NC CPA Exam Candidate Bulletin
September 2025
How the Board Finalizes CPA Exam Scores
When Exam score release day arrives, you, the candidate, are the first to learn your scores. Results are sent directly to your NASBA portal, and shortly after, the Board’s database receives the same information electronically.
Within about 10 business days, the paper copies (also known as your official scores) arrive at our office. That’s when our Examinations Specialist, Phyllis Elliott, reviews each score report to determine who has passed all four sections. From there, the file goes to Executive Director David R. Nance, who double-checks the details.
Once everything is confirmed, Ms. Elliott prepares a congratulatory letter signed by Deputy Director Lynne Sanders. Mr. Nance and Ms. Sanders are CPAs and former auditors, so you can trust that your scores have been carefully reviewed to ensure nothing slips through the cracks.
Transfer of CPA Exam Scores to Another Board of Accountancy
It’s common for North Carolina Exam candidates to relocate, whether for a new job or personal reasons. The good news is that your CPA Exam scores can go with you. If you’ve passed all four sections, transferring your scores is easy: submit an online request, and the Board will send your scores directly to the Board of Accountancy in the jurisdiction where you are applying for CPA licensure.
If you’re still testing, review the requirements in your new jurisdiction before requesting a score transfer, as eligibility rules can differ. Not all jurisdictions have the same requirements as North Carolina.
And if, after obtaining your license in North Carolina, you need to apply for a reciprocal license in another jurisdiction, you can submit an online request. The Board will send your information directly to the Board of Accountancy in the jurisdiction where you are applying for reciprocal CPA licensure.
New Pathway to CPA Licensure in North Carolina
Exciting news for future North Carolina CPAs! A new law signed by Governor Josh Stein creates a third route to CPA licensure in North Carolina. Starting January 1, 2026, the Accounting Workforce Development Act (Senate Bill 321) provides more options for those pursuing the CPA license.
To qualify under this new pathway, candidates must:
- Pass the Uniform CPA Exam,
- Earn a bachelor’s degree or higher with a concentration in accounting, including 24 semester hours in courses that meet the fields of study requirement, and
- Complete two years of accounting experience under the direct supervision of a licensed CPA
Supported by the North Carolina Association of CPAs (NCACPA), this new pathway provides aspiring CPAs with an additional opportunity to earn their NC CPA license, thereby strengthening the CPA profession in North Carolina.
Exam Testing & Score Release Dates
All dates are tentative and are subject to change. For official testing and score release dates, check the AICPA website. For score release notifications, please follow @NASBA on X (Twitter).
Contact Us
Phyllis Elliott, Exam Specialist | (919) 733-4224
S. Lynne Sanders, CPA, Deputy Director | (919) 733-4222
David R. Nance, CPA, Executive Director | (919) 733-4222
Visit our website at https://nccpaboard.gov/.
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