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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Semester Units
in Application fees
Hours of Experience
Residency or
Citizenship Requirements
International Exam Program
Ethics Exam
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.