will also need to pay license renewal fees, usually annually or biennially, ranging from $50 to $300.
Continuing Professional Education (CPE)
After becoming licensed, most states require 40 hours of CPE per year (or 80 hours per biennial period) to maintain your license. CPE costs vary widely:
- Free CPE is available through some employers, professional organizations, and online providers
- Paid CPE courses typically cost $20 to $100 per credit hour
- Annual CPE costs can range from $0 (if your employer covers it) to $1,000 or more for premium courses
Retake Costs
Retakes are a significant cost that many candidates do not budget for. Given that approximately half of all exam attempts result in failure, retakes are common. Each retake costs:
- Exam section fee: $350 to $400
- Re-application fee (if NTS expired): $50 to $200, depending on your state
- Extended review course access: Some courses charge $200 to $500 for extended access if your initial period has expired
A single retake might cost $400 to $600 all in. If you need to retake multiple sections, the costs add up quickly. This is another reason why investing in thorough preparation upfront is financially smart.
Total Cost Summary
Here is a summary of typical total costs for a domestic candidate:
- Minimum realistic cost (passing all four on the first try, using a budget review course, no additional education needed): approximately $3,000 to $4,000
- Average total cost (passing most sections on the first try, using a mid-range review course, some additional education needed): approximately $6,000 to $10,000
- High-end cost (needing retakes, premium review course, master's degree for 150 hours): approximately $20,000 to $70,000
Most candidates fall in the $5,000 to $12,000 range for total out-of-pocket costs, excluding any graduate degree.
Ways to Reduce Your CPA Costs
There are practical steps you can take to keep your costs down:
Employer Reimbursement
Many accounting firms and corporations reimburse CPA exam costs, including review courses, exam fees, and application fees. Some even offer paid study time. If your employer offers reimbursement, this can reduce your out-of-pocket cost to nearly zero. Ask about reimbursement policies before you start spending.
CPA Passing Bonuses
Big Four firms and many mid-size and large firms offer bonuses of $3,000 to $10,000 for passing the CPA exam. This is essentially a retroactive reimbursement and can offset a large portion of your costs.
Review Course Discounts
CPA review courses frequently offer discounts, especially:
- Student discounts for recent graduates
- Seasonal promotions during enrollment periods
- Payment plans that spread the cost over several months
- Bundle deals that reduce per-section pricing
Affordable Education Options
If you need additional credit hours, community college and CLEP exams are dramatically cheaper than a master's degree. If you do not need the graduate credential for career purposes, do not pay for one just to meet the 150-hour requirement.
Pass on the First Attempt
The most effective cost-saving strategy is passing each section on the first attempt. Every retake adds $400 or more in direct costs, plus the opportunity cost of additional study time. Investing in thorough preparation upfront is almost always cheaper than retaking sections.
Understanding the full cost picture helps you plan effectively and avoid surprises. The CPA exam is a meaningful financial investment, but its returns in salary premiums and career advancement make it one of the best investments in professional development. Think CPA offers an effective, structured approach to CPA exam preparation that helps you maximize your chances of passing each section on the first try, keeping your total costs down and your career trajectory pointed up.