The CPA (Certified Public Accountant) exam is a four-section licensing exam run by the AICPA and NASBA. Everyone takes three Core sections (AUD, FAR and REG) and picks one Discipline section (BAR, ISC or TCP). Each section is 4 hours, you need a score of 75 on each, and you have to pass all four within a 30-month rolling window (AICPA). Pass rates vary a lot by section, from about 42% for BAR and 43% for FAR to 78% for TCP (AICPA), and FAR is the lowest of the Core sections.
You need the license to sign audit opinions, and it's the most widely recognized accounting qualification in the United States.
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| Detail | CPA exam |
|---|---|
| Format | Computer-based: multiple-choice questions (MCQs) plus task-based simulations (TBS) |
| Sections | 4 (3 Core + 1 Discipline), 4 hours each |
| Passing score | 75 per section, on a scale of 0 to 99 |
| Total cost | Set by your state board: an initial application, a fee per section, then licensing |
| Testing | Year-round at Prometric centers |
The six sections and their pass rates
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| Section | Type | What it covers | Pass rate (AICPA, 2024 to 2025) |
|---|---|---|---|
| AUD (Auditing and Attestation) | Core | Auditing procedures, ethics, internal controls, reporting | 50% |
| FAR (Financial Accounting and Reporting) | Core | GAAP, government and not-for-profit accounting, financial statements | 43% |
| REG (Taxation and Regulation) | Core | Federal tax law, business law, ethics | 64% |
| BAR (Business Analysis and Reporting) | Discipline | Financial statement analysis, valuation, projections | 42% |
| ISC (Information Systems and Controls) | Discipline | IT audit, cybersecurity, SOC engagements | 68% |
| TCP (Tax Compliance and Planning) | Discipline | Advanced individual and entity tax planning | 78% |
Every section pairs MCQs with task-based simulations, which put you in a realistic scenario and check whether you can apply the material. You can take the sections in any order.
FAR has the lowest Core pass rate because the syllabus is so broad (GAAP plus government and not-for-profit accounting). A lot of candidates take it first, while their motivation is highest. The 30-month window adds pressure too. The clock starts when you pass your first section, and if you don't pass the rest in time, your earliest passing scores expire and you have to retake them.
Who takes it and how to prepare
The CPA is for accounting graduates and professionals heading into public accounting (audit, tax, advisory), corporate and government accounting, and financial reporting. Most candidates are recent graduates or early-career staff at public accounting firms, where the license is expected for advancement and many firms push (or require) new hires to pass within their first two years. Career changers with the required education credits sit for it too.
Plan on roughly 500 study hours across all four sections (AICPA candidate guidance), split roughly like this:
- FAR: 160 hr
- REG: 120 hr
- AUD: 110 hr
- Discipline: 130 hr for BAR or TCP, 110 hr for ISC
Most of that time should go into practice questions. I'd aim for at least 500 per Core section and 300 for your Discipline section, and make sure you understand why each right answer is right instead of memorizing the rule. FreeFellow has 7,400+ free CPA practice questions across all six sections: AUD, FAR, REG, BAR, ISC and TCP. They come at three difficulty levels, each with a step-by-step solution, free with an account. Fellow adds timed mock exams, task-based simulations and analytics by topic.
Eligibility and cost
Fees are set by each jurisdiction, so check your state board before you budget. They usually come in three layers: a first-time application or education evaluation, a charge every time you register for a section, and licensing fees after you pass, plus an ethics exam in some states. In Colorado, for example, each section carries an exam fee plus its own application fee (NASBA).
The CPA is licensed by each state, so eligibility varies by jurisdiction, but it generally includes:
- 150 semester hours of education in most states, more than a standard bachelor's degree
- A concentration of accounting courses (the specific requirements vary)
- At least a bachelor's degree
- 1 to 2 years of work experience under a licensed CPA, depending on the state
You apply through your state board of accountancy and register through NASBA. When you're ready to start, the free CPA practice questions cover every section.