Pevita Pearce
The National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) has unveiled its latest comprehensive analysis of CPA exam candidate performance, offering a detailed look at trends, success rates, and demographic data across various jurisdictions and academic institutions. The 2025 edition of The NASBA Report: Candidate Performance on the Uniform CPA Examination provides an in-depth statistical overview, meticulously compiled from all four testing quarters of the past year. This report is an essential resource for state boards of accountancy, educational institutions, and aspiring CPAs seeking to understand the landscape of CPA licensure.
Unpacking the 2025 CPA Exam Performance Landscape
This year’s report delves into the three core content areas of the CPA exam: Auditing and Attestation (AUD), Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR), and Taxation and Regulation (REG). Beyond these foundational subjects, the report also meticulously examines performance within the exam’s newer discipline sections: Business Analysis and Reporting (BAR), Information Systems and Controls (ISC), and Tax Compliance and Planning (TCP). This dual focus on content areas and disciplines offers a nuanced understanding of candidate strengths and areas requiring further development.
A significant feature of the 2025 edition is its granular analysis of candidate performance tailored to each jurisdiction. This includes trending data on critical metrics such as the number of exam sections taken, the total number of unique candidates, the average age of candidates, and the overall pass percentage. Furthermore, the report extends its analytical reach to provide university rankings and statistics derived directly from examination data, offering valuable insights for prospective accounting students and the institutions that educate them.
Global Reach and Jurisdictional Excellence
Expanding its scope beyond domestic trends, the 2025 NASBA Report includes performance data for the top 20 international countries, based on candidate-reported home addresses. This global perspective highlights the increasing international interest in the CPA credential and provides insights into the performance of candidates from diverse backgrounds. The report also offers detailed jurisdiction rankings across key performance indicators, allowing for comparative analysis of success rates and candidate demographics at the state level. To ensure clarity and context, each section of the report includes descriptions that explain the data presented and the metrics used.
Spotlight on Top-Performing Jurisdictions
A key takeaway from the 2025 report is the identification of states with the highest CPA exam pass rates. Nebraska emerged as the leading jurisdiction with an impressive pass rate of 64.7%. Following closely were Utah, achieving a 62.4% pass rate, and Kansas, with a pass rate of 61.8%. This data offers a comparative benchmark for other states and may prompt further investigation into the factors contributing to higher success rates in these regions.
Notably, Nebraska also secured the top position in the previous year, demonstrating a consistent trend of strong candidate performance. In 2024, Nebraska reported a pass rate of 61.9%, with Utah again ranking second at 58.6%. Montana rounded out the top three in 2024 with a pass rate of 57.4%. The sustained high performance of Nebraska and Utah suggests potential best practices in candidate support, educational alignment, or examination accessibility that could be emulated by other jurisdictions.
Examining Overall Candidate Volume and Success
The report indicates a significant increase in the number of candidates taking the CPA exam in 2025. A total of 87,660 candidates sat for the exam, a substantial rise from the 74,165 candidates recorded in 2024. This surge in participation underscores the enduring demand for the CPA designation in the accounting profession.
Of the 87,660 candidates in 2025, 36,590 were new candidates embarking on their CPA journey. A crucial metric of success is the number of candidates who successfully passed their final section of the exam. In 2025, 23,978 candidates achieved this milestone, signifying their eligibility to pursue CPA licensure pending other requirements.
A Legacy of Data Collection and Analysis
NASBA’s commitment to tracking and reporting CPA exam performance dates back to 1982, when it began collecting data on CPA exam candidates. The organization has since published regular reports on candidate performance and selected characteristics, with the first comprehensive report appearing in 1985. This long-standing tradition of data collection provides a valuable historical perspective on the evolution of the CPA exam and the accounting profession.
The background data for the NASBA Report is meticulously gathered from submissions of eligible candidate information by state boards of accountancy into NASBA’s National Candidate Database. This centralized repository ensures the integrity and comprehensiveness of the data. NASBA staff then undertake the rigorous process of analyzing and compiling this information, transforming raw data into actionable insights.
Accessing the NASBA Report
The 2025 edition of The NASBA Report: Candidate Performance on the Uniform CPA Examination is available for purchase in a softback format at a cost of $300. Interested parties can place their orders directly through the dedicated website, NASBAreport.com.
For individuals seeking further information or clarification regarding the 2025 report or other candidate performance products offered by NASBA, inquiries can be directed to the NASBA Center for Public Company Accounting Oversight at [email protected].
Broader Implications for the Accounting Profession
The release of the NASBA Report serves as a critical barometer for the health and direction of the accounting profession. The increasing number of CPA exam candidates signals a robust pipeline of talent entering the field, which is vital for meeting the evolving demands of businesses and regulatory bodies. The detailed performance data, both at the jurisdictional and institutional levels, can inform strategic decisions for accounting programs, helping them to better prepare students for the rigors of the CPA exam and the complexities of modern accounting practice.
The trend of sustained high pass rates in certain jurisdictions, such as Nebraska, warrants further examination. Understanding the pedagogical approaches, support systems, or specific candidate profiles that contribute to this success could offer valuable lessons for other states. This information can be instrumental in developing targeted initiatives to improve pass rates nationwide, thereby increasing the overall pool of licensed CPAs.
Furthermore, the inclusion of international candidate data underscores the global nature of the accounting profession. As businesses operate across borders with increasing frequency, the insights into international candidate performance can help NASBA and state boards understand global trends and adapt their strategies accordingly. This can also inform international candidates about the expectations and challenges of pursuing the CPA credential.
The report’s detailed breakdown by exam content areas and disciplines is particularly relevant in light of the CPA Evolution initiative. This initiative aims to ensure the CPA license remains relevant for the future of the profession by updating the exam’s structure and content to reflect changes in the business environment, such as the increasing importance of data analytics, technology, and business strategy. The performance data in the 2025 report will provide a baseline for understanding how candidates are adapting to these evolving requirements and can help identify areas where further educational focus may be needed.
The historical context provided by NASBA’s long-standing data collection efforts is invaluable. It allows for longitudinal analysis of trends, such as shifts in candidate demographics, changes in pass rates over time, and the impact of curriculum or exam format modifications. This historical perspective enables a deeper understanding of the profession’s trajectory and supports evidence-based policymaking by state boards.
In essence, The NASBA Report: Candidate Performance on the Uniform CPA Examination (2025 Edition) is more than just a collection of statistics; it is a strategic document that provides the accounting profession with essential data to foster growth, enhance educational outcomes, and ensure the continued integrity and relevance of the CPA designation in an ever-changing global economy. The report’s detailed insights will undoubtedly be a cornerstone for stakeholders involved in shaping the future of accounting education and practice.
