CPA AUD Exam Fees and Total Cost

There is no universal CPA AUD price

The price to take AUD is not one national registration fee. The total depends on the board or jurisdiction where you apply, whether you have applied before, which sections you select, whether you need another education evaluation or application, and where you test. Some charges go to a state board, some to NASBA, and some may go to Prometric or an international testing program.

As of October 5, 2026, California's official fee information provides a clear worked example: the CBA lists a $100 initial exam application fee for a first-time California candidate and $268.59 to NASBA for each section, including AUD. Texas separately publishes a $20 Application of Intent fee and a $15 nonrefundable eligibility fee for each exam section. The Texas Board page currently does not display the NASBA section-fee amount in its fee table, so this article does not calculate a full Texas AUD total.

California: a current AUD cost example

For a first-time California candidate applying for AUD, the CBA lists a $100 initial application fee. After the CBA approves the application and the candidate selects AUD, NASBA bills $268.59 for the AUD section. The example application-plus-one-section amount is therefore $368.59, before any optional costs, international testing fees, evaluation charges, rescheduling charges, or preparation materials. This is an arithmetic illustration from the listed charges, not a statewide promise that every candidate will pay only this amount.

The CBA's current Exam FAQs list the same $268.59 NASBA fee for AUD, FAR, REG, and the selected Discipline section. The displayed NASBA total for all four required sections is $1,074.36. Add the one-time $100 initial application fee for a first-time applicant to get $1,174.36 in listed application and section charges for all four sections. This excludes preparation, travel, optional international location charges, and costs arising from missed or changed appointments.

A previously approved California candidate pays a $50 reapplication fee, according to the CBA. If that candidate is reapplying to sit for AUD, add the new $268.59 section fee. The resulting $318.59 is an example of the listed reapplication and section charges for one retake. If the candidate must also resolve an expired authorization or other issue, check the CBA and NASBA account instructions for any additional steps.

The CBA's application process has deadlines that can affect whether fees must be paid again. It gives candidates one year after approval to select sections. After section selection, NASBA issues payment coupons; the CBA says those coupons must be paid within 90 days or the application expires and the application fee is forfeited. After NASBA receives the section fees, candidates have nine months to sit for the selected section or the fees are forfeited. Check the current application instructions and the date on your own coupon and NTS.

Texas: board charges plus a separate NASBA payment

Texas has a multi-step fee structure. The TSBPA lists a $20 nonrefundable Application of Intent fee and a $15 nonrefundable, nontransferable Eligibility Application fee for each exam section. A candidate applying for AUD therefore should expect those board charges at different stages. The section eligibility fee is not the AUD examination fee.

After the board approves eligibility, the candidate pays the exam section charge to NASBA before the NTS is issued. The current TSBPA eligibility instructions explain this split, but the fee display for NASBA section amounts shows that data is not available. To avoid giving an unverified current total, use the payment coupon in your NASBA account for the section price and confirm it with NASBA before paying. Do not copy a fee from an old candidate forum or a prior exam year.

Texas also has a deadline tied to eligibility approval: the board says the candidate has 180 days to pay NASBA, schedule with Prometric, and take the approved section. The NASBA Texas page explains that the payment coupon and NTS expiration run together. Paying late does not create a new full window. If the notice expires, the candidate may need a new board eligibility application and fee, then a new NASBA section payment.

The cost of retaking AUD

A retake typically means paying another section fee for AUD, plus any jurisdiction-specific reapplication or eligibility charge. The AICPA does not charge one universal retake fee that replaces those jurisdiction amounts. Wait until the score is released and follow the board's repeat-candidate instructions. Applying too early may not be possible, and paying for a section before you are ready can shorten the time available under the new NTS.

In California, the CBA lists a $50 reapplication fee for previously approved candidates. A repeated AUD attempt also requires paying the $268.59 section fee to NASBA again. A failed attempt does not transfer its section payment to a different section or future attempt; the CBA says paid NASBA section fees are not refundable or transferable. Thus the directly listed fee example for a California AUD retake is $318.59, excluding other charges.

In Texas, candidates file a new Eligibility Application for an additional section or retake and pay the current $15 board charge per section. The applicable NASBA examination charge must also be paid. The full amount should be verified from the current NASBA payment coupon; the board's page does not show the section-fee amount in its current display. Do not assume a prior section's NTS or fee remains usable after a failed or missed appointment.

International locations and other testing surcharges

Testing internationally can add a per-section administration fee to the domestic application and section charges. NASBA currently lists an additional $390 per section for international test locations and $460 per section for India. The fee is paid after receiving an NTS and before scheduling the international Prometric appointment; NASBA says these fees are nonrefundable. Eligibility must be established through a participating jurisdiction, and not every board participates.

For a California first-time applicant taking AUD in an international location other than India, the currently listed application and exam-section charges plus the international administration fee would be $758.59 ($100 CBA application, $268.59 AUD section fee, and $390 international fee). For India, the same listed items would be $828.59 using the $460 international fee. These arithmetic examples do not include optional costs, exchange or payment charges, or any board-specific requirement. Verify the current international list and fee immediately before registering.

NASBA also says there is an additional surcharge for testing in Guam. Domestic testing at a US Prometric center outside the jurisdiction of application does not generally add an out-of-state surcharge, according to NASBA's FAQ. Because a Guam surcharge amount is not given in the current pages used here, it is intentionally not quoted. Check the current NASBA Guam information before paying.

Other costs candidates should keep separate

A useful budget separates exam entry from becoming licensed. The exam-side total can include an initial board application, education evaluation, per-section eligibility application, section fee, repeat application, rescheduling charge, international administration, and travel. Licensure after passing may involve a separate license application, fingerprints, experience documentation, ethics education, and other board-specific costs. A candidate should not add license charges to the AUD registration amount and call them the AUD exam fee.

Preparation is another separate budget. Review courses, question banks, books, tutoring, and time away from work are not included in the board or NASBA examination charges. Provider prices change and vary by package, so compare the exact product and its current terms. No particular study purchase is required to register for the CPA Exam.

A missed appointment or late schedule change can also create costs. NASBA's FAQ states that there is no fee for canceling or rescheduling 61 or more days in advance; changes 5 to 60 days before the appointment carry a Prometric fee; and changes within 2 to 5 days require payment of the full seat fee. It says changes cannot be made less than 24 hours before the appointment. Check Prometric's current terms and the applicable payment page before changing a booked appointment.

If you need an international transcript evaluation or extra education review, those services may have a separate price. The fee and accepted provider depend on the jurisdiction. Do not assume an outside evaluation report alone is sufficient or that evaluation costs are bundled into the CPA Exam section fee.

Build your own AUD budget

Make a short worksheet before applying. List the first-time or repeat board application fee; education evaluation charge if applicable; fee for each section selected; extra eligibility fee per section; international or Guam administration charge if relevant; likely rescheduling risk; and a separate estimate for preparation and later licensure. Mark which charges are refundable or transferable, and copy each expiration date from the board notice, payment coupon, or NTS.

For California, the worksheet can start with $100 for a first-time exam application and $268.59 for AUD, then add any optional location or personal costs. For Texas, start with $20 for the Application of Intent and $15 for the AUD eligibility application, then confirm the NASBA AUD amount on the current payment coupon. If you are retaking in California, use the $50 reapplication fee plus the current AUD fee; for Texas, include the new eligibility fee and current NASBA fee.

Do not select more sections than you can sit for within the relevant window just to pay them together. California warns that a candidate has nine months from NASBA's receipt of the section fees to sit for selected sections. Texas ties the eligibility window and NTS together for 180 days. A larger up-front payment can become a larger loss if your schedule changes or your preparation takes longer than expected.

Fees are not the same as passing or licensing requirements

Paying the AUD section fee does not guarantee an appointment at your preferred center, and it does not establish a license. First the board determines exam eligibility; NASBA issues the NTS after the required payments; Prometric provides the appointment; AICPA scores the section; and the state board later evaluates the full licensing application. Each stage has its own requirements and costs.

Before paying a large application or section bill, verify that you selected the jurisdiction whose rules fit your education and licensure plan. If a candidate is not yet sure which state to use, they should compare both admission and post-exam licensing requirements. The cheapest first application may not be the least expensive route if the candidate later has to obtain another evaluation or transfer exam credit.

Prices on this page are dated examples from official California, Texas, and NASBA pages checked October 5, 2026. Boards can change fees and application steps. Before submitting payment, open the current fee schedule for the jurisdiction you selected and use the amount shown in your own portal or payment coupon.