Illinois CPA Requirements
Exam and License Requirements To Become a CPA
Semester Units
Requirements
Exam Program
Semester Units
Year of Experience
Requirements
Exam Program
Illinois CPA Requirements
The Illinois Board of Examiners (ILBOE) maintains the standards of the Uniform CPA Exam by verifying candidates' academic credentials, granting them permission to take the exam, and issuing certificates of CPA Exam Completion.
| Social Security Requirements | No |
| Age, Citizenship, and Residency Requirements |
|
| Good Moral Character | Yes |
| Education Requirements for Licensure | 150 hours (including B.A.) |
| Pass the Exam | Need to score 75 in each section to pass |
| Work Experience | 1 year of working experience in accounting |
| Ethics Exam Requirements | Yes |
| International CPA Examination Program | Yes |
The necessity of a Social Security number is not in effect in the state of Illinois. However, the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) license application procedure is easier to complete if you have a Social Security number.
- U.S. citizenship is not required to appear for the CPA Exam or to obtain a CPA license.
- There is no age requirement to obtain a CPA license in Illinois.
- There is no need to be a resident, employee, or to keep an office(s) in the state.
- A graduate degree or higher in accounting or business from a board-recognized institution with either or both Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) and Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) accreditation.
- Candidates must complete 120 semester hours of education to sit for the CPA Exam, with 24 semester hours dedicated to accounting (including taxation and audit) and 12 semester hours of business-related courses.
- However, you can also apply for the CPA Exam by fulfilling the 150 semester-hour requirement through a baccalaureate or higher education.
- In this case, you must complete 30 semester hours in accounting and 24 semester hours in business-related courses.
The most critical requirement for your CPA designation is passing the CPA Examination. It has four sections: Auditing and Attestation (AUD), Business Environment and Concepts (BEC), Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR), and Regulation (REG). A score of at least 75 is required in each section to pass the exam. In addition, you must pass all four sections within an 18-month period.
You need to have work experience in accounting for a year. It can be in either the public or private sector. Experience does not need to be obtained under the supervision of a certified public accountant. It can be gained through work in any sector of the economy, such as government, industry, universities, or public practice.
The last stage of obtaining your CPA license is passing the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) ethics examination. It is an 11-hour self-study course that is easily available on the AICPA website. You will get a CD-ROM that contains multiple-choice questions for study and review. The passing score for the ethics exam is 90.
Illinois is an active member of the International CPA Program that is solely developed to allow non-U.S. candidates to sit for the CPA Exam. This program is sponsored by the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA).
Illinois CPA Exam & Licensing - Cost and Fees
The initial application fee for the CPA Exam in Illinois is $120. Each section of the CPA Exam also has a fee of $238.15.
| Illinois CPA Exam Fees | ||
|---|---|---|
| Initial Application Fee | $120.00 | |
| Auditing and Attestation (AUD) | $238.15 | |
| Business Environment and Concepts (BEC) | $238.15 | |
| Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR) | $238.15 | |
| Regulation (REG) | $238.15 | |
| Total | $1,1072.60 | |
Illinois is a two-tier state. Naturally, the licensing process varies a little in other states. Once you are done with the ethics exam, the AICPA will send your score to ILBOE. Within 3 days of receiving your ethics exam score, you will get an email with an official certification letter.
The certification letter contains your certificate number. With the certificate number, you can apply for a license through IDFPR. Candidates with both international and domestic credits must submit applications, fees, and supporting materials to both NASBA and ILBOE. The application fee to become a certified public accountant is $120.
Illinois CPA License Renewal Requirements
Individual CPA licenses expire on September 30 every 3 years. A license can be renewed up to two months before its expiration date. The renewal fee is $40 per year.
Illinois CPA Continuing Education Requirements
A licensed CPA must complete 120 hours of Continuing Professional Education (CPE) every 3-year renewal period. These 120 hours have to include at least 4 hours of a professional ethics course. There is a CPE requirement exemption for all the CPA licenses for the first renewal following the actual issuance of the license. Licensees must preserve CPE data for a minimum of six years.
Illinois CPA Exam: Exam Dates, Score Release and Scheduling
Illinois CPA candidates can apply for the exam year-round based on their preferences. The AICPA releases the CPA Exam score release dates every two years. We suggest that you refer to these dates when scheduling your exams so that you can plan accordingly. Here is a brief, step-by-step guide to the application process.
Submit CPA Exam Application
The first step is to determine if you are eligible to appear for the exam. If you meet the educational and other requirements, open an online account on ILBOE. After that, apply for a credential evaluation application. Make sure your transcripts are sent directly to NASBA. You will receive a confirmation letter stating that you are eligible to sit for the CPA Exam. Now, you can submit your CPA application through your NASBA account.
Obtain Authorization to Test (ATT)
After ILBOE has given approval to your original application, they will send NASBA an Authorization to Test (ATT). This will notify NASBA of your intent to sit for the CPA Exam.
Receive Your Notice to Schedule (NTS)
A "Notice to Schedule” (NTS) is a crucial document to schedule your CPA Exam. It is delivered within three to six weeks of applying for the CPA Exam.
Schedule Your Exam With Prometric
The CPA Exam can be scheduled through the Prometric website. To schedule your CPA Exam, you will need your NTS, as it contains your NTS number.
Pass the CPA Exam
As previously stated, you must achieve a score of 75 on each section of the CPA Exam to pass. The AICPA discloses the anticipated score release date so that you can estimate when you will receive your results. Passing the CPA Exam is the most important step for obtaining a CPA license in Illinois.