Getting to Know: CBT Examination Administration Committee

Author: Andy Goldstein, NASBA Electronic Media Specialist and Webmaster
Posted: May 30, 2013

Regarded as a cornerstone of support within the organization, NASBA appoints as many as 30 committees and task forces each year. Through the work of these committees, NASBA volunteers and staff address current and emerging issues affecting Boards of Accountancy across the 55 jurisdictions. Topics range from ethics, education and global regulation in accounting principles to the development of model rules for the member boards’ consideration.

Throughout 2013, we will share features about each of our committees to highlight why they were established, the duties and functions they perform and to focus on some of the things they hope to accomplish in the near future.

We continue our series on NASBA’s committees with a look at the CBT (Computer-Based Test) Examination Administration Committee.

Until the end of 2003, the Uniform CPA Examination was a paper-and-pencil exam administered twice each year. In April 2004, the computer-based exam was launched and the paper-and-pencil exam was discontinued.

Formerly known as the CPA Exam and Administration Committee, the CBT Examination Administration Committee was formed in 2010 after the merger of the former CPA Licensing Exam Committee (CLEC) and the CBT Admin Task Force. Though the work of this Committee is very robust and detailed, the Committee’s charge is short and to the point: To promote effective and efficient administration and operation of the Uniform CPA Examination.

Douglas Skiles, CBT Examination Administration Committee Chair

The CBT Examination Administration Committee does not oversee content of the Exam, but focuses on security and administration procedures, such as the policies and procedures for offering the Exam in international locations to ensure administration of the Exam is aligned   with U.S. security measures.

Patricia Hartman, NASBA’s Client Services Director and Committee staff liaison, says the CBT Examination Administration Committee is crucial to NASBA because it determines appropriate policies and procedures for the CPA Exam so that Boards of Accountancy can rely on the Exam in discharging their responsibilities to test and license CPAs.

“There are three categories of requirements that must be met in any jurisdiction to qualify for a CPA license: education, examination and experience,” said Hartman. “The education and experience requirements vary for each jurisdiction, and many require an additional examination in ethics. However, the successful completion of the Uniform CPA Examination is a requirement in all 55 jurisdictions.”

As Director of NASBA’s Client Services, Hartman works closely with staff members from the AICPA, Prometric and the Boards of Accountancy regarding application processing, candidate services, score reporting, testing center issues, security and testing accommodations.

“Because of this, I am able to quickly determine when issues need to be escalated to the Committee, and I can provide up-to-date information to them at anytime,” she said.

Priorities for the Committee in 2013 include developing a Candidate Rights and Responsibilities document, monitoring legislative issues that impact the administration of the Exam, reviewing existing security procedures, monitoring the new administration process for the International Qualification Exam (IQEX), and monitoring candidate satisfaction and concerns.

Hartman said the Committee is also continuing their efforts to assess the current security reviews of multiple retesters and explore options to streamline the process of grade transfers between jurisdictions.

“The Committee agreed that it was important to continue tracking multiple retests to ensure there was no threat to the security and integrity of the Exam or to the public,” Hartman said. “We are still exploring the option for all jurisdictions to streamline the process of score transfers, as this would reduce the administrative workload of Boards and speed up the process for candidates.”

To see a list of participating CBT Examination Administration members, please visit the CBT Examination Administration Committee page in the Committees section of this website.