Alabama CPA Requirements
Exam and License Requirements to Become a CPA

Alabama CPA Requirements

See what you need to become a CPA in Alabama.
Interested in learning about the Alabama Certified Public Accountant (CPA) certification process? You’re in the right spot. Welcome to your one-stop shop for a comprehensive overview of Alabama CPA requirements, including education and residency requirements, licensure details, who to contact, and how much the exam costs.
150
Semester Units
1
Year of Experience
$952.60
In Application Fees
Yes
Residency or Citizenship
Requirements
No
Mandatory State Ethics Exam
No
Participates​ in International
Exam Program
150
Semester Units
1
Year of Experience
$952.60
In Application Fees
Yes
Residency or Citizenship
Requirements
No
Mandatory State Ethics Exam
No
Participates​ in International
Exam Program

Alabama CPA License Requirements

Steps for taking the CPA Exam and obtaining a license vary from state to state. In order to get a CPA license in Alabama, candidates must meet specific educational and professional experience requirements. There are a few things to remember when preparing for the Alabama CPA Exam and obtaining your license.

Social Security Requirements Yes
Age, Citizenship, and Residency Requirements
  • Minimum of 19 years old
  • U.S. citizenship is required
  • No need to be a resident of Alabama
Good Moral Character Yes
Education Requirement for Licensure 150 hours (including B.A.)
Pass the CPA Exam Need to score 75 in each section to pass
Work Experience 1 year of experience in accounting or 2 years of experience in business, government, or college teaching
Ethics Exam Requirements None
International CPA Examination Program No
Social Security Number Requirement

In Alabama, you must have a social security number to sit for the CPA Exam.

Age, Citizenship, and Residency Requirements

You must be at least 19 years old and have U.S. citizenship to sit for the CPA Exam. However, there is no residency requirement to take the CPA Exam in Alabama.

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Alabama CPA Exam Requirements - Educational and Credit Hours

CPA candidates in Alabama must possess a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university and satisfy CPA education requirements. These requirements include:

  • 120 semester hours
  • 24 semester hours of upper-division accounting (300 level or higher), undergraduate and/or graduate level
  • 24 semester hours of study in subjects relevant to business
  • However, you will need to complete 150 semester hours to obtain the CPA license.
Pass the Exam

The minimum score you need to pass each section of the CPA Exam is 75. Since the exam is given throughout the year, you can choose when to take it. The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) website makes it easy to determine when the scores will be released. Ensure you have passed all four exam sections before applying for a license.

Work Experience Requirements
  • One year of full-time work as a staff accountant for a public accounting firm under the supervision of a CPA or PA with a valid license to practice
  • Or two years of full-time work in accounting that was adequately supervised and had enough quality and depth in industry, business, the government, or a college setting
CPA Ethical Exam Requirements

There is no need to take an ethics exam in order to obtain a CPA license in Alabama. However, keep an eye on the Alabama State Board of Public Accountancy (ASBPA) website to be aware of potential requirement changes.

International CPA Examination Program

The International CPA Examination Administration Program from the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) is for candidates from other countries. Non-U.S. candidates who want to take the Uniform CPA Exam and get a CPA license must apply through a participating jurisdiction. Unfortunately, Alabama does not participate in the International CPA Exam Program.

Alabama CPA Licensing Cost and Fees

The CPA license application for Alabama costs around $100. Applications can be found on the ASBPA website. Also, there is a delinquent penalty of $30 in the case of late filing after December 31st.

Alabama CPA License Renewal Requirements

The annual renewal period for CPA licenses in Alabama is from October 1 to September 30. You must also report your continuing professional education requirement (CPE) from October 1-September 30 (annually).

Alabama CPA Continuing Education Requirements

To become a CPA, one must pass the CPA Exam and fulfill the continuing professional education (CPE) requirements yearly. A CPA is only considered "active" when they successfully complete the annual 40 hours of CPE in the year beginning October 1 following the issuance of their initial license.

Required Accounting and Auditing Continuing Professional Education Minimums:

  • 2 hours of approved Ethics CPE
  • 12 hours of Behavioral CPE
  • 10 hours via the Nano Learning delivery method

Alabama CPA Exam Dates and Score Release Dates

Initially, there were four testing windows available each year for the CPA Exam. Beginning July 1, 2020, candidates can take the CPA Exam at any time of year.

Exam and Score Release Dates: July 1 – December 31, 2022

Took exam on/before Target score release date
July 23 August 9
August 15 August 23
September 7 September 15
October 1 October 11
October 23 November 8
November 15 November 23
December 8 December 16
January 1 January 10

Exam and Score Release Dates: January 1 – June 30, 2023

Took exam on/before Target score release date
January 23 February 7
February 14 February 22
March 9 March 17
March 31 April 11
April 23 May 9
May 16 May 24
June 8 June 16
June 30 July 11

How to Apply and Schedule for the CPA Exam in Alabama?

1. Submit CPA Exam Application and Fees

Candidates for the Alabama CPA Exam apply through ASBPA and may apply for one or multiple parts of the exam at once (and in any order). Once ASBPA receives your college transcripts, your application will be approved, and you will be able to pay the applicable exam section fees.

2. Obtain Authorization to Test (ATT)

If you have met all the CPA Exam requirements, ASBPA will send an Authorization to Test (ATT) to the National Candidate Database. ATT is important to issue your Notice to Schedule (NTS).

3. Receive Your Notice to Schedule (NTS)

After submitting an application for the U.S. CPA Exam, you will receive a NTS within three to six weeks. Only those with a NTS may sit for the Uniform CPA Examination. When scheduling the CPA Exam through the Prometric website, you will need your NTS.

4. Schedule Your Exam With Prometric

To schedule your CPA Exam, please visit the Prometric website. You'll need the name of the testing center you've registered with and your NTS number. You can easily locate the nearest Prometric center with a quick internet search.

5. Pass the CPA Exam

The passing score for each section of the CPA Exam is 75. It’s important to remember that all four sections of the CPA Exam must be passed within an 18-month window.

Alabama CPA Exam Costs and Fees

You do not need to pay any initial application fee or transfer of credit fee. Also, there is no provision for withdrawing from the examination. All fees are non-refundable.

Audit (AUD) $238.15
Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR) $238.15
Regulation (REG) $238.15
Business Environment and Concepts (BEC) $238.15
Total: 952.60
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Learn your CPA State Requirements!

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Learn your CPA State Requirements!

Fill out this form to get your free guide sent directly to your email address.