Updated on February 26, 2026
The Academic Prerequisites Guide below outline the course equivalents offered by publicly recognized universities and colleges in Alberta, which are required for entry into the CPA Professional Education Program (PEP).
Please note, the Academic Prerequisites Guide was formerly known as the Transfer Credit Guide.
CPA Qualifying Courses for Knowledge Assessment Exemption
The new CPA Professional Program will begin in May 2027. To qualify, applicants must meet both academic and non-academic requirements, which include successfully completing the Knowledge Assessment (KA). Applicants who have completed 45 credit hours of relevant post-secondary coursework may be exempt from the KA, depending on their accounting and business courses.
Applicants who complete all courses listed in the Academic Prerequisites Guide for CPA PEP by December 31, 2028, will be exempt from the KA. If you complete some of these courses and are unsure how they apply to eligibility for the new program, contact us.
The post-secondary institutions listed below offer qualifying accounting and business course equivalents to help applicants meet KA exemption requirements. Note that courses can be completed across multiple institutions. If your institution is not listed, you may still be eligible for exemption. Please contact CPA Alberta or the CPA Western School of Business if you have questions.
Alberta Post-Secondary Institutions
- Ambrose University (coming soon)
- Bow Valley College (coming soon)
- Burman University (coming soon)
- Concordia University of Edmonton (coming soon)
- Keyano College (coming soon)
- Lakeland College (coming soon)
- Lethbridge Polytechnic (coming soon)
- Medicine Hat College (coming soon)
- Mount Royal University (coming soon)
- Norquest College (coming soon)
- Northwestern Polytechnic (coming soon)
- Portage College (coming soon)
- Red Deer Polytechnic (coming soon)
- Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (coming soon)
- The King's University (coming soon)
- University of Alberta (coming soon)
- University of Calgary (coming soon)