CPA Exam Requirements by State

Studying with a CPA Course statistically improves your chances of passing the CPA Exam. One of the most unexpected expenses of the CPA Exam process is having to retake an exam part and incur the CPA Exam retake fee. This is why selecting the right CPA Exam Review can be so important.

Why the Need for Fee Increases?

The total cost of taking the CPA exam varies based on factors such as your state or jurisdiction, the number of sections you take, and additional expenses like preparation courses. The roles and responsibilities that qualify as acceptable experience also vary by state, but may include staff accounting-related positions, teaching roles and even internships. Eligible experience typically must be supervised by a licensed CPA. After you receive your ATT, you will be able to choose which sections you want to take and pay the applicable fees. The cost for each CPA exam section varies by state, but most states charge $193.45 per section. Congratulations are in order for our Californian CPA candidate!

Costs to Become a CPA

Since each state enforces distinct CPA requirements, earning the CPA license from certain states might be easier for you than from others. You are allowed to pursue a CPA license in any state, even if you don’t live there. This guide will walk you through every single CPA requirement (and CPA Exam requirement). So, keep reading to learn all about the CPA license requirements. After a member of the Texas Department of Public Safety reviews and verifies all necessary steps are complete, you will be registered as a CPA and assigned a CPA identification number. In addition, the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy will send you a wall certificate.

CPA requirements

• At the top level, you gain features and bonuses like an integrated test bank with an extra 1,000 MCQs, additional audio lectures, additional customer support, and a certificate of completion.
• The fees vary depending on if you are a US resident and a CA resident.
• Thus, they have to pay to retake each section that they fail again.
• The credential’s long-term financial benefits—higher salaries, job security, and career mobility—often outweigh the initial costs for those committed to the field.
• If you worked 3,000 or more hours in a public form, you need 80 CPE hours, and the requirement goes down from there.
• They supervise the financial activities and make decisions that impact the organization’s financial health.

Before you apply, you need to know when the test and scores will be released. The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) releases the CPA how much is a cpa license Exam score release dates, with scores available within 48 hours of the scheduled release date. A future CPA in Minnesota who passes all four sections on the first try can expect to spend about $1,500. It’s recommended that you sign up for as many sections as you feel comfortable taking in a six-month period. Review courseOne of the wisest investments you can make on your path to becoming a CPA is to choose a review course that works for you. Fees depend on provider and course type; self-study courses average $2,000 and live courses average $4,000.

• Studying with a CPA Course statistically improves your chances of passing the CPA Exam.
• If you sign up for all four sections, you will have to schedule all four exams in the next 6 months or your NTS will expire.
• If you are an international candidate, you might want to contact the state board directly for instructions.
• Almost all of the state boards want candidates to have 120 credit hours of education, the equivalent of a bachelor’s degree before they will let you sit for the CPA Exam.
• However, becoming a CPA in California is extremely doable and you’ll be happy that you did.
• The short answer, though frustrating, is that CPA exam costs and fees vary from state to state.

Beyond salary, the CPA credential opens doors to leadership roles. Many senior positions, such as controller, CFO, or partner in an accounting firm, either require or strongly prefer a CPA license. The credential signals expertise and credibility, unearned revenue making CPAs trusted advisors for complex financial matters like tax planning, auditing, and forensic accounting. If you’re an accounting major, you can combine your undergraduate accounting degree with a master’s degree at the same school or at a different one.

• CPAs require licensure and can perform specialized roles, which may earn them higher wages and more career opportunities.
• This article will help you to become a CPA in California and is a requirement for you to take the California CPA exam.
• After CPA licensing, most states require CPAs to complete continuing professional education (CPE) credit hours to maintain licensure.
• You must take a minimum of 20 hours a year, and at least two of those yearly hours must pertain to Virginia ethics.
• When you make the payment of the examination fee detailed in point 3 above, you also need to pay a registration fee.
• AICPA reported that the first two quarter pass rates in 2025 averaged about 42-62% for the three core sections, highlighting the difficulty of the CPA exam.

One NTS will be sent to you listing the section(s) of the exam that you are approved to take. You may now contact Prometric, the CPA Exam testing organization, to begin the scheduling process. The double declining balance depreciation method CPA Exam is the national standard test everyone must pass to obtain a CPA license. Auditing and Attestation (AUD), Business Environment and Concepts (BEC), Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR), and Regulation (REG).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About CPAs

Even a master’s degree in accounting doesn’t adequately prepare you to just walk in and pass the 4 CPA exams. There are fees to apply for the exam, and then a fee to take each of the 4 sections. The fees to take each section of the exam also vary by state, but are roughly $200 per section, or $800 for all 4 sections. The different states charge varying levels of CPA licensing fees. The yearly amount that you can expect to pay would range from $50 to $500. It’s essential to pay these charges as a CPA license authorizes you to practice as a CPA and carry out activities like signing tax returns and audit reports.