The exams that change careers

The licensure exam every registered nurse in the US and Canada must pass to practice. Computer-adaptive, pass/fail, and the single gateway between nursing school and an RN license.

NCSBN · $200 · required to practice

The first exam in the US physician licensing sequence, testing whether students can apply foundational science concepts to the practice of medicine. Pass/fail since 2022, it remains a required gateway to clinical rotations and residency.

USMLE (NBME & FSMB) · required to practice

The clinical-knowledge exam in the US physician licensing sequence, testing the application of medical knowledge and patient-centered skills under supervised practice. Its three-digit score is a major factor in residency selection.

USMLE (NBME & FSMB) · required to practice

The most popular AWS certification, validating the ability to design secure, resilient, and cost-optimized architectures on AWS. A standard credential for cloud engineers, solutions architects, and developers moving into cloud roles.

Amazon Web Services · $150

The most widely held entry-level cybersecurity certification, taken by IT professionals moving into security roles. Frequently listed in job postings and accepted for US DoD 8140/8570 baseline requirements.

CompTIA · $392

AWS's foundational certification for anyone who needs cloud fluency — sales, finance, project managers, and new technologists. Validates a high-level understanding of AWS services, security, and pricing without requiring hands-on depth.

Amazon Web Services · $100

The vendor-neutral standard for foundational networking skills, taken by help desk technicians, network administrators, and IT generalists to validate they can configure, manage, and troubleshoot networks.

CompTIA · $392

The most popular AWS certification, validating the ability to design secure, resilient, and cost-optimized architectures on AWS. A standard credential for cloud engineers, solutions architects, and developers moving into cloud roles.

Amazon Web Services · $150

AWS's specialty certification for data scientists and ML engineers who build, train, tune, and deploy machine learning models on AWS. Validates deep knowledge of SageMaker, the ML lifecycle, and AWS data services.

Amazon Web Services · $300

The licensure exam for Certified Public Accountants in the US — required to sign audit opinions and use the CPA title. Four sections: three Core (AUD, FAR, REG) plus one candidate-chosen Discipline.

AICPA / NASBA · required to practice

The qualification exam to register as a General Securities Representative — required to solicit and trade nearly the full range of securities products for customers of a FINRA member firm.

FINRA · $300 · required to practice

The licensure exam for Certified Public Accountants in the US — required to sign audit opinions and use the CPA title. Four sections: three Core (AUD, FAR, REG) plus one candidate-chosen Discipline.

AICPA / NASBA · required to practice

The most widely held entry-level cybersecurity certification, taken by IT professionals moving into security roles. Frequently listed in job postings and accepted for US DoD 8140/8570 baseline requirements.

CompTIA · $392

PMI's flagship certification for experienced project managers, widely requested in job postings across industries. Validates ability to lead people, manage process, and tie projects to business outcomes.

PMI · $405

AWS's foundational certification for anyone who needs cloud fluency — sales, finance, project managers, and new technologists. Validates a high-level understanding of AWS services, security, and pricing without requiring hands-on depth.

Amazon Web Services · $100

The most widely accepted graduate-school admissions test, used by master's, PhD, and many business and law programs worldwide. Shortened to under two hours in September 2023.

ETS · $220

The state licensing exam an apprentice electrician must pass to work independently as a journeyman. Administered per state (often through PSI or Prometric) and based on the National Electrical Code (NEC).

State licensing boards (NEC-based) · required to practice

The standard college-admissions test taken by US high-school students. Fully digital and section-adaptive since 2024, it scores Reading & Writing and Math on a combined 400–1600 scale used in admissions and scholarship decisions.

College Board · $68

The most widely accepted graduate-school admissions test, used by master's, PhD, and many business and law programs worldwide. Shortened to under two hours in September 2023.

ETS · $220

The College Board's first-semester-college-calculus exam for high-school students. A score of 3+ earns college credit or placement at most US universities, making it a standard accelerator for STEM-bound students.

College Board · $99

The standard college-admissions test taken by US high-school students. Fully digital and section-adaptive since 2024, it scores Reading & Writing and Math on a combined 400–1600 scale used in admissions and scholarship decisions.

College Board · $68

The College Board's first-semester-college-calculus exam for high-school students. A score of 3+ earns college credit or placement at most US universities, making it a standard accelerator for STEM-bound students.

College Board · $99