Sheet 41Exam fact
How much does the STSC exam cost?
The STSC costs $120 to apply and $185 to sit the exam, or $293 when you buy both at once as BCSP's application-and-exam combo. Every amount here is from BCSP's fee sheet V.2026.04.01, as of October 2026.
- ExamSTSC
- SourceBCSP Credentials At-A-Glance, V.2026.04.01
- CheckedOct 12, 2026
BCSP charges a $120 application fee and $185 for a single exam attempt; the two bought together as a combo cost $293 (BCSP Credentials At-A-Glance V.2026.04.01, as of October 2026).
Source: BCSP Credentials At-A-Glance, V.2026.04.01 · checked Oct 12, 2026
Every STSC fee BCSP lists
| Item | Amount | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | $120 | BCSP's review of your application; nonrefundable |
| Exam fee | $185 | One exam authorization, good for a single attempt |
| Application + exam combo | $293 | Both of the above in one purchase |
| Exam Bundle | $325 | An exam authorization, BCSP's online Self-Assessment, and a second attempt if the first is unsuccessful |
| Application + Exam Bundle combo | $433 | The application plus the Exam Bundle |
| Eligibility extension | $100 | One time only, bought in the last 60 days of eligibility; adds a year |
| Annual renewal fee | $70 a year | Keeps the credential active after you pass; prorated in the year you pass |
Sources: BCSP At-A-Glance V.2026.04.01, BCSP Credentials At-A-Glance page and BCSP's STSC page, checked Oct 12, 2026. BCSP adds: "Fees and passing scores are subject to change without advance notice."
Single exam or the bundle
The $325 Exam Bundle costs $140 more than one $185 exam. The difference buys BCSP's Self-Assessment, a practice assessment half the length of the exam, and a second attempt if the first one does not pass. BCSP does not post a standalone price for the Self-Assessment.
Without the bundle, a second try means a new $185 exam authorization and a six-week wait; the retake policy sheet walks through it. How the Self-Assessment compares with a full course is on STSC prep options.
Both combos come in $12 under buying the parts one at a time: $293 against $120 + $185, and $433 against $120 + $325 (our arithmetic on BCSP's prices).
After you pass
The credential carries a $70 annual renewal fee (as of October 2026). BCSP bills it on its own, prorated for the rest of the year you pass, and the application fee does not include it. The recertification points that go with it are on the STSC renewal sheet.
Paying in the right order, and military help
You pay the application first, then the exam, unless you take a combo; the order is laid out in the STSC application steps.
Service members can look at the military COOL programs, which BCSP says "pay for exam fees, examCORE, and certifications' renewal fees." Active or retired military may also qualify for reimbursement of the exam fee through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Details are on BCSP's service member benefits page (as of October 2026).
Refunds, retakes and the renewal fee
Is the STSC application fee refundable?
No. BCSP's Complete Guide states that the $120 application fee is nonrefundable (as of October 2026).
What does it cost to retake the STSC?
There is no separate retake fee. You buy a new exam authorization at $185, or use the second attempt included in the $325 Exam Bundle (BCSP At-A-Glance V.2026.04.01, as of October 2026).
Does the application fee cover the first year of renewal?
No. The $70 annual renewal fee is charged separately and prorated for the year you pass (BCSP Complete Guide and At-A-Glance V.2026.04.01, as of October 2026).
Sources
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