CPA Exam Requirements and Testing Windows

Testing windows for the CPA exam are as follows:

Open Months in Test Window Closed Months (No Testing Alowed)
January-February March
April-May June
July-August September
October-November December

Exam Requirements

To sit for the CPA exam as a first-time, four-part candidate in Massachusetts, evaluate your current credentials. You must be at least 18 years of age and you will need the following:
  1. Completion of 120 semester hours (180 quarter hours) of university credit.
  2. Conferral of a baccalaureate degree.
  3. Completion of 21 semester hours in accounting, to include coverage in financial accounting, management (cost) accounting, auditing, and taxation.
  4. Completion of 9 semester hours in business, to include coverage in business law, finance and information systems.

As a CPA candidate, you will have three years from the time you receive notice of passing all four parts of the exam to meet the educational requirements for CPA certification/licensure (completion of 150 credits for certification). If you don't, you will need to retake all parts of the exam. This requirement is inflexible and you should plan accordingly and continue your education even when sitting for the exam.

If you have not completed the 150 credit requirement, we invite you to apply for our MBA in accounting. The program can be completed online or on campus, and with just one night of classes per week. Visit our MBA program page for more information.