How to Become a CPA in California - CPA Exam Requirements

Are you contemplating to become a CPA and areaccounting related and 24 hours to be business
currently working or living in California? In fact,related.
even if you live outside of CA, you can considerIf you are not an accounting major, you can
to sit for the exam through California because ofalways take additional courses in accredited
its uniquely favorable CPA exam requirements. Ieducational institutions (online or offline) to make
am going to provide a step-by-step explanation inup for the missing accounting and business
the following article.courses.
An Overview On How To Obtain The CPACalifornia CPA Licensing Requirement #2: CPA
License In The USExam
First of all, to become a CPA in the US, you willPlanning, studying and pass the CPA exam is
need to go through what is typically described asarguably the most difficult part in your CPA
"3Es": Education, Exam and Experience. You mayjourney. The 4 parts of the examination adds up
be interested to know that the CPA designation isto 14 hours and you have to pass all of them
granted by individual state (through its Statewithin a 18-month window. The passing score is
Board of Accountancy) rather than at the federal75 and the CPA exam pass rate is notoriously
level in the United States. In other words, eachlow at less than 50%.
state may have slightly different CPA exam andWell, before giving up, please note that there are
licensing requirements.many CPA exam review courses that can
Having said that, after the candidate is deemedconsiderably increase your chance of passing
qualified to sit for the CPA exam in the state, thesuccess -- the major course providers boast a
candidate will take the "Uniform CPA Examination"passing rate as high as 88% for first-time
which is the same throughout the US.candidates. I myself was able to pass all the parts
This CPA exam has 4 parts covering everythingon my first try.
a "qualified" accountant should know, includingAfter passing the CPA exam you will be asked to
financial accounting, auditing, business law, ethics,take an ethics exam, but this is much easier
information system and taxation.when compared to the Uniform CPA examination.
The examination is 100% computerized and isCalifornia CPA Licensing Requirement #3:
administered at various sites throughout theExperience
United States. Non-US citizens and residents canIn California, there are two routes (called
take this exam as long as they fulfill the CPApathways) that you can choose to become a
exam requirements and are willing to travel to thelicensed CPA in the state. Pathway I is for those
US to sit for the exam.who have obtained 120 semester hours and
After passing the 4 parts of the exam, thethese candidates will need to gain relevant
candidate will need to fulfill the working experienceaccounting experience for 2 years in order to get
requirement which is mandatory in almost allthe license.
states in order to get the CPA license. ThePathway II is for those who has 150 semester
working experience needs to be verified, andhours and they will only need to complete 1 year
depending on the state, supervised by an activeof relevant experience before applying for the
CPA licensee.license.
California CPA Licensing Requirement #1: EducationPlease note that for both pathways, social
The State Board of California requires candidatessecurity number is required which means that
to have at least a bachelor degree as well as 120candidates coming from countries other than the
semester hours to sit for the CPA exam. WithinUS may not get qualified in California and may
the 120 semester hours, 24 hours has to beneed to try other states.