CPA Exam testing center closings extended through May 1

The coronavirus pandemic has cut even more into the second-quarter testing window for the CPA Exam as Prometric announced Friday that its testing centers in the United States and Canada will remain closed through at least May 1.

Earlier, Prometric had set April 16 as the date through which centers would remain closed. Test center closures continue to be evaluated on a case-by-case basis with a close monitoring of specific government actions. Prometric will post updates on its closures website.

In anticipation of the reopening of test centers, an emergency testing period has been invoked, extending the 2020 second-quarter testing window from June 10 to June 30.

Candidates whose exam appointments are affected by the closure extensions will receive an email notification of their appointment cancellation along with instructions for rescheduling. No rescheduling fees will be applied, and Prometric is working with exam sponsors to make sure all program requirements are met.

Those contacting Prometric for assistance may experience extended wait times because of the volume of candidates the test provider is supporting. Candidates seeking to schedule a new appointment can search for available appointments on Prometric’s website.

Prometric has enacted the following procedures to ensure candidates’ safety during their testing appointments:

• Permitting test takers to use face masks and gloves while testing. These items will be subject to visual inspection upon entry to the test center. A full list of permissible items is available here.
• Enforcing social distancing practices throughout the check-in and testing process, per local guidance.
• Providing all Prometric test center staff with protective masks.
• Limiting points of physical contact between staff and test takers.
• Providing clear, easy-to-read lists of expectations for conduct at the test center.
• Cleaning high-touch surfaces before opening, between candidate visits, and at the end of the day, and providing disposable wipes for cleaning common surfaces.

—Ken Tysiac (Kenneth.Tysiac@aicpa-cima.com) is the JofA’s editorial director.