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FYI, CPA Exam Candidates, COVID-19 Just Killed Prometric

Whelp it’s official, no one is going to be taking the CPA exam anytime soon. Prometric announced yesterday they are taking steps to close all testing centers in the United States and Canada for 30 days.

Let’s check out the details:

Within the past 24 hours, the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) have issued updated guidance on measures to be taken to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 disease. In particular, the CDC lowered the number of people that should be able to congregate in the same space from 50 to 10 in the United States.

Given this new guidance, Prometric has determined it is necessary and appropriate to temporarily close our test centers in the United States and Canada for a period of 30 days, starting March 18. This step is being taken to further protect the health and well-being of the individual test takers and our staff. We anticipate re-opening our test centers effective April 16.

We’re currently in a blackout period until April 1 so I imagine the closure shouldn’t affect too many CPA exam candidates, but who knows how long this could drag out. If you have an existing exam scheduled, you should receive an email from Prometric with details on how to reschedule. They will not be charging rescheduling fees to change your appointment.

As of today, March 18, testing centers in the following countries are experiencing closures due to COVID-19:

  • China
  • Italy
  • Belgium
  • Poland
  • Slovakia
  • Bahrain
  • United Arab Emirates
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Cyprus
  • Qatar
  • Kuwait
  • United States
  • France

Last we heard, NASBA was giving extensions to international candidates affected by travel bans and it looks like they’re working on extending credit to domestic candidates due to the Prometric closures. Do them a favor and don’t blow up their phone, they’re on it.

NASBA has recommended that the Boards of Accountancy extend all NTS with expirations between April 1 – June 30, 2020, until September 30, 2020. At this time, no action is required by candidates and there is no need to contact NASBA or your Board of Accountancy. Please monitor our social media channels and website for updates on when the NTS extensions are completed.

NASBA will identify all candidates who have an open NTS and credit expiring through June 30, 2020, and provide this information to Boards with a recommendation to grant an extension of credit if the candidate is impacted by circumstances beyond their control. Due to shutdowns of many board offices, the decisions to extend conditional credit will not be finalized until Boards resume normal operations. There is no need to contact Boards at this time.

So that’s the situation on that. Enjoy the mandatory respite, future CPAs. And wash your hands, you filthy animals.