CPA PEP includes multiple examinations to test candidates’ technical and enabling competencies, as defined by the
CPA Canada Competency Map. CPA Canada sets all examination dates and marks all exams nationally.
- Core and elective modules: Each core and elective module culminates in an examination that must be passed to complete the module. Candidates must complete Core 1 before starting Core 2 (unless completing them concurrently) and two elective modules before starting Capstone 1. Core and elective module examinations comprise objective format questions and short cases.
- Capstone 1 (integrative module): Capstone 1 includes presentations and team-based assignments, and culminates in an integrated business case that candidates present to a professional panel as part of a team. Candidates will be tested on the Capstone 1 case on Day 1 of the CFE.
- Capstone 2 (Examination Preparation Module): There is no examination to pass for Capstone 2 since it is immediately before the national CFE.
- Common Final Examination (CFE): This three-day examination requires candidates to demonstrate the depth and breadth of their competency development in accordance with the CPA Canada Competency Map.
Examination Schedule
Examination Locations
When registering for a CPA PEP module or exam rewrite, candidates select a location within Western Canada to write the exam:
Primary examination locations (on-site IT support):
- BC: Abbotsford, Burnaby, Kamloops, Kelowna, Nanaimo, Prince George, Vancouver, Victoria,
- Alberta: Calgary, Edmonton, Grande Prairie, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Red Deer,
- Saskatchewan: Regina, Saskatoon
- Manitoba: Brandon, Winnipeg
Secondary examination locations (remote IT support):
- BC: Cranbrook, Fort St. John, Revelstoke
- Alberta: Fort McMurray, Hanna, Lloydminster, Peace River
- Nunavut: Iqaluit
- Saskatchewan: Swift Current
- Yukon: Whitehorse
- Northwest Territories: Yellowknife
Anyone living more than 150 km away from one of the primary or secondary exam locations can submit an Alternate Exam Location request through My CPA Portal at least 10 weeks before the exam. A fee may apply. Secondary and alternate locations are not available for the CFE.
Exams locations may include convention centres, hotel conference centres, banquet halls, or post-secondary institutions. Specific locations and details are posted on the
CPAWSB website and in Desire2Learn two weeks before the exam date. Subject to availability, candidates can request changes to exam locations after registration by emailing
cpamodule@cpawsb.ca at least three weeks before the workshop or exam.
Exam Rules
CPA Canada has strict policies regarding acceptable items to bring into the exam centre. Candidates are responsible for reviewing and following the
CPA PEP exam rules and regulations before each exam as the regulations are updated regularly. Each candidate will have access to power to plug in laptops for the duration of the exam. Each candidate will be provided with a calculator, a USB key, exam booklet, and ear plugs. Candidates who
need to bring additional items, for example, medications, must
request an exam accommodation.
Examination session timing
Please arrive early to sign into the exam centre.
- Candidates writing in Burnaby, Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver, or Winnipeg should arrive by 7:30 a.m.
- Candidates in other locations should arrive by 8:00 a.m.
- Securexam instructions begin in all exam centres at 8:30 a.m.
Candidates are required to sign a non-disclosure agreement at the exam; this is the first page of the exam booklet.
Candidates are required to read and accept the obligations and conditions of the
Training Contract during the module registration process via My CPA portal. The training contract outlines expectations regarding candidates not sharing exam details.
Securexam
Securexam is the lockdown software used to secure candidate laptops for use in an exam setting. All candidates are required to arrive at the exam centre with the latest version of Securexam already installed on a permitted variety of laptop computer. Candidates planning to write on an employer-provided laptop with restricted permissions must leave enough time to obtain assistance from the employer’s in-house IT support to install the software before the exam.
Please note: only PC laptops are permitted for exam use. Mac computers (even running Bootcamp) are not allowed. PC netbooks (that rely on an internet connection to function) and tablet-type units are also not permitted, including PC laptops with a screen that can detach from the keyboard, i.e. Microsoft Surface computers.
For an optimal exam-writing experience, please ensure that you disable both Windows updates and any installed antivirus applications before attempting to write an exam.
For detailed installation and user instructions, please consult the Securexam guides and videos available in Desire2Learn. Please note, Securexam only works if a computer’s language is set to English or French and will not work with other language settings.
Exam Deferral
CPA PEP candidates can defer CPA module exams for any reason and are not required to request permission. Fees are applied to all deferrals. Please note, the CFE is not a module exam and cannot be deferred. Candidates who wish to postpone writing the CFE must withdraw and register again during the next CFE registration period.
Module exam deferral is available only via My CPA Portal and only during the week immediately before an exam and within three days after the exam. The deferral process is as follows:
- One week before the exam, the module status for eligible candidates changes from New to QTR (Qualified to Write) in My CPA Portal.
- Log into the portal and select Exam Deferral
- Follow the prompts and pay the deferral fee.
- Register for the next exam offering if the module registration period is open, or during the next module registration period.
Candidates who defer an exam must write it at the next available offering. Candidates who do not register for the next exam offering, who do not write the exam at the next offering, or who withdraw from a deferred exam automatically fail the module.