Virginia CPA Requirements

How to become a CPA in the state of Virgina…

How to become a CPA in Virginia?

Becoming a CPA is a serious level-up of your accounting career, but to obtain your license, you must first meet state-specific eligibility criteria. This page contains everything you need to know about Virginia’s CPA examination and licensing requirements.

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Overview of Virginia Requirements

150

Semester Units

$1,072

in Application fees

2,080

Hours of Experience

NO

Residency or 

Citizenship Requirements

YES

International Exam Program

YES

Ethics Exam

Virginia CPA requirement details:

Credit Requirements: Applicants must obtain a minimum of 120 hours of education, including 24 hours of business courses and 24 hours of above-introductory level accounting courses covering auditing, financial accounting, managerial accounting, and taxation subject matters. 

Minimum degree: Baccalaureate.

Additional Requirements: None.

Educational Requirement: Candidates must obtain at least 150 hours of education, including 24 hours in business-related courses and 24 hours in accounting above the foundation level. 

Experience Requirements: To obtain the CPA license, candidates must earn 2,080 hours of accounting experience in a public firm, government, industry, or academia under a licensed CPA’s supervision. Self-employment experience is not acceptable. 

Ethics Exam: Yes – all candidates must pass the AICPA Ethics Exam with a score of above 90%. 

Social Security Requirements: Yes

Participates in International Exam Program: Yes

Minimum Age: 18 years.

Citizenship: there is no residency requirement to become a CPA in Virginia. 

More Requirements: None.

Virginia Board of Accountancy 

9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 402

Henrico, Virginia 23233

Email: [email protected]

Phone: (804) 367-8505 

CPA examination services: (804) 367-1111 

Fax: (804) 527-4409

Initial application fee: $120

Re-examination fees: applicants must pay the Board examination fee for each exam section retaken and a re-application fee of $20. 

AUD: $238.15

FAR: $238.15

REG: $238.15

BEC: $238.15

Total: $1,072.60

All fees are non-refundable.

Virginia CPA licenses must be renewed annually from March 1 to June 30. The renewal fee is $60.

Virginia CPAs must complete 120 CPE hours over a three-year rolling period, with at least 20 hours of CPE each year. Every year, licensees must complete a two-hour ethics course and an eight-hour auditing course.

Please visit the Virginia Board of Accountancy or the Virginia Society of CPAs website for more information. 

A guide on Virginia’s CPA Exam educational requirements is here. A guide on licensing is here

Note: Please see the Code of Virginia for public accountancy laws and regulations.

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