Question 1

What changes on the CPP exam on September 5, 2026?

Accepted Answer

Two things. The content outline is reweighted into seven areas: Core Payroll Concepts 24%, Calculation of the Paycheck 22%, Compliance/Research and Resources 14%, Payroll Process and Supporting Systems 14%, Payroll Administration and Management 10%, Audits 8%, Accounting 8%. Separately, and more importantly, the law year cuts over: exams through September 4, 2026 test federal law as of January 1, 2025, while exams from September 5, 2026 test federal law as of January 1, 2026. Every figure that changed between those years has a different correct answer.

Question 2

Is my 2025 CPP study guide still valid?

Accepted Answer

Partly. The concepts hold, but any material written to the January 1, 2025 law year has stale figures for exams taken on or after September 5, 2026 — wage bases, deferral limits, and the OBBBA provisions among them. The domain weightings also shifted.

Question 3

How much does the CPP exam cost?

Accepted Answer

PayrollOrg does not publish the CPP exam fee on its public certification page. It states that members save 30% off the CPP exam fee. Third-party summaries quote figures between roughly $380 and $635 and disagree with each other, so confirm the current fee on payroll.org before registering. Official prep bundles are extra.

Question 4

When is the Fall 2026 CPP testing window?

Accepted Answer

September 5 through October 3, 2026. Registration closes October 2, 2026.