| License Description |
CPAs analyze business records and financial reports. They audit profit and loss statements, balance sheets, cost studies, and prepare tax reports. Accountants may also develop, install, and supervise accounting systems and operations. There are three major fields of accounting employment: Public Accounting whereby CPAs have their own firm or work for accounting firms; Private Industry whereby CPAs handle the financial records of the companies for whom they work; and CPAs who are employed by the government.
The requirements for Licensure are as follows:
1) Must pass all parts of the CPA examination.
2) Must provide fingerprints and authorize the Board to conduct a criminal background check for verification.
3) Must complete 150 semester credit hours of education.
4) Must have 1 year of experience verified by a CPA.
Education Requirements to sit for the CPA Examination:
An applicant will be deemed to have met the education requirement if the applicant earned a graduate or an undergraduate degree from a college or university that meets the criteria for accreditation and has completed sufficient hours to meet the accounting and business components. The accounting component must include at least 30 semester credit hours (SCH) of undergraduate accounting courses above the principles level or 20 SCH of graduate-level accounting courses, or a combination thereof. The accounting component must include coverage of financial accounting, management accounting, governmental and not-for-profit accounting, federal taxation, auditing and attestation, and accounting information systems. The applicant must earn a grade of "C" or better in each course included in the accounting component. The business component of the applicant's educational program must include at least 30 SCH of undergraduate courses in business, other than accounting, or 20 SCH of graduate business courses, other than accounting, or a combination thereof. The applicant must earn a grade of "C" or better in each course included in the business component.
Internship credit: The accounting or business component (but not both) may include a maximum of 3 SCH earned for an accounting internship. Internship credit may not be used to fulfill the subject matter requirements.
Independent study: The accounting or business component (but not both) may include a maximum of 3 SCH earned for an independent study. When appropriately documented by the institution, these hours may be used to fulfill part of the subject matter requirements.
CPA Examination Fees:
Initial (first-time) Application Fee: $50.00,
Section Fees - 4 Exams: $120.00,
Section Fees - 3 Exams: $105.00,
Section Fees - 2 Exams: $90.00,
Section Fees - 1 Exam: $75.00.
A fee of $238.15 per section is also collected by the Board and passed on to NASBA, Prometric, and the AICPA. This fee will increase to $254.80 beginning January 1, 2024. Once eligibility to take the exam is determined, the Board will send an Authorization to Test to the National Candidate Database at NASBA. NASBA will then issue a Notice to Schedule (NTS). An eligible candidate has 6 months from the date of the NTS to schedule and take the approved examination sections. Utilizing the NTS, candidates are required to contact Prometric for site locations and test times. The Accountancy Board does not control space availability or locale of the testing centers.
Other Fees:
CPA License Application Fee: $50.00,
Reciprocal License Application Fee: $50.00,
CPA Firm Registration Application Fee: $110.00,
Annual Registration Fee - License to Practice: $110.00,
Annual Registration Fee – Firm Registration: $110.00,
Annual Registration Fee – Inactive License: $55.00.
Visit the ASBPA Web site for additional fees. |