New 2027 CPA Professional Program Update: Deadlines and Transition Rules

Posted on by Comments Off on New 2027 CPA Professional Program Update: Deadlines and Transition Rules

Update October 2025: New information released

Please see this NEW October 2025 BLOG POST on the deadlines and updates about the 2027 program.

As you may know, the CPA Canada Professional Education Program is going through some changes in 2027. At a recent CPABC meeting, several updates were shared about the new CPA education program that will launch in 2027. If you’re a CPA student right now, these changes directly affect you.

Here are the 5 key updates you need to know.

1. Deadline of Jan 1, 2029

Mark this date. By Jan 1, 2029, you must finish all CPA requirements. That includes:

  • Core and elective modules
  • Capstone 1 and Capstone 2
  • CFE
  • Practical experience reporting (PER)

If you don’t complete everything by this date, you will be required to transition into the new 2027 CPA Professional Program. And if you refuse, your enrollment will be cancelled.

Many students are behind on PER. If that’s you, you must start prioritizing your practical reporting now. I recommend to seek out a job that will add qualified practical experience. Also ask your supervisor for more tasks to meet the PERT Level 1 and Level 2 requirements and reach out for support if you’re behind on PER or don’t know where to start.

2. New program name: CPA Professional Program

The current CPA Canada Professional Education Program (PEP) will be replaced by the CPA Professional Program. The “E” (Education) is gone from the name, but the requirements remain:

  • Education
  • Exams
  • Experience

There were rumours that PER would disappear under the new program. That’s not true. You will still need to meet the experience requirements.

3. Launch date on track for 2027

The profession confirmed the new CPA Professional Program is scheduled to launch in early 2027. This means you have a few years to finish under the existing system before the transition begins.

You will have an important decision to make in 2027. The new program will launch in early 2027. At that point, you can voluntarily transition to the new program and finish there (details on transition have not been released, but we’ll know soon). If you choose not to voluntarily transition in 2027, you will stay in the current PEP/CFE pathway until 2029 to finish. When Jan 2029 comes, you’ll have no choice but to transition.

So, should you voluntarily transition in 2027 or stick with the current program until 2029? With the info I have, I recommend to stay in the current program because we have so many past exams to practice with and you’re already familiar with current case writing techniques. I’d recommend to switch early in 2027 only if the new program has huge advantages, like unlimited attempts, easier cases, less technicals etc. The CPA education team told me that the new exams will be “much harder” and they’ll integrate lots of new things, like ESG, diversity, inclusivity, complex decision making.

4. Program is under build phase

CPA Canada team has completed the design phase of the new program and is now entering the build phase. This means that they will now begin developing the new program, including the exams and practice cases. 

5. Gevorg 2027 Program now under development

My team and I are already working on a new, cutting-edge 2027 exam tutoring and CPA prep program. We will support you with:

  • Transitioning to the new program
  • Study notes based on the updated competency map
  • Mock exam simulations
  • On-demand video lessons
  • AI-integrated coaching
  • Practical experience reporting support
  • Integrated case banks
  • Exam debrief guides
  • Study plans and trackers

Our goal is to help you succeed no matter which program you end up in. Our 2027 study notes and cases will include sustainability and ESG reporting, emerging technologies, ethical decision-making, and integrated case analysis using the new five-step decision process.

We’ll be the first to provide materials that mirror exactly what the new program is designed to test.

Conclusion

If you’re a CPA Canada student, aim to finish by Jan 1, 2029. That way, you avoid the stress of moving into the new system and having to redo parts of the process, if needed.

Stay on top of your modules, CFE, and especially your PER. The earlier you plan, the easier it will be to cross the finish line. As you continue on your journey towards your CPA designation, please reach out to the Gevorg team for tutoring and support.