CPA Professional Program
Learn more about the new CPA Professional Program launching in 2027
Densmore will provide support for every stage of your CPA journey – from the Knowledge Assessment and Foundational Development to the Professional Final Exams.
Entry to the CPA Professional Program
Entry to the program requires either:
- Completing 45 credit hours in accounting and business from a recognized Canadian or international post-secondary institution
- Passing the Knowledge Assessment (where available)
Understanding the CPA Professional Program Modules
The CPA Professional Program is comprised of four modules, with an exam after each module.
Foundational Development
This module builds your specific, foundational, and sub-foundational competencies. You will begin to develop your advanced professional competencies, start integrating the foundational common core, and develop your CPA ethical mindset. Once you complete this module, you will need to pass the Foundational Development Exam.
CPA Core
There are two versions of this module: Common and Licensure. Common strengthens your specific competencies in Financial Reporting, Assurance and Trust, Big Data and Analytics, and Tax while continuing to develop your advanced professional competencies. Licensure is required to obtain your public accounting license. It includes the Common module with additional depth in Financial Reporting, Assurance and Trust, Big Data and Analytics, Non-financial Reporting, and Tax. Once you complete this module, you will need to pass the related version of the Professional Final Exam Part 1.
CPA Leadership Module
This module grows your CPA ethical mindset and advanced professional competencies. It focuses on decision-making processes and applying real-world scenarios with integration across all competencies. Once you complete this module, you will need to pass the Professional Final Exam Part 2.
CPA Professional Readiness Module
You will strengthen your ethical mindset and build on your advanced professional competencies through interactive case-based learning. Once you complete this module, you will need to pass the Professional Final Exam Part 3.
Practical Experience
You will need to complete at least 24 months of work experience consisting of:
- 8 months of foundational experience
- 16 months of professional experience
A work plan must be approved by your CPA provincial institute before you can report your work experience. Time off does not count toward your practical experience.
You must have completed all practical experience requirements before starting the CPA Professional Readiness module.
Transition to the CPA Professional Program
You are encouraged to continue in your current learning pathway as long as possible. There is no need to transition to the new program if you are on track to complete the existing program. Candidates who cannot complete the existing program will be supported through transition plans and/or exemptions based on modules and/or exams successfully completed. CPA has posted an overview of the transition plan here.
The timeline below illustrates the wind-down of the current PEP offerings and the start of the new CPA Professional Program.
Helpful links for CPA students
Here are some links to help you find out more information about the CPA Professional Program in your area:
How Can Densmore Help You?
We are in the process of developing technical resources, practice exams, and prep courses for the Knowledge Assessment and each of the Professional Program module final exams: Foundational Development, CPA Core (Common and Licensure), CPA Leadership, and CPA Professional Readiness. This page will be regularly updated as CPA releases new information, so check back often or follow us on LinkedIn to learn more.
From the blog
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the new CPA Professional Program include a CFE-style exam?
The new CPA Professional Program will include three Professional Final Exams to test the competencies of candidates. Each Professional Final Exam will be taken after the related module is completed.
Will there still be a path to obtain public accounting licensure through the new CPA Professional Program?
Yes, there will be the option to complete the educational and practical experience requirements for public accounting licensure as part of the new CPA Professional Program. The educational requirements will be embedded into the CPA Core module and assessment as additional optional components under the Licensure stream. For those who are not able to complete the educational requirements as part of the new CPA Professional Program, the Post-Designation Public Accounting (PDPA) program will continue to be available as part of the new CPA Professional Program.
What will happen with the current certification program? Will my progress transfer to the new CPA Professional Program?
The current certification program for CPAs will continue to be offered until the new CPA Professional Program is available. There will be a transition period to offer the CFE until September 2028 to allow candidates close to completion to finish under the current program. There will also be ways to transition progress in the current program to the New Certification Program. More details on the transition can be found here.
If I am in PREP or PEP right now, should I continue with my program?
CPA is encouraging all candidates to continue in their current learning pathway as long as possible. There is no need to transition to the new program if you are on track to complete the existing program. Candidates who cannot complete the existing program will be supported through transition plans and/or exemptions based on modules and/or exams successfully completed.
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