A candidate must be able to satisfy the following requirements to hold a CPA License:
- Be CPA qualified, i.e. clear 4 exams within the required time frame of 18 months
- Obtain minimum education, i.e. 150 CPE credits
- Working experience i.e. most states require at least 2 years of experience
- Satisfy the member states and territory requirements, i.e. citizenship, residency, social security etc.
A candidate needs to obtain a license administered by of the 49 states and 6 territories (a total of 55) with each one having its own set of requirements under the following four categories:
- Citizenship
- Residency
- Social Security
- Participation in the International Programmes
Out of the 55 states and territories, only 6 of these require one to have an affirmative answer to the above-mentioned criteria. One can click on this link to obtain more information on your specific state.
Also, few states require a candidate to clear the Ethics examination post clearing the 4 mandatory papers.
Other FAQs
Q: Are international students eligible to obtain a CPA License?
A: Yes, international students are equally eligible to obtain a CPA license as US citizens.
Q: Is there any difference in exams for the US and Non-US students?
A: No, international students undergo the same process as U.S. citizens for a CPA license and qualification.
Q: What is the total cost to earn a CPA License?
A: The total cost to obtain a CPA license varies depending on the state chosen for licensing. For an Indian student, the total cost would be around Rs. 3,30,000 (incl. institute fee + CPA exam fees). The cost of licensing would be additional based on state-specific fees.
One can click here for more details on state-specific costs.
