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-writin software. Exam registration is included when registering for a module.

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

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.

Primary Exam Locations (on-site IT support)

  • 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

Secondary Exam Locations (remote IT support)

  • 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 [email protected]. Examination location changes are subject to availability.

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.

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.

Deferrals

Follow these steps to purchase an exam deferral: 

  1. Log in to the My CPA Portal. 
  2. Select "Registrations" and then "Exam Registration." 
  3. Click "View" next to the current exam offering you are enrolled in and wish to defer. 
  4. Click "Defer" and follow the prompts to purchase the exam deferral. 

You can purchase an exam deferral up to three business days after the exam date. After these steps are complete, you must also re-register for the next offering of the examination in the My CPA Portal. Follow the Registration and Withdrawal Guide for assistance on how to complete a deferred exam registration. 

If you are deferring the exam due to extenuating circumstances, you may be eligible for a refund of the deferral fee and should contact [email protected] to discuss.

Additional Information

  • After a module ends, you no longer have access to the discussion board, Dropbox, or facilitator for that module.
  • While enrolled with the School, you will have access to the content and materials from previous modules in D2L.
  • If you do not write at your next scheduled examination, an attempt will be counted.

Frequently Asked Questions

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If you would like to change your exam location after registering, email [email protected]. CPAWSB will make every effort to accommodate your request; however, once registration has closed, location changes are subject to available space at the requested exam centre.

Writing Outside the CPAWSB Region

If you wish to write your exam at a centre outside the CPAWSB region, email [email protected] at least six weeks before the exam date. Approval is not guaranteed and is subject to the discretion and availability of the host region.

If you are unable to write your exam as scheduled, you may request an exam deferral through My CPA Portal. A deferral fee applies and requests can be submitted up to three business days after the exam date.

Important: If you defer an exam, you must write it at the next available offering. If you do not, the deferred exam will be recorded as an unsuccessful attempt. Deferred exams cannot be deferred a second time.

Extenuating Circumstances

In cases of documented extenuating circumstances, the deferral fee may be waived.

For deferral instructions, fees, documentation requirements, or assistance with your request, please contact [email protected].

a man smiling at a laptop

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.

Check out CPA Canada website