How to omit records based on a status code

I am trying to select records based on a status 'N' or 'A' by a certain date as long as by the chosen date there is not another status given to the same course like 'D' or 'X'.

Here are some sample data...

CREATE TABLE #TEST
(ID VARCHAR(7),
COURSE VARCHAR(10),
CURRENT_STATUS VARCHAR(1),
STATUS_DATE DATETIME)

INSERT INTO #TEST
(ID, COURSE, CURRENT_STATUS, STATUS_DATE)
VALUES
('0020541','AAAA-1000H', 'X', '2013-08-27 00:00:00.000'),
('0020541','AAAA-1000H', 'N', '2013-08-26 00:00:00.000'),
('0020541','BBBB-2000H', 'D', '2013-11-04 00:00:00.000'),
('0020541','BBBB-2000H', 'N', '2013-08-27 00:00:00.000'),
('0020541','CCCC-3000H', 'D', '2013-09-11 00:00:00.000'),
('0020541','CCCC-3000H', 'N', '2013-08-26 00:00:00.000'),
('0020541','DDDD-4000H', 'A', '2013-08-25 00:00:00.000'),
('0020541','EEEE-5000H', 'N', '2013-08-26 00:00:00.000')

SELECT * FROM #TEST

DROP TABLE #TEST

If the query is to determine how many records with a status of N or A up to and incl August 26, 2013, I should see 4 records... AAAA-1000H, CCCC-3000H, DDDD-4000H, EEEE-5000H

If the query is to determine how many records with a status of N or A up to and incl October 1, 2013, I should see 3 records... BBBB-2000H,  DDDD-4000H, EEEE-5000H

...and so on.

Any help is appreciated.