The National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) has increased the length of conditional credit for the Uniform CPA Examination from 18 months to 30 months, based on the date that scores are released, to provide more flexibility for candidates seeking licensure as a CPA. The revised rule also seeks to provide uniformity among jurisdictions on the timing of granting Exam credits. The rule does not immediately affect state board rules, and individual boards may consider the amendment and change the rules at the state level.

7 Things To Know

1. NASBA has adopted an amendment to the Uniform Accountancy Act (UAA) Model Rules pertaining to the Uniform CPA Examination.
2. The amendment increases the length of conditional credit from 18 months to 30 months, bases the calculation of conditional credit for Exam sections passed on the date that scores are released, and adds descriptive language to clarify when Boards of Accountancy may extend conditional credit.
3. The approved amendments cover the granting of credit requirements for sections passed on the Exam for those who wish to enter the CPA profession.
4. Recent revisions to the Exam indicate that score delays may occur when significant updates are made to Exam content and structure.
5. Over a 60-day comment period leading up to the adoption of the new rule, more than 850 respondents provided input to the exposure draft, which was issued by NASBA’s Uniform Accountancy Act Committee.
6. Each individual board may consider the amendment to the Model Rule 5-7 and, if so choose, commence a process to change the rules at the state level.
7. The NASBA Board of Directors expressed continued support for the development of a recommended policy for state board consideration that would allow CPA Exam candidates who lost credits because of conditions beyond their control resulting from economic disruptions of the pandemic to come back into the process of completing the Exam and obtaining a license.

TL;DR: The door has been opened for credit for passed CPA Exam sections to increase from 18 months to 30 months (I can already hear the self-righteous groaning and hand-wringing from the paper and pencil CPAs…shhhh…your exam was easier…back to your abacus and Windows 98). This still has to be adopted on a state-by-state basis (national exam, state license).

Prediction: At least one state board will be butts about it reluctant adopters.

Whatever credits you have on 1/1/24 will already automagically extend through 6/2025, so states have plenty of time to do the right thing and adopt uniform credit extensions for this uniform exam.