The CPA exam fees are among the most critical considerations when one decides to pursue the esteemed Certified Public Accountant qualification. Currently, the total cost of sitting for the CPA exam varies between ₹200,000 and ₹300,000, depending on your location and specific requirements. For Indian students, the CPA exam fees may be slightly different because of additional international testing charges. This breakdown should be understood before making financial preparations for pursuing such a globally valued certification.
CPA Exam Fees
CPA exam fees consist of many parts including some application fees examination fees and administration costs, of course, being a domestic student or international, like many in India, each candidate going ahead to become a certified public accountant should grasp these charges accordingly. Let’s break it further into aspects to be understood before sitting for your US CPA exams together with extra fee structures and exam patterns. And eligibility requirements before you are entitled to get those.
- Application Fees: This is the fee you pay when applying for the CPA exam. Application fees vary by state and are usually ₹2000.
- Exam Fees: The US CPA exam has four sections, and every section costs money. The fees for the one section are between ₹16,000 to ₹20,000 for an Indian student. So, it is around ₹64,000 to ₹80,000 for all four sections. These are compulsory fees, and they have to pay this amount to appear in the exam.
- International Testing Fee: Indian students who sit at an international test center for the CPA exam have to pay an extra fee. It ranges between ₹80,000 and ₹1,20,000. Such exams are outside the U.S. and include sitting at centers located in the UAE.
- Registration Fees: The registration fees depend on the number of sections you register at a time. Overall, the registration fees are around ₹10000 to ₹13000.
- Evaluation Fees: Indian students must evaluate their credentials against U.S. standards. This evaluation process will cost between ₹8,000 to ₹24,000. It is a one-time fee and is compulsory to ascertain whether your degree is acceptable against the eligibility criteria as determined by U.S. state boards.
- Licensing Fees: After clearing the US CPA, you have to apply for the license. Licensing fees vary between ₹4,000 and ₹40,000. Thus, it will surely get you recognized as a CPA, and you will be able to start practicing professionally.
The total exam fees for an Indian student to become a CPA range from ₹2 lakh to ₹3 lakh. This is inclusive of fees for application, exams, registration, credential evaluation, international testing, and licensing. Fees vary according to the state and location of the exam center.
| Fee Type | Description | Cost (₹) |
| Application Fees | Fee to apply for the CPA exam (varies by state). | ₹2,000 |
| Exam Fees | Four exam sections, each costing ₹16,000–₹20,000. | ₹64,000–₹80,000 |
| International Testing Fees | Additional fee for taking the exam at international centers like UAE. | ₹80,000–₹1,20,000 |
| Registration Fees | The fee depends on the number of sections registered at once. | ₹10,000–₹13,000 |
| Evaluation Fees | Credential evaluation to meet U.S. state board requirements. | ₹8,000–₹24,000 |
| Licensing Fees | Fee for CPA license application after clearing the exam. | ₹4,000–₹40,000 |
Additional Costs in US CPA
There are additional costs to earning the US CPA credential on top of the exam fee. These include course fees, mock exams, travel expenses, and optional membership fees, all contributing to a CPA’s success and better career opportunities.
- CPA Courses and Programs: Most candidates enroll in CPA courses, which cost between ₹1,00,000 and ₹2,00,000. The cost depends on the training institution and the quality of the faculty. Organizations like Plutus Education, and Preschool offer structured learning materials, expert tutoring, mock tests, and even placement assistance to ensure you are well-prepared for the CPA journey.
- Mock Tests: Mock tests help evaluate your CPA exam preparation. Official mock exams replicate the format and difficulty of the real exams and generally cost between ₹10,000 and ₹40,000. These are valuable for identifying weak spots and increasing confidence.
- Travel and Accommodation: If your testing location is in another city, you must account for the cost of travel, accommodation, and food. Pre-registration can help reduce costs. Proper planning ensures a hassle-free and cost-effective experience.
- Membership Fees: Membership fees are optional and only if you want to be licensed by the state. This fee gives you access to networking opportunities, discounts, and exclusive CPA-related information. Earning a license can greatly increase your career prospects.
US CPA Exam Pattern
The CPA test is computer-based, four-part, and 16-hour long. It’s meant to evaluate knowledge and competencies that may eventually lead a person to hold a Certified Public Accountant title. The test is conducted in centers worldwide, but a candidate receives a similar format everywhere.
The exam is in English, and it consists of MCQs, task-based simulations, and written communication tasks. A minimum of 75 needs to be scored on a scale of 0–99 to pass the exam. They have to pass all four parts within 18 months of eligibility for the CPA license.
Registration for the CPA exam is available the entire year, and one can apply at any time of the year. Here is an overview of the exam format for Indian CPA aspirants:
| CPA Paper | Duration | CPA Course Details |
| Paper-1 | 4 hours | Auditing and Attestation (AUD) |
| Paper-2 | 4 hours | Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR) |
| Paper-3 | 4 hours | Regulation (REG) |
| Paper-4 | 4 hours | Business Environment and Concepts (BEC) |
CPA Exam Structure
The CPA exam is segmented into three sections and mainly comprises written communication, task-based simulations, and MCQs. The candidate’s skills are contributed to a large extent through task-based simulations.
Except for the BEC section, both MCQs and simulations are given the same weight. In most cases, 50% marks will be awarded in terms of MCQs while 50% marks will be allocated for simulation in all of these sections except BEC. However, in the case of the BEC section, the written communication task will hold good for 15% marks.
| Section | MCQs | Task-Based Simulations (TBSs) | Written Communication Tasks (WCT) |
| Auditing (AUD) | 50% | 50% | Not Applicable (NA) |
| Business (BEC) | 50% | 35% | 15% |
| Financial (FAR) | 50% | 50% | NA |
| Regulation (REG) | 50% | 50% | NA |
CPA ExamFees FAQs
1. How much do the CPA exam fees for students from India?
Indian students need to pay the total cost for sitting for the CPA exam which ranges between ₹200,000 and ₹300,000.
2. Is the fee paid for the CPA exam refundable?
The CPA exam fee is usually non-refundable.
3. How much do the CPA exams cost in India?
The CPA exam range from ₹200,000 to ₹300,000 and have an application fee along with registration.
4. What is the pattern of the CPA exam for 2025?
There are four sections included in the CPA exam: AUD, BEC, FAR, and REG. Each section also lasts for 4 hours to finish. Included are multiple choice questions, as well as task-based simulations and written communications tasks.
5. What are the eligibility criteria for a CPA exam among Indian students?
Indian students are accepted only if they possess a bachelor’s degree of 120-150 credit hours, credentials evaluated, and experience with the work as defined by the state board.
