CPA candidate application guide
How to transfer CPA Exam scores between states
First determine whether you need a transfer at all. Changing where you live, where you test, where you work, and where you seek an initial license are not the same event.
Published by Kesler CPA Review, a commercial CPA exam preparation company. This educational guide is not legal advice or an eligibility evaluation. The Board or designated application authority makes the final decision.
The short answer
Changing states does not always require changing candidate jurisdiction
You can generally test at a domestic Prometric center outside the jurisdiction through which you applied. If you are already passing sections, staying with the original candidate jurisdiction until all four are complete may avoid a new education evaluation and lost time. The destination Board decides what it needs for initial licensure and whether it will recognize transferred credit.
Decision tree
What are you actually trying to change?
I only moved or want a different domestic test center
Check the NTS and Prometric availability first. A different test center usually does not require a new candidate jurisdiction.
Likely next step: schedule, not transfer.I passed some sections and want another jurisdiction to administer the rest
The new jurisdiction may require a fresh application, education evaluation, documents, and fees before it recognizes active credit.
Likely next step: compare the time risk before changing.I passed all four and want my first license elsewhere
Ask the destination Board for its initial-license-by-examination or transfer-of-grades path and the required score report.
Likely next step: follow the destination licensing instructions.I already hold a CPA license
This is license mobility, reciprocity, or endorsement - not an Exam score-transfer task.
Likely next step: use the destination Board's licensed-CPA process.If a score transfer is required
Use a destination-first workflow
- Ask the destination Board which path applies.Use its exact language for initial licensure, transfer of grades, interstate exchange, or candidate-jurisdiction change.
- Confirm recognition before ordering the report.Ask whether the destination will accept each active section and what expiration rule it will apply.
- Identify the score custodian.NASBA can transfer scores for authorized jurisdictions; other Boards require a direct request or interstate exchange form.
- Compare education requirements.A destination may conduct its own education review even when the original jurisdiction found you eligible.
- Protect the existing clock.Record current expiration dates and estimate processing time before interrupting an active testing plan.
- Keep proof of delivery.Save the request, payment, confirmation, destination application, and written recognition decision.
Three risks
A transfer is paperwork, not a reset
New evaluation risk
The destination can apply different education rules or request a jurisdiction-specific foreign evaluation.
Expiration risk
Processing time can consume active conditional credit. Do not assume the destination restarts the window.
Wrong-process risk
Candidate transfer, score report, transfer of grades, initial licensure, and license reciprocity are different services.
Primary transfer sources
Continue your CPA Exam plan