So, you just walked out of the Prometric center. Your brain feels like a sponge that’s been squeezed dry, and all you can think about is that one weird task-based simulation about lease accounting.
Now comes the hard part. The waiting.
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If you’re hunting for CPA exam score release dates, you probably know the drill. You refresh the NASBA portal. You check Reddit. You wonder if "the eyeball trick" still works (spoiler: it mostly doesn't). But in 2026, the schedule is actually more predictable than it used to be, thanks to the dust finally settling on the CPA Evolution initiative.
The 2026 Core Section Schedule: AUD, FAR, and REG
For the "Core" sections—Auditing and Attestation (AUD), Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR), and Regulation (REG)—the AICPA uses a continuous testing model.
Basically, the faster Prometric sends your data to the AICPA, the sooner you get your life back. Most candidates see their scores in 1 to 3 weeks, but it all depends on when you sit for the exam relative to the "cutoff" dates.
Honestly, don't miss these cutoffs. If you test on the day of a cutoff and the data file doesn't reach the AICPA by 11:59 p.m. Eastern, you’re stuck waiting for the next window. It’s a massive bummer.
Target Release Dates for Core Sections (First Half of 2026):
If the AICPA receives your exam data by January 23, your target release is February 10.
Taking it a bit later? A February 14 cutoff gets you a February 24 score.
If you hit the March 9 deadline, expect results by March 17.
End of the quarter push? A March 31 cutoff lands on April 9.
Spring testers hitting the April 23 mark will see scores on May 7.
A May 16 submission targets a May 27 release.
Early June testers (cutoff June 8) get results June 16.
Finally, the mid-year cutoff on June 30 results in a July 10 score release.
Keep in mind these are "target" dates. NASBA often starts a "score leak" on social media a day early. If you see people on Twitter or Reddit losing their minds at 8:00 p.m. the night before, that's your cue to log in.
Discipline Sections: Why BAR, ISC, and TCP Take Longer
The Discipline sections—Business Analysis and Reporting (BAR), Information Systems and Control (ISC), and Tax Compliance and Planning (TCP)—are the outliers. Unlike the Core sections, these aren't open year-round. You can only take them during the first month of each quarter.
Why?
Because the AICPA needs more time to perform "standard-setting" for these newer, more specialized exams. They want to make sure the difficulty is balanced before they start handing out 75s.
2026 Discipline Release Windows:
- For the January 1–31 testing window, the target score release is March 13.
- For the April 1–30 testing window, the target score release is June 16.
Yes, that means if you take ISC on April 2nd, you are waiting over two months for a score. It’s brutal. Plan your study schedule accordingly so you don't have "dead time" where you're just sitting around waiting to see if you failed.
Where do I actually find my score?
Unless you live in one of the "spoiled" states, you’ll use the NASBA Candidate Portal.
If you are in California, Illinois, or Maryland, you’re different. You have to go through your specific State Board of Accountancy website. Everyone else? You’re refreshing the NASBA portal until your index finger hurts.
One thing to watch out for: the "Score Notice."
Your "Advisory Score" is what pops up first. It’s the 0–99 number (you need a 75, obviously). But the actual Score Notice—the PDF that shows how you performed in specific areas—usually takes another 48 to 72 hours to appear. If you didn't pass, that PDF is your best friend because it tells you if you sucked at MCQs or if the Simulations were your downfall.
The 30-Month Rule: Don't Let Your Credits Die
Since 2024, most states have moved to a 30-month credit window. This is a huge win. It used to be 18 months, which felt like a ticking time bomb.
Now, when you see that "PASS" on your CPA exam score release dates, you have two and a half years to knock out the other three. But remember, the clock starts on the date the score is released, not the date you sat for the exam.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Sync your calendar: Don't just pick a random Tuesday to test. Look at the cutoff dates above and try to test 2-3 days before a cutoff to account for any Prometric sync delays.
- Print your score notices: NASBA doesn't keep these forever. Once the window closes, they disappear. Download the PDF and save it in a "CPA Journey" folder. You'll need it for your licensing application later.
- Don't wait to study: If you felt "okay" about the exam, start the next section immediately. Waiting 3 weeks for a score is 3 weeks of lost momentum. If you did fail, you can always pivot back, but don't let the AICPA's schedule dictate your pace.