National Association of State Boards of Accountancy

What National Association of State Boards of Accountancy does

The National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) is a U.S. non-profit professional association founded in 1908 and headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, that operates as the centralized administrative infrastructure for CPA regulation across 55 U.S. State Boards of Accountancy. The organization administers the Uniform CPA Examination on behalf of state boards, processes applications, manages candidate tracking from application through exam grading via the National Candidate Database (NCD), and supports licensing, mobility, and CPE compliance services for a population of more than 653,000 licensed CPAs. NASBA's technology platform is cloud-based and spans a web-based CPA Portal, a National Candidate Database, an Accountancy Licensee Database (ALD) covering 53 boards, an iOS/Android Mobile App, and the CPAverify public license search tool, integrated with Okta for identity and Prometric for test-center delivery. International services include the NASBA International Evaluation Services (NIES), operating in 53 jurisdictions as the primary credential evaluator, and the International Qualification Examination (IQEX) for professionals from countries with mutual recognition agreements.

NASBA's business model is predominantly transaction-based and service-fee driven, with revenue generated from CPA exam application and processing fees, score review and appeal fees ($240 and $550+ respectively), IQEX fees ($255 eligibility + $660 exam section), NIES credential evaluations, CPE Registry sponsor fees from 2,000+ approved sponsors, licensing services to state boards, and NASBAstore marketplace transactions for score transfers, license verifications, and wall certificates. Go-to-market is hybrid: direct-to-consumer via the CPA Portal, Mobile App, and call centers for candidates; and a sales-led/outsourcing motion to state boards for exam processing, licensing, and CPE compliance functions. The organization also operates subsidiaries including Aequo International (education evaluations for non-accounting professions), the Center for the Public Trust (ethics), and CredentialNet/NQAS for substantial equivalency evaluations. Internationally, NASBA holds mutual recognition agreements with CPA Australia, CAANZ, CPA Canada, Chartered Accountants Ireland, CPA Ireland, IMCP (Mexico), SAICA (South Africa), and participates in the USMCA trilateral recognition framework.

The organization is governed by and operates in service to its 55 member State Boards of Accountancy, with no external parent, PE/VC ownership, or public listing. Recent strategic activity has focused on product modernization (CPA Portal relaunch 2023, Mobile App 2025, Okta MFA transition June 2026, CPAMobility.org relaunch September 2025), regulatory adaptation to new CPA licensure pathways legislation rolling out across 14+ states in 2025, and geographic expansion of international exam administration to Japan, Korea, and the Philippines.

Name

National Association of State Boards of Accountancy

Legal name

National Association of State Boards of Accountancy

Website

https://nasba.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1908

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

NASBA is a 1908-founded U.S. non-profit association that serves as the centralized infrastructure for 55 State Boards of Accountancy, administering the Uniform CPA Examination, processing credentials and licensing, and supporting CPE compliance for 653,000+ licensed CPAs across U.S. and select international jurisdictions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Nashville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. CPA Examination Services Fees: Application processing, credential evaluations, and score reporting fees charged to candidates applying for the Uniform CPA Examination across participating jurisdictions
2. IQEX Fees: Eligibility application fee of $255 and exam section fee of $660 for international accounting professionals seeking CPA qualification through mutual recognition agreements
3. International Education Evaluation Services (NIES): Academic credential evaluation services for CPA examination and licensure applicants with education completed outside the United States, serving 53 jurisdictions
4. CPE Registry Sponsor Fees: Fees from continuing professional education sponsors seeking recognition on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors, with over 2,000 currently approved sponsors
5. Licensing Services: Application processing, eligibility determination, and renewal services for state boards of accountancy including electronic file transmissions and board reporting
6. Score Review and Appeal Fees: Score Review fee of $240 and Appeal Process fee of $550 plus $100 per item for candidates disputing exam results
7. NASBAstore Products: CPA exam products and services including score transfers, license verifications, wall certificates, and decorative certificates sold through the NASBAstore marketplace

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

NASBA provides centralized administrative services for the Uniform CPA Examination, including application processing, candidate tracking, score reporting, and credential evaluations. It also delivers licensing, mobility, and CPE compliance services to 55 U.S. State Boards of Accountancy, and operates the CPA Portal, mobile app, and supporting databases (NCD, ALD, CPAverify) for candidates, boards, and licensed CPAs.

Product overview

NASBA offers a comprehensive portfolio of products and services organized across the CPA lifecycle: Exam, Licensure, and Education. The core offerings include CPA Examination Services (CPAES) and the CPA Portal as the primary examination processing platforms, supported by the NASBA CPA Mobile App and National Candidate Database. For international candidates, NIES handles credential evaluations and IQEX provides the qualification pathway. The licensure suite encompasses the Accountancy Licensing Library, CredentialNet/NQAS for substantial equivalency evaluations, CPA Mobility resources, CPAverify public license database, and the Accountancy Licensee Database. Education offerings include the National Registry of CPE Sponsors, CPE Audit Service, and the NASBA Report on CPA Exam performance. Complementary services include the Center for the Public Trust ethics initiatives and the NASBAstore marketplace for exam products and wall certificates.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• NASBA Center for the Public Trust (CPT): Platform for corporate America and the accounting profession to explore, promote and advance ethical practices in organizations
• Student Center for the Public Trust (StudentCPT)
• CPAverify
• NASBAstore
• Accountancy Licensing Library (ALL)
• National Candidate Database (NCD)
• National Registry of CPE Sponsors
• IQEX (International Qualification Examination)
• NIES (NASBA International Evaluation Services)
• CredentialNet
• CPA Mobility

Products and services

• CPA Examination Services (CPAES) Comprehensive services for the Uniform CPA Examination, including application processing, credential evaluations, score reporting, and candidate outreach for State Boards of Accountancy.
• CPA Portal NASBA's online application system and headquarters for the Uniform CPA Examination, serving all CPA Examination candidates with user-friendly online application processing, online score retrieval, Notice to Schedule reprints, and application status tracking.
• NASBA CPA Mobile App Free mobile application available on iOS and Android that supports Uniform CPA Examination candidates with exam applications, status updates, personalized alerts, jurisdiction-specific guidance, and score viewing.
• NASBA International Evaluation Services (NIES) Professional evaluation of international coursework and credentials for CPA Examination and licensure candidates, providing services to 53 jurisdictions.
• International Qualification Examination (IQEX) Examination facilitating the U.S. CPA qualification process for accounting professionals from countries with mutual recognition agreements with NASBA and AICPA.
• Accountancy Licensing Library (ALL) Comprehensive resource containing licensing information for each State Board of Accountancy, helping accounting professionals navigate CPA and firm licensing laws and rules.
• CredentialNet / National Qualification Appraisal Service (NQAS) Individual substantial equivalency evaluation service for CPA mobility and reciprocal licensure, determining if credentials meet UAA requirements.
• CPA Mobility / CPAMobility.org Public resource providing jurisdiction-specific summaries of CPA and firm mobility rules with direct links to state board laws, rules and contact information.
• CPAverify Free, publicly available national database of CPA and firm licenses, allowing verification of CPAs and accounting firm licenses across 53 participating jurisdictions.
• CPE Audit Service Automated platform for conducting licensee compliance audits with continuing professional education requirements, allowing CPAs to report CPE hours electronically to boards.
• National Registry of CPE Sponsors Recognition program for CPE program sponsors meeting nationally-recognized standards, with over 2,000 currently approved sponsors.
• NASBAstore Online marketplace for CPA Exam products and services including score transfers, license verifications, wall certificates and plastic license cards.

Quantifiable outcome

• 653,000+ CPAs licensed and regulated through NASBA-supported state boards
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered major and core.

• Mexico Accounting Bodies (USMCA Agreement)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 March 2026US, Canada, and Mexico accounting bodies renewed their recognition pact under USMCA for mutual recognition of accounting qualifications, facilitating professional mobility across North America.
• AICPA (American Institute of Certified Public Accountants)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNASBA and AICPA work together on the Uniform CPA Examination, joint development of exam content, scoring, and policy. They also collaborate on CPE standards development, the Elijah Watt Sells Award program, and CPA Evolution initiative. The two organizations represent the accounting profession's primary standard-setting and regulatory bodies.
• PrometriccoreTechnology or IntegrationPrometric administers the computer-based Uniform CPA Examination at testing centers across 54 U.S. jurisdictions and international locations. NASBA coordinates with Prometric for test scheduling, security protocols, and score file transmission.
• CPA AustraliamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCPA Australia has a mutual recognition agreement with NASBA/AICPA enabling Australian CPAs to qualify for the U.S. CPA designation through the IQEX examination pathway.
• Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCAANZ has a mutual recognition agreement enabling Chartered Accountants from Australia and New Zealand to qualify for U.S. CPA designation through the IQEX examination.
• CPA Canada (CPAC)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCPA Canada has mutual recognition agreements with NASBA and AICPA, recently renewed in 2026 to enhance global recognition and mobility of Canadian CPAs.
• Chartered Accountants Ireland (CAI)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerChartered Accountants Ireland has a mutual recognition agreement with NASBA/AICPA enabling Irish CAs to pursue U.S. CPA licensure through IQEX.
• CPA IrelandmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCPA Ireland has mutual recognition agreement with NASBA and AICPA for U.S. CPA qualification pathway.
• Instituto Mexicano de Contadores Publicos (IMCP)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIMCP in Mexico has mutual recognition agreement with NASBA and AICPA supporting cross-border accounting professional mobility.
• South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSAICA has mutual recognition agreement with NASBA and AICPA enabling South African chartered accountants to qualify for U.S. CPA designation.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management): Large U.S. professional membership association that develops HR credentials (SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP) — a structural peer to NASBA in operating a member-driven, credentialing-anchored non-profit model.
• American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA): AICPA is NASBA's joint partner in administering the Uniform CPA Examination, co-develops exam content, and operates the parallel standard-setting function for the CPA credential. The two organizations together form the backbone of U.S. CPA regulation.
• CFA Institute: Global non-profit that administers the CFA Program examinations and credentials investment professionals — the closest analog to NASBA's role in standardized, centralized professional credentialing with global recognition.
• Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA): Self-regulatory organization that administers licensing exams (Series 7, etc.) for the securities industry and operates a centralized qualification infrastructure analogous to NASBA's CPA exam administration model.
• Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA): Global professional association that administers the CIA (Certified Internal Auditor) credential and supports internal audit practitioners — directly comparable to NASBA's role in credentialing accounting professionals.
• Institute of Management Accountants (IMA): Professional association for management accountants that administers the CMA (Certified Management Accountant) credential — a peer professional credentialing body in the U.S. accounting ecosystem.
• HRCI (HR Certification Institute): Credentialing body for HR professionals (PHR, SPHR) — analogous to NASBA in administering professional certification exams, maintaining a national candidate database, and supporting state-level regulatory coordination.

Broad incumbents

• Prometric: NASBA's testing-center partner that delivers the Uniform CPA Exam at centers across 54 U.S. jurisdictions and internationally. Comparable as the physical-delivery infrastructure layer for NASBA's exam business.
• Pearson VUE: Computer-based testing provider with a global test-center network used for professional certification programs — directly comparable to Prometric's role supporting NASBA's CPA exam delivery.
• Educational Testing Service (ETS): Large-scale standardized testing organization (GRE, TOEFL, Praxis) — comparable in core competency of high-stakes exam development, delivery, and scoring at national scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/NASBA
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/NASBAorg
• Facebookfacebook.com/pages/National-Association-of-State-Boards-of-Accountancy-NASBA/57029612379
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/nasba
• Instagraminstagram.com/nasbaorg

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about National Association of State Boards of Accountancy