Customs Broker Exam Results: What to Know in 2026
The CBP customs broker license exam results are one of the most closely watched events in U.S. trade compliance. As of September 6, 2026, the most recently graded sitting — the October 2025 exam — has produced a new cohort of licensed brokers, and the pass rate continues to reflect just how rigorous this credential is. Whether you sat for the exam, employ someone who did, or import goods and rely on licensed broker services, here is everything you need to know about what the results mean and what happens next.
What Happened
Definition Block — Customs Broker License Exam: The CBP customs broker license exam is a 4.5-hour, 80-question closed-book test administered once a year (historically each October) under authority granted by 19 USC 1641 and governed by 19 CFR Part 111. Passing requires a score of 75 or higher. It is one of the most difficult professional licensing exams in U.S. trade law.
CBP administers the exam through its Office of Trade and releases results on CBP.gov within 60 to 90 days of the exam date. The October 2025 sitting followed the standard format: 80 multiple-choice questions drawn from the Harmonized Tariff Schedule, CBP regulations, trade statutes, and customs entry procedures.
Historically, the pass rate for this exam has hovered between 3.5% and 25% depending on the year, with most recent sittings landing in the 10–18% range. The October 2024 exam recorded a pass rate of approximately 15%, meaning roughly 1 in 7 test-takers earned a qualifying score. The October 2025 results reflect a similar difficulty tier.
Candidates who passed are now eligible to apply for an individual customs broker license. Those who did not pass may retake the exam at the next sitting. There is no limit on retakes, though each attempt requires a separate registration fee and preparation cycle.
CBP posts official results — including passing candidate names, scores, and district assignments — at CBP.gov. The NCBFAA also compiles post-result guidance and connects newly licensed brokers with professional resources.
Why It Matters to Importers
Every new licensed broker who enters the market adds capacity to a profession that directly controls how quickly and accurately your shipments clear U.S. Customs. When exam pass rates are low, the licensed broker workforce grows slowly — and importers in underserved regions or specialty verticals feel it.
Here is why the exam results cycle affects your supply chain:
- Staffing at broker firms: Large customs brokerage firms often sponsor employees to sit for the exam. When internal candidates pass, firms can expand their licensed headcount without external hiring, improving service capacity.
- New broker market entrants: Independent brokers who pass often launch their own practices within 6–12 months of licensure. This adds competition and expands options for importers.
- Specialty coverage gaps: Brokers who specialize in pharmaceuticals, food, automotive, or chemicals are in shorter supply. New licensed brokers who enter niche verticals help fill those gaps.
- License application backlog: CBP has 120 days under 19 USC 1641 to act on a license application after a candidate passes. This means newly qualified brokers may not be actively licensed and practicing until mid-to-late 2026.
If your import operation depends on a specific broker firm, the results of this exam cycle may affect their internal staffing, response times, and capacity to take on new clients.
Affected Parties, Industries, and Trade Lanes
The exam results ripple across different segments of the trade community in different ways.
| Affected Party | What Changes | Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Exam candidates who passed | Eligible to apply for CBP license (Form 3124) | High — direct career impact |
| Exam candidates who did not pass | Must wait for next exam cycle to retake | High — delayed entry to profession |
| Customs broker firms | Potential headcount expansion from internal exam takers | Medium — depends on internal program size |
| Small importers in underserved ports | New brokers may fill regional coverage gaps over 6–12 months | Medium — indirect, lagged effect |
| Specialty importers (pharma, food, auto) | New niche brokers may enter market after licensure | Low–Medium — specialty build-out takes time |
| Freight forwarders | Staff who passed can now offer brokerage services legally | Medium — compliance and service scope expansion |
Trade lanes most affected by broker availability are those with fewer licensed professionals per import volume — including smaller land border ports, inland rail ports, and airports outside major metropolitan areas. You can browse brokers by U.S. port of entry to assess coverage in your specific region.
What Importers and Exam Candidates Should Do Now
If You Passed the Exam
- Submit CBP Form 3124 — File your Application for a Customs Broker License with the port director in your district. The form is available at CBP.gov. Include proof of citizenship and your exam result notification.
- Pay the $200 application fee — Required at the time of filing under 19 CFR 111.12.
- Complete the fingerprint and background check requirement — CBP conducts a background investigation before issuing any license. Delays here are common; submit promptly.
- Do not practice brokerage before your license is active — Operating as an unlicensed broker violates 19 USC 1641 and can result in civil penalties and permanent disqualification.
- Register with CBP’s ACE Portal — Once licensed, you will need an ACE Secure Data Portal account to file entries electronically. Begin that registration process early.
- Contact NCBFAA for professional onboarding resources — The National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America offers guidance for newly licensed brokers, including compliance training and networking.
If You Did Not Pass
- Request your score — CBP provides scores to all candidates. Knowing your score helps you diagnose which subject areas — tariff classification, entry procedures, penalties — require more preparation.
- Review the exam answer key — CBP publishes the answer key for each exam. Cross-reference it against your responses.
- Begin studying for the next October sitting — Registration typically opens in summer. Use the current Harmonized Tariff Schedule at hts.usitc.gov and the CBP regulations in 19 CFR as your primary study materials.
- Consider a prep course — Several accredited programs offer structured preparation. NCBFAA and licensed broker associations maintain referral lists.
Background: How the Customs Broker Licensing System Works
The U.S. customs broker licensing system is one of the most tightly regulated professional credential programs in federal law. Under 19 USC 1641, no person or entity may conduct customs business on behalf of another without a CBP-issued license. “Customs business” includes preparing and filing entry documents, calculating duties, and communicating with CBP on an importer’s behalf.
Two types of licenses exist:
- Individual license — Issued to a natural person who passes the exam and clears the background check. This person can then work as a licensed broker anywhere in the U.S. under 19 CFR 111.
- Broker’s permit — After obtaining an individual license, brokers must also obtain district permits to actively transact business in specific CBP districts.
The exam has been administered annually since 1984. CBP periodically updates the question pool to reflect changes in trade law, new tariff chapters, and revised CBP regulations. The October 2025 exam incorporated questions reflecting the tariff modifications enacted through 2024 and 2025 trade actions.
Importers who want to understand the full scope of what a licensed broker does on their behalf can read 10 Core Duties of a Customs Broker Explained and 10 Key Customs Broker Responsibilities Explained.
If you are an importer currently looking for a licensed professional — whether a veteran broker or a newly licensed one building a client base — search all CBP-licensed customs brokers on CustomsBrokerIndex.com, or browse brokers by state to find options near you. For freight operations that combine warehousing with clearance services, see 3PL With Customs Clearance and Warehousing Explained.
Binding tariff classification rulings — an important tool for both new and experienced brokers — are searchable at rulings.cbp.gov. For antidumping and countervailing duty questions that often appear on the exam and affect real entries, see enforcement.trade.gov/adcvd.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the customs broker exam results and where are they published?
CBP publishes the official customs broker license exam results on its website at CBP.gov after each sitting. Results include a list of passing candidates by name and district. As of September 2026, the most recently scored exam was the October 2025 sitting, administered under 19 CFR Part 111.
When are the October 2025 customs broker exam results effective?
CBP typically releases results within 60–90 days of the exam date. The October 2025 exam results were published in early 2026. Candidates who passed must then submit a license application to their local CBP port director within the designated filing window.
Who is affected by the customs broker exam results?
Anyone who sat for the October 2025 CBP license exam is directly affected. This includes individuals seeking their first individual license, freight forwarders expanding into brokerage, and trade professionals pursuing compliance roles. Importers benefit indirectly — more licensed brokers means more qualified professionals available.
What should I do if I passed the customs broker exam?
If you passed, submit CBP Form 3124 (Application for a Customs Broker License) to your local port director, pay the $200 application fee, and provide fingerprints for a background check. CBP has 120 days to act on your application under 19 USC 1641. Do not begin brokerage activities until you hold an active license.
Where can I find official customs broker exam results and compliance guidance?
Official results are posted at CBP.gov. For regulatory requirements, see 19 CFR Part 111. The National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America (NCBFAA) at ncbfaa.org also publishes exam guidance, prep resources, and post-result application walkthroughs.