Illinois CPA Requirements
How to Become a CPA in Illinois
Curious how to become a CPA in Illinois? You’re in the right spot. Welcome to your one-stop-shop for CPA Requirements in Illinois. Navigate through the tabs below for a comprehensive overview of your state’s specific CPA requirements, including: education and residency requirements, licensure details, who to contact, and how much the exam costs.
150
Semester Units
1
$1,020
in Application Fees
No
Requirements
One
Yes
Exam Program
Getting your Illinois CPA
CPA Exam Requirements
Education Requirements
Credit Requirements: 150 semester units (225 quarter units) with Baccalaureate are required in the Illinois requirements to take the CPA exam
Minimum Degree: Baccalaureate degree
Additional Requirements: For a a graduate degree in accounting, no specific classes are required as long as there are 150 semester units. For a graduate degree in business, out of the 150 semester units you must have 30 semester credit hours in accounting including Managerial Accounting, Taxation, Financial Accounting, Audit, and at least two semester credit hours of Research & Analysis (as of 1/1/2019, Research and Analysis will not be required).
For an undergraduate degree (regardless of major), you must have 150 total semester units and 30 of them must be made up of the accounting classes including those stated above. In addition, you must have 24 semester credit hours in business including two semester credit hours of Business Communication and three of Business Ethics
Residency Requirements
Citizenship: U.S. Citizenship is not an Illinois CPA exam requirement
Minimum Age: None
Additional Requirements: There are no Illinois CPA exam requirements to be a resident, employee, or keep office(s) in the state
State License Requirements
Social Security Requirement: No
Educational Requirement: 150 Semester hours including Bachelor’s Degree
Participates in International Exam Program: Yes
Experience Requirements: 1 year of public or non-public accounting experience after passing the exam. Experience may be gained through employment in government, industry, academia, or public practice, and is not required to be acquired under the supervision of a licensed CPA.
Ethics Exam: Must pass AICPA Ethics Exam
State Board Contacts
Illinois Board of Examiners
100 Trade Centre Drive – Suite 403
Champaign, IL 61820-7123
Email: help@ilboa.org
Phone: 217-531-0950
Fax: 217-531-0960
CPA Fees
| Initial Application Fees | $120.00 |
| AUD | $224.99 |
| BEC | $224.99 |
| FAR | $224.99 |
| REG | $224.99 |
| Total | $1019.96 |
*Re-examination application fee varies