CPA Exam NTS Expired: What Happens and How to Get a New One
If your Notice to Schedule expired before you took the Exam, that NTS is no longer valid. You generally need to reapply for the section, pay the applicable fees again, receive a new NTS, and schedule again.
The short answer
If your NTS expires, the old authorization becomes invalid. You cannot test with it, the fees are generally forfeited, and you need a new section application or registration and a new NTS before scheduling again.
Does an expired NTS automatically extend?
No. The NTS has a specific validity period established under your jurisdiction's process. Paying for it does not make the expiration date flexible.
Can you get a refund?
Generally no. Current NASBA guidance says that if you do not test before the NTS expires, you need a new application or registration and the expired Exam fees are not carried forward.
Cancelling Prometric does not extend the NTS
If your NTS expires December 20 and you cancel a December 10 appointment, the authorization still expires December 20. You would need another valid appointment before that date to use the same NTS.
Where is the expiration date?
It is listed on the NTS. When you receive an NTS, check your name, section, Section ID, and expiration date.
NTS validity varies by jurisdiction
Do not assume your friend's validity period matches yours. Your own NTS controls.
Can you reapply the same day it expires?
The expired status may need to process before the system lets you apply for the same section again. If the application option is not immediately available, that does not automatically mean something is wrong.
Can you have two open NTSs for the same section?
Generally no. The first authorization normally needs to be exhausted through testing, expiration, or the applicable status process before another authorization for the same section is issued.
What if the appointment is after the NTS expiration?
That is a problem. The appointment must fall within the valid authorization period. Prometric seat availability does not override the NTS.
What if the only available seat is after expiration?
Search nearby centers, different times, or cancellations. If a genuine hardship is involved, contact the applicable authority. Do not assume ordinary seat availability creates an automatic extension.
Can NASBA extend an NTS?
Extensions may be considered in certain documented hardship circumstances depending on the jurisdiction and facts, such as medical emergencies or testing-center disruptions.
What if Prometric cancelled your Exam?
That is different from simply letting the NTS expire. Follow the test-center closure process immediately.
What should you do right now?
1. Confirm expiration
Open the CPA Portal or jurisdiction system.
2. Check reapplication
See whether the section is available again.
3. Reapply
Complete the applicable section process.
4. Get the new NTS
Check the new expiration date immediately.
5. Schedule realistically
Choose a date you can actually make.
How to avoid another expiration
Do not apply for a section simply because you eventually want to take it. Apply when you are actually about to study it, have enough weekly capacity, and can realistically sit during the NTS period.
Use a three-date system
As soon as you receive the new NTS, write down the NTS expiration date, target test date, and backup test date. Your backup should still fall comfortably before expiration.
NTS expiration FAQ
What happens if it expires?
You generally need a new application or registration and a new NTS.
Do you lose the fees?
Generally yes.
Does cancelling Prometric extend it?
No.
Can you test after the expiration date?
No.
The takeaway
Reapply → get a new NTS → schedule again.
The expired NTS is an administrative setback, not a reason to restart your studying.