Maine CPA Requirements

How to become a CPA in the state of Maine…

How to become a CPA in Maine?

The eligibility requirements for the CPA examination and licensing in Maine might differ from those in other states. If you want to become a CPA in Maine, read this guide to find out what educational, experience, and legal criteria you must meet to apply.

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Overview of Maine Requirements

150

Semester Units

$1,207

in Application fees

2

Years of Experience

NO

Residency or 

Citizenship Requirements

YES

International Exam Program

YES

Ethics Exam

Maine CPA requirement details:

Credit Requirements: Maine CPA Exam applicants must have 120 credit hours, including a minimum of 15 semester hours in one or more subjects listed below:

  • Financial accounting and reporting 
  • Auditing and attestation services 
  • Fraud examination 
  • Taxation 
  • Managerial or cost accounting 
  • Internal controls and risk assessment 
  • Financial statement analysis 
  • Tax research and analysis 
  • Ethics relevant to public accounting practice 

Minimum degree: Baccalaureate or higher.

Additional Requirements: None.

Educational Requirement: Maine CPA license applicants must meet the 150-credit hour educational requirement, including a minimum of 15 hours in accounting-related subjects. 

Experience Requirements: Maine CPA candidates must obtain at least two years of practical accounting experience under a licensed CPA’s supervision. The supervisor can be licensed in any U.S. state. The professional experience must include the use of auditing and accounting skills and one of the following:

  1. Provision of management advisory 
  2. Provision of financial advisory 
  3. Preparation of tax returns 
  4. Providing advice on tax matters. 

Ethics Exam: No

Social Security Requirements: Yes

Participates in International Exam Program: Yes

Minimum Age: 18 years.

Citizenship: There is no residency requirement to obtain a Maine CPA license. 

More Requirements: None.

Maine Board of Accountancy

35 State House Station

Augusta, ME 04333-0035

phone: (207) 624-8672

TTY users call Maine Relay 711

Initial application fee: $170

Registration fee: $85

Re-examination fees: to retake the exam, one must pay the registration fee and Board examination fee. 

AUD: $238.15

FAR: $238.15

REG: $238.15

BEC: $238.15

Total: $1,207.60

All fees are non-refundable.

Maine CPA licenses expire annually on September 30.

Maine CPAs must provide proof of completing 40 CPE hours every year to renew their permit of practice. There is no ethics study requirement for CPE.

For more information on becoming a CPA in Maine, visit the Maine Society of Certified Public Accountants website. 

A brief guide on the Maine CPA examination and licensing criteria can be found here

Note: Read Chapter 113: Practice of Public Accountancy of Maine Statutes for more information on the state’s accountancy-related policies.

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