SOCPA Professional Exams: Eligibility Amended 2026 | Hespah LLC [Skip to main content](#main-content)[![Hespah LLC](https://centralcdn.hespah.com/home_logolight_file2png.webp)](/en)Search More [Home](/en) [Learning Hub](/en/courses) [About us](https://hespah.com/who-we-are) [Blog](/en/blog) [Contact Us](/en/contact) Login[New Account](/en/register) 1. [Home](/en) / 2. [Blog](/en/blog) / 3. SOCPA Amends Professional Exam Eligibility: Students In SOCPA Amends Professional Exam Eligibility: Students In ======================================================= 2026-10-20 / 1 week ago **On 18 October 2026 the Saudi Organization for Chartered and Professional Accountants amended the academic eligibility requirements for its *SOCPA professional exams*.** The amended rules are published on the exam pages and apply now, and the headline change is that an undergraduate can sit four certificate exams before graduating. What changed in the SOCPA professional exams? --------------------------------------------- SOCPA widened the categories and majors eligible for the SOCPA professional exams. First, an accounting undergraduate may now apply with a statement confirming completion of more than 50% of the study-plan hours. Also, a graduate from any other major may apply with nine accounting hours plus attendance of the preparatory programme. The four certificates opened: Accounting Technician, VAT Specialist, International Financial Reporting Standards, and Public Sector Accounting Standards. SOCPA described the move as a widening of the eligible categories and majors, letting students start meeting qualification requirements alongside their academic study. As a result, for a working accountant the practical meaning is simple: the professional route no longer belongs only to accounting graduates. The five eligible categories for the four certificates ------------------------------------------------------ ![The five eligible categories for SOCPA professional exams and the accounting-hours bar for each](https://centralcdn.hespah.com/uploads/emils/17924812360.jpeg) Each of the four SOCPA professional exams pages now lists five eligible categories: 1. **Accounting undergraduates** at recognised universities and colleges, on condition they submit a statement confirming completion of more than 50% of the study-plan hours under SOCPA's approved rules. A university-issued statement is accepted provided it meets every data field and condition in SOCPA's form. 2. **Holders of an associate diploma** or any higher degree in accounting majors approved by SOCPA. 3. **Holders of a bachelor's or higher in economic, financial or administrative sciences**, on condition they complete six accounting hours or what SOCPA deems equivalent. 4. **Holders of a bachelor's in any other major**, on condition they complete nine accounting hours and attend the preparatory programme for the professional exam offered by SOCPA. 5. **Holders of an international professional fellowship** from AICPA, ICAEW, CPA Canada, CPA Australia, ACCA, ICAP, ICAI or CAANZ. SOCPA accepts only educational certificates recognised by the Ministry of Education. In addition, for a wider map of the routes, see our [guide to professional certifications for accountants in Saudi Arabia](https://hespah.com/en/blog/professional-certifications-saudi). The Fellowship and Financial Fraud Examiner exams stayed closed to students --------------------------------------------------------------------------- These two SOCPA professional exams keep just two categories: a bachelor's or higher in accounting majors approved by SOCPA, or a bachelor's or higher in economic, financial or administrative sciences together with fifteen accounting hours. No route for an undergraduate here, and likewise none for a bachelor's in another major. So that difference alone decides which of the SOCPA professional exams someone still studying should start with. SOCPA professional exams: dates and fees ---------------------------------------- ![Next SOCPA registration windows and the SAR 1,200 sitting fee](https://centralcdn.hespah.com/uploads/emils/17924812361.jpeg) Certificate Last 2026 exam Registration window Results Sitting fee VAT Specialist Monday 23-11-2026, two and a half hours 15-10-2026 to 19-10-2026 17-12-2026 SAR 1,200 to sit or resit Accounting Technician Sunday 22-11-2026, two and a half hours 08-10-2026 to 12-10-2026 17-12-2026 SAR 1,200 International Financial Reporting Standards Tuesday 13-10-2026, two hours 04-09-2026 to 08-09-2026 05-11-2026 SAR 1,200 first time, SAR 500 for later sittings Public Sector Accounting Standards Monday 12-10-2026, three hours 03-09-2026 to 07-09-2026 05-11-2026 SAR 1,200 to sit or resit Read the table again and check the dates. The registration window for the [VAT Specialist exam](https://hespah.com/en/blog/shhad-akhsayy-dryb-alkym-almdaf) in the fourth round closed on 19 October 2026, and the other three closed before it as well, so anyone who missed them waits for 2027. What to do now -------------- 1. **Accounting student past the halfway mark:** ask your university for the 50% completion statement on SOCPA's form before anything else, since it is your gateway to the SOCPA professional exams. That statement is what unlocks registration, and universities take time to issue it. 2. **VAT Specialist:** the next window runs 27-12-2026 to 31-12-2026 for the exam on Thursday 04-02-2027, with results on 04-03-2027. 3. **Accounting Technician:** registration runs 20-12-2026 to 24-12-2026 for the exam on Wednesday 03-02-2027. 4. **Public Sector Accounting Standards:** registration runs 25-02-2027 to 01-03-2027 for the exam on Monday 05-04-2027. 5. **International Financial Reporting Standards:** one round in 2027, registration 20-08-2027 to 24-08-2027 for the exam on Tuesday 28-09-2027. 6. **Bachelor's holder from a major far from accounting:** count the accounting hours on your transcript first. Therefore, below nine hours means completing the hours and attending the preparatory programme before your registration is accepted. In addition, at Hespah Academy we run a [VAT Specialist course](https://hespah.com/course/SOCPA-VAT-Specialist) for candidates targeting that exam, and the rest of the programmes sit on our [courses page](https://hespah.com/courses). Frequently asked questions -------------------------- ### Can a second-year student apply? The condition is completing 50% of the study-plan hours, not reaching a particular academic year. So anyone past half the hours qualifies. However, anyone short of half does not, whatever year they are in. ### Is a university statement enough instead of SOCPA's form? It is enough provided it meets every data field and condition set out in SOCPA's form. Nevertheless, any missing field sends you back to the start. ### How many accounting hours does a non-accounting graduate need? Six hours for economic, financial or administrative sciences majors, and nine hours for any other major together with the preparatory programme. Moreover, for the Fellowship and the Financial Fraud Examiner exams the bar rises to fifteen hours. ### Does the amendment cover the Fellowship certificate? No. The Fellowship and the Financial Fraud Examiner sit outside what SOCPA opened to students, so their conditions stand as published on their pages. Sources ------- - Saudi Organization for Chartered and Professional Accountants · news item "SOCPA enables students to build their professional path before graduation through 4 professional exams" · 18 October 2026 · [socpa.org.sa](http://socpa.org.sa) - Saudi Organization for Chartered and Professional Accountants · SOCPA professional exams pages (academic eligibility, fees and round schedules) · read on 19 and 20 October 2026 · [socpa.org.sa](http://socpa.org.sa) *This article is for general information only and does not replace the official sources or advice from a qualified specialist before taking any action.* Articles you might like ----------------------- [![Management Discussion in the Board Report: the CMA Draft](https://centralcdn.hespah.com/249/conversions/cover-sm.webp)2026-10-24 ### Management Discussion in the Board Report: the CMA Draft The CMA draft requires a separate management discussion section in listed companies' annual Board report. 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