California CPA Requirements
How to Become a CPA in California
Welcome to your one-stop-shop for CPA Requirements in California. 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.
No
Requirements
One
State Ethics Exam
No
Exam Program
Getting your California CPA
CPA Exam Requirements California
California CPA Exam Education Requirements
Credit Requirements: 120 semester units
Minimum Degree: Baccalaureate degree
Additional Requirements: Must include 24 semester hours in accounting subjects and 24 semester hours in business-related courses are required to take the CPA Exam in California.
(Requirements may vary. Contact the California State Board for more information on California requirements for the CPA exam.)
California Residency Requirements for the CPA Exam
Citizenship: U.S. Citizenship is not a California CPA exam requirement
Minimum Age: There are no California CPA requirements dictating a minimum age limit
Additional Requirements: There are no California CPA exam requirements to be a resident, employee, or keep office(s) in the state
California CPA License Requirements
Social Security Requirement: Yes
Educational Requirement: After passing the CPA Exam , the following additional education requirements must be met: 150 semester units total including 20 semester hours in accounting subjects and 10 semester hours in ethics study
Participates in International Exam Program: No
Experience Requirements: 1 year (2,000 hours) general experience fulfilled before, during, or after the CPA Exam. For those wishing to sign off on audit reports, the experience must include 500 hours of attest services.
*Internships can count towards work experience hours
Ethics Exam: Must pass Professional Ethics for CPAs (PETH) Exam within 2 years of submitting license application
State Board Contacts
California Board of Accountancy
2000 Evergreen Street, Suite 250
Sacramento, CA 95815-3832
Email: examinfo@cba.ca.gov
Phone: 916-561-1703
Phone 2: 916-571-1701 (licensure)
Fax: 916-263-3677
California CPA Exam & Licensure Resources
CPA Examination Tutorial and Sample Tests
California Uniform CPA Examination Handbook
California CPA Exam Application Forms
California CPA Exam FAQ
Certificate of Attest Experience - Public Accounting
Certificate of Attest Experience (Non-Public Accounting)
Certificate of General Experience - Public Accounting
Certificate of General Experience - Non-Public Accounting
CPA Requirements in Other States
California CPA Fees
Initial Application Fees | 100 |
AUD | $224.99 |
BEC | $224.99 |
FAR | $224.99 |
REG | $224.99 |
Total | $999.96 |
*$50 re-examination application fee