Colorado CPA Requirements
Exam and License Requirements To Become a CPA
Semester Units
Requirements
Exam Program
Semester Units
Requirements
Exam Program
Colorado CPA Requirements
Every state adheres to a set of rules and regulations regarding the CPA Exam and licensing procedure. State to state, the standards differ. Consequently, Colorado has its own set of CPA license requirements. Let’s dive deeper into the requirements here!
| Social Security Requirements | Yes |
| Age, Citizenship, and Residency Requirements |
|
| Good Moral Character | Yes |
| Education Requirement for Licensure | 150 hours (including B.A.) |
| Pass the Exam | Need at least 75 in each section to pass |
| Work Experience | 1 year of related work experience |
| Ethics Exam Requirements | Yes |
| International CPA Examination Program | Yes |
You must have a Social Security number (SSN) to obtain a CPA license in Colorado. If you do not have a SSN, you must submit a signed and notarized Social Security Number Affidavit stating that you are a non-citizen applying for a Colorado accountancy license.
- U.S. citizenship is not needed to get a CPA license in Colorado.
- There is no minimum age limit for Colorado CPA requirements.
- You don’t need to be a resident, be an employee, or keep an office in the state.
- For the CPA Exam, you must have a baccalaureate degree or higher education equivalent that includes 120 semester hours in accounting or business courses.
- These 120 hours must include at least 27 semester hours of non-duplicative accounting coursework.
- These 27 semester hours must contain 21 hours of the below-listed coursework:
- Taxation
- Tax Auditing
- Tax Research and Analysis
- Accounting Ethics
- Forensic Accounting
- Accounting Theory
- Accounting Information Systems
- Accounting Research and Analysis
- Auditing and Attestation Services
- Fraud Examination
- Financial Accounting
- Managerial or Cost Accounting
- Financial Statement Analysis
- Internal Controls and Risk Assessment
- These 21 hours must include a U.S. GAAS-focused auditing course of at least three semester hours.
- For a CPA license, you must have 150 semester hours, including 33 semester hours in accounting and 27 semester hours in business at the undergraduate or graduate level.
Passing the CPA Exam is the most vital requirement for CPA certification. Passing requires a minimum score of 75 on each section. Within 18 months, candidates must pass all four sections of the examination.
You must complete 1 year of work experience (1,800 hours) for one or more employers as an employee of a CPA. Working in public accounting, industry, government, or academia is acceptable.
Passing the ethical exam is one of the most critical requirements for obtaining a CPA license in Colorado. You must pass the AICPA Professional Ethics Exam within 90 days of satisfying the work experience prerequisite.
Colorado participates in the International CPA Examination Program. The Colorado State Board will accredit international candidates for the CPA credential, provided they meet all prerequisites. Non-U.S. students wishing to become certified public accountants in the United States must take the CPA Exam in English.
Colorado CPA Exam & Licensing - Cost and Fees
Candidates sitting for the CPA Exam for the first time are required to pay both the application fee and the examination fee. The application fee is around $160, and each exam section costs $238.15.
| Colorado CPA Exam Fees | ||
|---|---|---|
| Initial Application Fee | $160.00 | |
| 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 | $1,112.60 | |
When you have passed your CPA ethics exam and met all the licensing requirements, you can apply for the CPA license through the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) website. Take a look at the licensing costs and fees listed below.
| Colorado CPA License Fees | |
|---|---|
| Initial Application | $250 |
| Hard-copy fingerprint process | $49 |
| Biennial license renewal | $120 |
| Application for retired status | $75 |
| Retired-to-active status | $50 |
Colorado CPA License Renewal Requirements
CPAs must renew their license in Colorado every two years. Every other year, on the last day of the licensee's birth month, the license will expire at midnight.
Colorado CPA Continuing Education Requirements
To maintain your CPA license in Colorado, you must complete 80 hours of Continuing Professional Education (CPE). CPAs who offer audit, review, or other attestation services or provide compiled financial statement reports must submit at least 24 hours of CPE in accounting and auditing.
Colorado CPA Exam: Exam Dates, Score Release and Scheduling
Although each state in the United States has its own laws, some practices are standard. Applications for the CPA Examination and initial licensing in Colorado are handled by CPA Examination Services (CPAES), a subsidiary of NASBA.
Follow these steps to register for and take the CPA Exam:
Submit CPA Exam Application
After ensuring that you are eligible to take the CPA Exam, you must submit an application and pay the associated fee. You can do this through the NASBA CPA Central Portal. In addition, you will need to have your accredited university or institution submit your education transcripts directly to NASBA.
Receive Authorization to Test (ATT)
If your application is approved by the Colorado State Board, you'll receive an Authorization to Test (ATT) that allows you to sign up for the CPA Exam. The term of the ATT is 90 days.
Obtain Your Notice to Schedule (NTS)
After registering yourself for the CPA Exam, your Notice to Schedule (NTS) will be sent to you within three to six weeks. The Uniform CPA Exam is only open to those who have obtained a NTS.
Schedule Your Exam With Prometric
Your NTS has your NTS number, which is required to schedule your CPA Exam. You can use the Prometric testing center's website to schedule your exam.
Pass the CPA Exam
To earn your certification, you must pass all four sections of the exam within a rolling 18-month period that begins on the date of your first passed examination segment. The minimum passing score is 75 for each section.