[tjn8240]

Hi!

I have a question about the 18 month rolling window. I have always had the impression that the 18 month window began when one passed his/her first part of the exam.

I am just beginning the application process for the CPA exam and I have just read the following on NASBA’s website. “You may take the required test sections individually and in any order, but are required to pass all four sections of the examination within a rolling 18 month period, which begins and ends at the end of non-testing windows (March 31, June 30, September 30 or December 31).”

I’ve gotten a bit confused after reading this. A testing window begins on October 1st and ends on the last day of November. What I get from the paragraph is the 18 month rolling window begins on October 1st — so even if i take one part of the exam in November (I’m thinking optimistically and am assuming I will pass), I will only have 16, not 18, months to complete the other three parts. Is this the way it is? I hope not, but this is how I understand the quoted text from NASBA’s website. Please tell me I’m wrong? And if you can, can you please explain how the 18 month rolling window actually works?

Thank you!

FAR - 02/20/15 - 88! ✓
BEC - 07/27/15 - 88! ✓
REG - 01/31/16 - 87! ✓
AUD -

[schizokitten]

From what I understand that is a state by state difference.

REG: ***92*** (5/14/14)
FAR: ***83*** (8/17/14)
BEC: ***89*** (10/3/14)
AUD: ***86*** (2/22/15)

[Anonymous]

I took my first set on July and passed. Got an official email from nASBA about my credit valid thru January 2016. So it looks like 18 months starts from the month you took the first test that you pass.

[leglock]

The 18 month window begins on the date u pass ur first section. They date u pass is not considered the date u receive ur results but rather the date u took ur test. So count 18 months ahead from that date and thats the date u have until to complete all 4 sections

Its a rolling 18 month prd bc if u pass aud on jan 1 bec on feb8 and reg on april9 u will have until jul 1 the following year to pass far. On july 2 of following year if u have not passed far, u will lose audit only. U will then have until 18 months after feb 8 to pass far and audit and if u dont u will lose bec

[tjn8240]

Thank you for helping me understand!!

FAR - 02/20/15 - 88! ✓
BEC - 07/27/15 - 88! ✓
REG - 01/31/16 - 87! ✓
AUD -

[ksfc2727]

I was confused by the wording myself. I kind of backed into the answer based on my pass/expiration date. I passed my first test in the first week of April and my expiration is 10/31/15. So essentially, I think your pass date is the last day of the month you took the test in (regardless of actual date) and then it is 18 months from then. Seems you almost get an extra month by testing early in the month but often times that can lead to long wait times for scores if you do it at the beginning of the new quarter.

[leglock]

Mayb its diffrnt by state which i dont think would b equitable seeing some would benefit from the diffrnt ruleset. For me i passed aud on aug 8 2013 and it says it expires on feb 8 2015

I passed bec on 2 26 2014 and it says it expires on 8 26 2015

[Tux]

It's a little different based on the state.

I believe most states count exactly 18 months from the date of the first test that you pass.

However, some states count from the last date of the month in which you pass your first test.

So, as mentioned by ksfc2727 above, in some states, you basically get an extra month if your first test is on the first of the month. Your 18 months don't start till the 31st of that month.

But, I believe that policy is rare.

Most states count exactly from the date of the first test that you pass.

Hope that helps!

FAR - 86 - 2/27/14
AUD - 75 - 5/29/14
BEC - 80 - 8/31/14
REG - 89 - 2/27/15
Praise Jesus! I'm done!!

Study resources:
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[Author]

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