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PDPA and CPARE Examinations

CPA examinations are written in exam centres throughout Western Canada on CPA-issued laptops and marked by CPA Canada national markers. All CPA exams are written in Surpass (SecureClient), a lockdown exam writing software. Exam registration is included when registering for a module.

Examination Schedule

CPA Canada sets all examination dates nationally. Please refer to the CPAWSB schedule webpages (PDPA / CPARE) for more information about examination dates and times, as well as the timing of the results release and appeal/remark deadlines (if applicable).

Examination Locations

When registering for a CPA module or examination, you will select a location within Western Canada to write the examination. Examination locations may include convention centres, hotel conference centres, banquet halls, or post-secondary institutions.

  • BC: Abbotsford, Burnaby, Kamloops, Kelowna, Nanaimo, Prince George, Surrey, Vancouver, Victoria
  • Alberta: Calgary, Edmonton, Grande Prairie, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Red Deer
  • Saskatchewan: Regina, Saskatoon
  • Manitoba: Brandon, Winnipeg
  • BC: Castlegar, Cranbrook, Fort St. John, Revelstoke, Terrace
  • Alberta: Fort McMurray, Lloydminster, Peace River
  • Manitoba: The Pas, Thompson
  • Nunavut: Iqaluit
  • Saskatchewan: Swift Current
  • Yukon: Whitehorse
  • Northwest Territories: Yellowknife

Anyone living more than 150 km away from one of the primary or secondary examination locations can submit an Alternate Exam Location request through My CPA Portal at least ten weeks before the examination. A fee may apply.

You must attend the examination location in the city you selected during registration. Requests to change a chosen examination location must be made at least six weeks before the examination by emailing pdpa@cpawsb.ca. Examination location changes are subject to availability.

Examination Timing

CPA examinations begin at 9:00 AM local time. Please arrive early to sign into the examination centre.

  • Primary examination locations: arrive by 7:30 AM local time.
  • Secondary examination locations: arrive by 8:00 AM local time.
  • Surpass (SecureClient) instructions begin in all examination locations at 8:30 AM local time.

The post-examination process can take an extra half hour (or more), especially at larger exam centres. Please keep this timing in mind when planning your activities after the examination. Your patience is appreciated, as exam supervisors must reconcile all examination booklets and files before anyone can leave the examination centre.

Exam Regulations

CPA Canada has strict policies regarding acceptable items to bring into the examination centre. You are responsible for reviewing and following the exam regulations before each exam as the regulations are updated regularly. You will be provided with a laptop, calculator, exam booklet, and earplugs and will have access to power to plug in laptops. If you need to bring additional or prohibited items, for example, medications, you must request an exam accommodation.

Exam regulations can be found within your D2L module course homepage (PDPA / CPARE), or on the CPA Canada website.

Exam Accommodations

CPA Western School of Business provides reasonable exam accommodations for a variety of reasons. Please visit the CPAWSB exam accommodations webpage to learn more about exam accommodations and making requests.