CBA licensing report: processing times stay under 30 days; exam pass-rate ranking shifts
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Summary
The licensing division reported processing times below 30 days, more than 4,500 first-time exam approvals, over 41,000 renewals processed through May, and a national CPA exam pass-rate ranking of 36 for California.
The California Board of Accountancy’s licensing division reported on exam approvals, processing times and renewal activity for the period July 1, 2024, through May 31, 2025.
Processing and approvals: Suzanne Garcia, deputy chief of the licensing division, said processing times remain below 30 days. The exam unit approved over 4,500 first-time applicants to sit for the CPA exam, and the initial licensing unit approved nearly 3,500 new CPA and firm licenses during the reporting period.
Exam performance and pass rates: Garcia noted that the NASBA CPA exam performance summary placed California at 36th out of 55 jurisdictions for overall pass rate in 2025. Board members discussed recent volatility in pass-rate rankings; one board member observed the new exam blueprint and pandemic-era impacts may be factors.
Renewals and inquiries: As of May 31 the division processed more than 41,000 license renewal applications. The licensing division recorded 27,687 telephone inquiries and 64,712 email inquiries between July 1, 2024 and May 31, 2025, for a total of more than 92,000 inquiries.
Continuing education audits: The renewals unit performed 630 CE audits (through May 31): 448 were compliant, 65 were deficient but resolved to compliant status after follow-up.
What the board will do next: Staff will continue to report licensing metrics at future meetings and to monitor pass-rate trends and exam-related matters; members suggested the board maintain outreach to educators and candidates as the new exam blueprint settles.