Are you planning to take the CPA Exam in Arkansas? If so, you should familiarize yourself with the requirements for becoming a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). Below, you’ll learn the state's CPA Exam requirements, licensing requirements, and application process.
Understanding Arkansas CPA Requirements
Becoming a CPA in Arkansas requires candidates to meet the prerequisites laid out by the Arkansas State Board of Public Accountancy (ASBPA). These include meeting educational requirements, passing the CPA Exam, gaining work experience, and more. Below is a list of requirements you need to meet to become a CPA in Arkansas.
| Social Security Requirement | Yes |
| Age, Citizenship, and Residency Requirements |
|
| Good Moral Character | Yes |
| Education Requirement for Licensure | 150 hours (including a bachelor’s degree) |
| Pass the Exam | Score 75 or higher in each section |
| Work Experience | 1 year of full-time experience |
| Ethics Exam Requirements | No |
| International CPA Examination Program | Yes, is a participant |
Educational Requirements
To sit for the CPA Exam in Arkansas, candidates must complete a bachelor’s degree or higher with at least 120 semester hours. It includes
- 30 hours of upper-level accounting (or 20 hours of graduate-level accounting), covering financial accounting, management accounting, governmental or not-for-profit accounting, federal taxation, auditing & attestation, and accounting information systems.
- 30 hours of business courses other than accounting (or 20 hours at the graduate level).
- Courses must be completed with a grade of “C” or better.
The accounting or business component may include 3 semester hours earned from an accounting internship and 3 from independent study.
To obtain CPA licensure in Arkansas, candidates must complete 150 semester hours. You must meet the education requirement within 3 years of passing your final CPA Exam section.
Work Experience Requirements
To earn a CPA license in Arkansas, 1 year of full-time experience is required. Your experience can include any service or advice in accounting, attest, management advisory, financial advisory, tax, or consulting skills. You can obtain experience through government, academia, industry, or public practice fields.
Arkansas CPA Exam & Licensing: Cost and Fees
CPA candidates from Arkansas must pay an initial application fee of $50, as well as an exam application fee. These non-refundable fees are paid to the Arkansas State Board of Public Accountancy. The fee for each section is $254.80.
| Arkansas CPA Exam Fees | |
|---|---|
| Initial Application Fee | $50 |
| Exam Application Fee | $75 |
| Auditing and Attestation (AUD) | $262.64 |
| Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR) | $262.64 |
| Regulation (REG) | $262.64 |
| ISC/BAR/TCP | $262.64 |
| Total Exam Section Fees (4 sections) | $1,175.56 |
Pass the 3 core sections, AUD, FAR, and REG, and 1 discipline section: Information Systems and Controls (ISC), Business Analysis and Reporting (BAR), or Tax Compliance and Planning (TCP).
After passing the CPA Exam in Arkansas, you have 3 years to obtain licensure in the state. To qualify for licensure, you must pass the CPA Exam and complete at least 1 year of full-time work experience as listed above.
Upon satisfying these requirements, log in to the state board's online license application to submit your application. There is a non-refundable application fee of $50, followed by an ASBPA and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) background check fee of $35, and $110 for the annual registration of your CPA license. The registration fee is refunded if your application doesn't meet the requirements.
| Arkansas CPA Licensing Fees | |
|---|---|
| Application fee (non-refundable) | $50 |
| Annual registration fee | $110 |
| ASBPA and FBI background check (non-refundable) | $35 |
| Total | $195 |
License Renewal Requirements
CPA license holders in Arkansas are required to renew their licenses annually, with a fee of $110. CPA licenses expire Dec. 31 of each year and may be renewed by licensees in good standing with the board. Your license will be renewed if you meet the Continuing Professional Education (CPE) requirements for the year and submit them with your application. You may need to pay a monthly penalty for the late renewal of your license, as determined by the board.
Continuing Education Requirements
To fulfill Arkansas CPE requirements, licensees candidates must complete 40 hours of continuing education in the 12 months preceding their license expiration date or 120 hours in the 36 months preceding their license expiration date. You must also complete 4 hours of ethics CPE within each 36-month period, including 1 hour on Arkansas laws and Board rules. Initial license holders are subject to prorated CPE requirements based on their date of licensure. Visit the Arkansas State Board of Public Accountancy website for additional requirements.
Arkansas CPA Exam: Exam Dates, Score Release, and Scheduling
Candidates can apply for the Arkansas CPA Exam after fulfilling the state exam requirements. However, before applying, it's essential to know a few key details, including the exam, score release date, and application process. We’ve provided a simple overview of these details to ease the process.
Exam Dates and Score Release
The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA®) periodically updates the target CPA Exam and score release dates on its website. Candidates should review the most current timelines before scheduling, as exam availability and score releases follow structured administration periods.
Scheduling the CPA Examination
Each state has a slightly different application process. Here's a quick guide to applying for and scheduling the Arkansas CPA Exam.
Arkansas CPA candidates can submit their CPA Exam applications via the state board’s application service. You must enter all required information and have your university send your transcripts directly to the state board. The initial application fee is $50, paid to the Arkansas State Board of Public Accountancy.
As a participant in the International CPA Examination Program, international candidates or those who’ve completed their education outside the United States can apply for the Arkansas CPA Exam.
Upon determination of your eligibility to take the CPA Exam, the state board will send an Authorization to Test (ATT) to the National Candidate Database (NCD) at NASBA. Eligible candidates will be billed for the exam section they applied for.
Your Notice to Schedule (NTS) will be issued via email from NASBA after your application has been approved. Allow up to 4 weeks for processing after all required documentation has been received. You will be contacted by email if additional documents are needed. The NTS is valid for 6 months from the date of issue and must be presented at the testing center on exam day.
The CPA Exam schedule has been made easy by Prometric. Candidates can schedule their exams based on their preferred date and location. You can check for the nearest center to your home before scheduling the exam.
To pass the CPA Exam, you need to score 75 or higher on each section. Make sure you have a study plan and the right prep materials that work for you.
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