Pennsylvania CPA Requirements

How to become a CPA in the state of Pennsylvania…

How to become a CPA in Pennsylvania?

Wondering about obtaining a CPA license in Pennsylvania? First, you must meet certain eligibility criteria and pass the Uniform CPA Exam with a score of at least 75 per section. On this page, you’ll find all the information you need on becoming a CPA.

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Overview of Pennsylvania Requirements

150

Semester Units

$938.60

in Application fees

1,600

Hours of Experience

NO

Residency or 

Citizenship Requirements

YES

International Exam Program

NO

Ethics Exam

Pennsylvania CPA requirement details:

Credit Requirements: Applicants must earn 120 credits from a university or college approved by the Board, including 24 semester credits in accounting courses. 

Minimum degree: Baccalaureate.

Additional Requirements: None.

Educational Requirement: Applicants must earn 150 credits from an accredited four-year educational institution, including 24 hours in accounting-related subjects. 

Experience Requirements: Candidates must obtain 1,600 hours of full-time or part-time accounting experience through employment in academia, government, industry, or public practice. The experience must be earned within five years preceding the application date. 

Ethics Exam: No

Social Security Requirements: Yes

Participates in International Exam Program: Yes

 

Minimum Age: 18 years.

Citizenship: There is no residency or citizenship requirement to sit for the CPA Exam or obtain a license. 

More Requirements: None.

Pennsylvania State Board of Accountancy

P.O. Box 2649, Harrisburg, PA 17105-2649

Toll-Free: 1-833-DOS-BPOA

Phone: (717) 783-1404

Fax: (717) 705-5540

[email protected]

Initial application fee: $105

Re-examination fees: applicants must pay the application fee and board fees for every exam section retaken. 

AUD: $208.40

FAR: $208.40

REG: $208.40

BEC: $208.40

Total: $938.60

All fees are non-refundable.

Licensees must renew their permits to practice on a biennial basis by the end of each odd-numbered calendar year. The renewal costs $100.

Pennsylvania licensees must take 80 CPE hours within a two-year reporting period, including four hours in ethics, 24 hours in accounting and auditing, and 52 hours in professional development. Licensees not participating in attest services may take 76 CPE hours in professional development. A minimum of 20 hours must be completed each year.

Please see the Pennsylvania State Board of Accountancy or the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants page for more information on becoming a CPA and maintaining your license. 

A quick guide on Pennsylvania’s CPA examination and licensing processes is here

Note: Please refer to the state’s public accountancy regulations for a better understanding of licensing process and rules.

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