Enrol in foundation exams
Content Summary
How to enrol
If you've completed a membership application and received your foundation outcome, then you're ready to enrol in your foundation exam subjects.
Schedule your exam
Once you've enrolled, you can schedule your exam online.
Test-centre exams
Test-centre exams are computer-based, and delivered in exam venues across the world. The technology and environment are pre-prepared, and you’ll be supervised in-person by an invigilator throughout your exam.
Please note, our exam provider, Pearson VUE, isn't able to offer foundation exams at test-centres in Quebec and any OFAC-sanctioned regions.
Online exams
In certain circumstances, an online exam may be a suitable alternative. This format is best suited to members who:
• Live a considerable distance away from a test-centre venue.
• Can’t meet the entry requirements for their local test-centres.
Please note, our exam provider, Pearson VUE, isn't able to offer online exams in Quebec, Mainland China, Japan, Slovenia, South Korea and any OFAC sanctioned regions.
Your exam options
When you log into My CPA Program, you'll see the available exam options in your region. You'll need to book an exam appointment.
Once your exam is scheduled, we suggest you familiarise yourself with our guide on what to expect on the day of your foundation exam.
Before scheduling a test centre exam, please familiarise yourself with the safety precautions at test centres in your region.
Before scheduling an online proctored exam, please ensure you have read all of the details about the online proctored exam format. Also please review the Pearson VUE technical requirements and make sure you understand the room set-up requirements.
When selecting an exam, MY CPA Program will show the venues closest to your residential address. It's important ensure this is up to date, so these options reflect your current address. You can check or update your address online.
Schedule a test centre computer-based exam
- Log into My CPA Program using your Member ID or email address and password. If you've forgotten your password or need to change it, you can also do this in My CPA Program.
- Select 'Manage exam' and you'll be directed to the secure website of our exam partner, Pearson VUE.
- Select the subject for which you wish to schedule an exam. You will then see the options available to you. Select ‘at local test centre’.
- You'll then see the available exam appointments. Select your preferred date, time and location. Note that the time zone for the appointments shown is based on the physical location of the test centre.
- You can add additional exam appointments for other subjects or proceed to checkout to finish scheduling your exam.
Test centre entry requirements
Before attending your exam, please review the health and safety requirements on the Pearson VUE website to understand your personal responsibilities when entering a test centre. These requirements will be based on local health guidelines, and are subject to change at any time. All best efforts will be made to communicate any changes prior to your exam appointment.
Entry requirements for test centres may vary. It is your responsibility to ensure you meet the entry requirements to sit your exam. In most circumstances, your Pearson VUE confirmation letter and reminder letter will identify any entry requirements for your test centre, noting this may change in the lead up to the exam date, at which point you will be notified by CPA Australia or Pearson VUE via email or text message. Entry requirements may include (but are not limited to) the following:
- provide proof of full vaccination status on arrival and entry into the test centre in the format as requested (official immunisation record). Candidates with a medical exemption should contact CPA Australia prior to scheduling an exam.
- to have received full vaccination status at least 14 days prior to your exam.
- to provide proof (in the format requested) of a negative COVID-19 result within 24-72 hours prior to the exam appointment.
- mandatory mask wearing throughout the duration of the exam and/or attendance at the test centre. Candidates with a mask exemption should contact CPA Australia prior to scheduling an exam.
- completion of a medical declaration on entry into the test centre.
You may be denied entry into the exam if you:
- do not meet the above requirements
- are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms
- are close contacts of someone with COVID-19
- are under home quarantine status, and/or have travelled to a restricted area.
Schedule an online proctored exam
- Log into My CPA Program using your Member ID or email address and password. If you've forgotten your password or need to change it, you can also do this in My CPA Program.
- Select 'Manage exam' and you'll be directed to the secure website of our exam partner, Pearson VUE.
- Select the subject for which you wish to schedule an exam. You will then see the exam options available to you. Select ‘at home or office’*.
- You'll then be prompted to complete a systems test. It's important that you complete this test on the computer you'll use on the day of the exam. If you fail the systems test, please review the technical requirements checklist and try again.
- You will then see the available exam appointments. Select your preferred date and time. You'll also need to select a time zone. Make sure you select the time zone for where you'll be when you sit the exam.
- You can add additional exam appointments for other subjects or proceed to checkout to finish scheduling your exam.
*Please note, if you live in Mainland China, Japan, South Korea and Slovenia, you will see both exam options, however online exams are not available in your region. Please select ‘at local test centre’.
After scheduling your exam, you will receive an email from Pearson VUE confirming your appointment. The email also includes information about exam regulations and administrative procedures, including check-in requirements, testing procedures and the structure of the exams.
You can also access and print a copy of your exam details via My CPA Program.
Your exam scheduling deadline
You have up to 12 months from the date of your enrolment to schedule and sit your exam. The 12-month exam deadline is calculated as being 365 days from your enrolment.
For enrolments occurring over a leap year, your exam deadline will pass two days before your enrolment anniversary.
We recommend that you note the date that you enrol to ensure sit the exam within this 12-month deadline.
Reschedule or change your exam
It's possible to reschedule your exam. If you reschedule up to 72 hours before the exam was due to occur, there will be no fee. If you reschedule between 72 and 24 hours before the exam a fee will apply.
You can't reschedule or cancel an exam appointment with less than 24 hours' notice. No refunds will be issued if you cancel a subject's enrolment or fail to sit an exam.
If you want to change your exam appointment to another exam delivery mode, you'll lose the original appointment time. You're not guaranteed the same appointment time when you change formats.
Occasionally, due to unforeseen events, exams may need to be rescheduled or relocated, and changes to your scheduled exam appointment may be required. Unforeseen events include but are not limited to natural disasters, extreme weather events, health pandemics, power outages, site closures or connectivity issues.
If this happens, we'll contact you by phone or email. If we're unable to contact you before the exam appointment, we'll work to reschedule it. You can accept or change to suit your requirements via My CPA Program.
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