CPA (Certified Public Accountant) Cost
At a glance
- Exam fee
- $1,051
- Issuing body
- AICPA / NASBA / state boards
- Domain
- Finance & accounting
- Validity
- License renewed per state (CPE)
Informational only — not financial or career advice. Exam fees and certification requirements change, and the figures here are accurate only as of the listed verification date. Confirm the current fee and rules directly with the certifying body before you register or budget. We report the official-body exam fee for a single attempt; it excludes prep courses, materials and retakes, and is not the total cost of certifying.
The Certified Public Accountant (CPA) credential is administered by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA), with final licensing authority held by individual state boards. As of June 2026, the base examination fee is approximately $1,051 for a single attempt. This fee covers the four-section exam and application processing only and does not include third-party study materials, prep courses, practice exams, or retake fees. Candidates should verify the current fee directly with their state board or the official NASBA website, as pricing is set at the state level and subject to periodic change.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, accountants and auditors—the occupation most commonly pursued by CPA certification holders—earned a median annual wage of $81,680. This figure represents the middle point of the occupation's wage distribution and is not a guaranteed salary, raise, or income outcome associated with holding the CPA credential. Individuals should consult their state board's official website for complete information on eligibility requirements, renewal costs, and other certification details.
Related pay (occupation median). The U.S. BLS reports a median annual wage of $81,680 (typically $52,780–$141,420 from the 10th to the 90th percentile) for Accountants and Auditors, the occupation this certification most often targets. That is the occupation’s pay, not a guaranteed lift from the certificate — actual pay depends on role, employer, location and experience. Source: BLS OEWS national file.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Certification | CPA (Certified Public Accountant) |
| Issuing body | AICPA / NASBA / state boards |
| Base exam fee | $1,051 |
| Fee notes | ~$262.64/section x4 + ~$96 application; state-set |
| Prerequisites | 150 credit hours + state requirements |
| Validity / renewal | License renewed per state (CPE) |
What this fee does and doesn’t include
The figure here is the official-body exam fee for a single attempt. It does not include third-party training, prep courses, study materials, or retake fees — those are separate and vary by provider. Membership-tiered bodies may offer a lower member rate (noted above). Confirm the live fee on the issuer’s registration page before budgeting.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the CPA (Certified Public Accountant) exam?
Does this include a prep course?
Exam fee compiled from issuer’s registration page →, verified June 2026. How we compile this. Confirm the current fee before you pay — bodies re-price periodically.
Prerequisites & how to register → · Prep guide → · Compare Finance & accounting certs →