CPA Exam Notice to Schedule (NTS): Everything You Need to Know

What Is the Notice to Schedule?

The Notice to Schedule is your official authorization to sit for the CPA exam. Issued by the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) on behalf of your state board, the NTS confirms that your application has been approved and lists the exam sections you are authorized to take. Without a valid NTS, you cannot schedule or sit for any section of the CPA exam.

The NTS is a critical document in the CPA exam process, and understanding its details helps you avoid costly mistakes like letting it expire or scheduling the wrong sections.

How to Obtain Your NTS

The NTS is issued after your state board approves your CPA exam application. The general process works as follows. You submit your application and required documents (transcripts, identification, fees) to your state board or CPAES. Your state board reviews and approves your application. NASBA processes your exam fees. Your NTS is issued electronically, usually via email, and is also accessible through your NASBA account.

The timeline from application submission to NTS receipt varies by state. Some states issue the NTS within two to three weeks, while others may take six to eight weeks. During busy periods, such as early in the year when many candidates begin their CPA journey, processing times can be even longer.

What Information Does the NTS Contain?

Your NTS includes several important pieces of information. It lists your full legal name as it appears on your application, your exam section ID for each authorized section, the launch code needed to start the exam at the testing center, the jurisdiction through which you are testing, the NTS expiration date, and payment confirmation. Verify that all information is accurate as soon as you receive your NTS. Any errors, especially in your name, must be corrected before you schedule your exam.

NTS Validity Period

The NTS has a limited validity period that varies by jurisdiction. Most states issue NTS documents that are valid for six months from the date of issuance. Some states provide shorter or longer validity windows. Once the NTS expires, you cannot use it to schedule or sit for the exam, and the associated fees are forfeited.

This is one of the most expensive mistakes candidates make. If you apply for multiple sections and your NTS expires before you test, you lose the exam fees for each unscheduled section. To avoid this, only apply for sections you are confident you can prepare for and take within the NTS validity window.

Managing Multiple Sections

You can apply for one, two, three, or all four core sections at once, depending on your state's policies. Each section you include on your application adds to the total cost. Some candidates prefer to apply for all sections at once to simplify the process, while others apply one or two at a time to reduce the risk of NTS expiration.

The right approach depends on your study timeline. If you have a structured study plan and can realistically prepare for and take all selected sections within six months, applying for multiple sections at once saves time on the application process. If your timeline is uncertain, applying for fewer sections at a time minimizes financial risk.

What to Do If Your NTS Expires

If your NTS expires before you sit for all the sections listed on it, you will need to reapply for the unscheduled sections. This means submitting a new application, paying application and exam fees again, and waiting for the processing period before receiving a new NTS. There is no mechanism to extend an expired NTS.

Some jurisdictions may allow you to request a refund for unused sections if you contact them before the NTS expires, but this is not common and policies vary by state. Check with your state board about their specific refund policies before your NTS expires.

NTS Tips and Best Practices

• Schedule your exam as soon as possible after receiving your NTS to secure your preferred testing date and location.
• Set calendar reminders for your NTS expiration date, with alerts at the 90-day, 60-day, and 30-day marks.
• Save a digital copy of your NTS in a secure location and consider printing a backup, even though you do not need to bring a physical copy to the testing center.
• Verify that your name on the NTS matches your government-issued ID exactly. Any discrepancy will prevent you from taking the exam.
• If you need to change your name on the NTS due to marriage or other legal reasons, contact your state board immediately to start the correction process.
• Plan your study schedule around the NTS validity period, working backward from the expiration date to set milestones.