{"slug":"finance-license-exam-changes","title":"Finance License Exam Changes: 2026–2027 Tracker","description":"Every announced change to the SIE, Series 7, 63/65/66, CPA, Enrolled Agent and CFP® exams — effective dates, the regulator's own words, and what did not change.","updated":"2026-09-18","url":"https://www.everyexamprep.com/reports/finance-license-exam-changes","license":"Free to reuse and cite with attribution to Every Exam Prep and a link to the report URL.","columns":[{"name":"what_changed","description":"What changed"},{"name":"exams","description":"Exams"},{"name":"regulator","description":"Regulator"},{"name":"before_after","description":"Before → after"},{"name":"effective","description":"Effective"},{"name":"source","description":"The publisher page this row was verified against."}],"rows":[{"what_changed":"Unscored pretest items delivered with the exam","exams":"SIE, Series 7, Series 79","regulator":"FINRA","before_after":"10 → 5","effective":"27 October 2025","source":"https://www.finra.org/compliance-tools/weekly-archive/10012025"},{"what_changed":"Blueprints replaced","exams":"CPA — all sections","regulator":"AICPA","before_after":"The 2026 Blueprints","effective":"1 January 2026","source":"https://www.aicpa-cima.com/resources/article/learn-what-is-tested-on-the-cpa-exam"},{"what_changed":"Exam fee","exams":"SIE, Series 7, Series 79","regulator":"FINRA","before_after":"SIE $80; Series 7 and Series 79 $300 → SIE $100; Series 7 and Series 79 $395","effective":"2026 — the schedule holds these levels through 2029","source":"https://www.finra.org/rules-guidance/rule-filings/sr-finra-2024-019/fee-adjustment-schedule"},{"what_changed":"One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) questions enter the exam","exams":"CFP® exam","regulator":"CFP Board","before_after":"Not tested → Tested","effective":"March 2026 exam","source":"https://www.cfp.net/news/2025/08/new-law-new-resources-prepare-for-whats-ahead"},{"what_changed":"CIMA® added to the Accelerated Path credentials","exams":"CFP® certification","regulator":"CFP Board","before_after":"Not accepted → Accepted","effective":"Q2 2026","source":"https://www.cfp.net/news/2026/01/cfp-board-announces-updates-to-the-competency-standards"},{"what_changed":"Testing window","exams":"Enrolled Agent (SEE) — all three parts","regulator":"IRS","before_after":"1 July 2026 to 28 February 2027; no testing in March or April","effective":"1 July 2026","source":"https://www.irs.gov/tax-professionals/enrolled-agents/enrolled-agents-frequently-asked-questions"},{"what_changed":"The tax law the questions are written to","exams":"Enrolled Agent (SEE) — all three parts","regulator":"IRS","before_after":"The Code, forms and publications as amended through 31 December 2025; questions relate to calendar year 2025","effective":"Window opened 1 July 2026","source":"https://www.irs.gov/tax-professionals/enrolled-agents/enrolled-agents-frequently-asked-questions"},{"what_changed":"Fee per examination part","exams":"Enrolled Agent (SEE) — per part","regulator":"IRS","before_after":"$317","effective":"Current window","source":"https://www.irs.gov/tax-professionals/enrolled-agents/enrolled-agents-frequently-asked-questions"},{"what_changed":"OBBBA (H.R. 1) provisions become eligible for testing","exams":"CPA — REG and TCP","regulator":"AICPA","before_after":"Not testable → Testable — provisions with 2024 and 2025 effective dates","effective":"1 July 2026","source":"https://www.aicpa-cima.com/professional-insights/article/the-new-cpa-exam-two-years-in"},{"what_changed":"2026 Regulatory Element continuing education","exams":"Every FINRA registration category","regulator":"FINRA","before_after":"Assigned courses must be completed by 31 December 2026 or the registration goes CE inactive","effective":"31 December 2026","source":"https://www.finra.org/rules-guidance/notices/information-notice-20260803"},{"what_changed":"Waiting period after a third unsuccessful attempt","exams":"Series 63, Series 65, Series 66","regulator":"NASAA","before_after":"180 days → 60 days","effective":"4 January 2027","source":"https://www.nasaa.org/82113/nasaa-approves-updated-waiting-period-for-series-63-65-and-66-exam-retests/"},{"what_changed":"Minimum continuing education","exams":"CFP® certification","regulator":"CFP Board","before_after":"30 hours every two years → 40 hours every two years, up to 5 of them practice management","effective":"Q4 2027 — moved from Q1 2027 on 1 September 2026","source":"https://www.cfp.net/news/2026/01/cfp-board-announces-updates-to-the-competency-standards"},{"what_changed":"Pro bono hours counting toward the experience requirement","exams":"CFP® certification","regulator":"CFP Board","before_after":"Not counted → Up to 500 of the 6,000 hours","effective":"Q4 2027 — moved from Q2 2027 on 1 September 2026","source":"https://www.cfp.net/news/2026/01/cfp-board-announces-updates-to-the-competency-standards"}]}