Connecticut CPA Requirements
Exam and License Requirements To Become a CPA
Want to learn all about the CPA Exam?
Are you preparing for the CPA Exam in Connecticut? Connecticut is an ideal location for CPA candidates seeking to further their accounting careers. Many Fortune 500 companies are based there, as are many medium-sized and small businesses. To become a CPA in Connecticut, you must pass the CPA Exam and obtain a license. Let’s dig deeper into the CPA Exam and license requirements to get an overview.
Connecticut CPA Requirements
Having a Connecticut CPA license indicates that you are legally allowed to practice in the state of Connecticut. However, obtaining a CPA license requires you to meet specific criteria. Here is a list of the prerequisites for getting your CPA license in Connecticut.
| Social Security Requirement | Yes |
| Age, Citizenship, and Residency Requirements |
|
| Good Moral Character | Yes |
| Education Requirements for Licensure | 150 hours (including B.A.) |
| Pass the Exam | Score 75 to pass each section |
| Work Experience | 2 years in public accounting |
| Ethics Exam Requirements | Pass the AICPA ethics exam with a minimum score of 90. |
| International CPA Examination Program | Connecticut participates in the International CPA Exam Program. |
To sit for the CPA Exam in Connecticut, candidates must have completed the following education requirements:
- 120 semester hours from an accredited college/institution
- 46 semester hours of accounting and related subjects that include:
- Business law
- Economics
- Finance
- Note that the 46 hours must include at least 24 semester hours of strictly accounting subjects
To obtain a CPA license in Connecticut, candidates must have completed 150 semester hours that include the following requirements:
- 36 semester hours in accounting
- 30 semester hours in economics or business courses
- 60 semester hours in general education
A minimum of 2 years (104 weeks) of work experience in accounting is required. You must work in a government office or industry that needs skills such as accounting, attesting, management advisory, tax, or consulting, among others. The entire work experience needs to be supervised by a licensed CPA.
Candidates who took the exam before January 1, 2000, and have less than 150 semester hours of education need 3 years (156 weeks) of work experience. The experience cannot be older than 10 years and must be conducted under the supervision of a CPA who has held their license for no less than 3 years before the verification of the experience.
Connecticut CPA Exam & Licensing - Cost and Fees
In Connecticut, the education evaluation application fee is $90. Each section of the CPA Exam application fee is $344.80.
| Connecticut CPA Exam Fees | |
|---|---|
| Education Evaluation Application | $90.00 |
| Auditing and Attestation (AUD) | $344.80 |
| Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR) | $344.80 |
| Regulation (REG) | $344.80 |
| ISC/BAR/ TCP | $344.80 |
| Total: | $1,469.20 |
[Information Systems and Controls (ISC), Business Analysis and Reporting (BAR), Tax Compliance and Planning (TCP)]
Connecticut is a two-tiered state, meaning candidates apply for a CPA certificate once they pass the CPA Exam, and then their CPA license once they meet their remaining requirements. The fee for the initial CPA certificate is $150 while obtaining both the CPA certificate and license costs $300.
| Connecticut CPA License Fees | |
|---|---|
| Initial CPA Certification | $150.00 |
| Initial CPA Certification & Registration | $190.00 |
| Initial CPA Certification & License | $300.00 |
Connecticut CPA License Renewal Requirements
In Connecticut, your CPA license must be renewed annually before December 31 of each year. During the renewal process, you must pay a fee of $565 and submit your Continuing Professional Education (CPE) report. You must complete your CPE from July 1 of the previous calendar year to June 30 of the current calendar year.
Connecticut CPA Continuing Education Requirements
Since CPE in Connecticut has a self-reporting system, it is up to each licensed CPA to keep track of their records. The office will only audit your report. Your board will not store your reported CPE courses or totals. Thus, you must keep your records for at least three years beyond the conclusion of your CPE program. You need to earn at least 40 hours of CPE in every licensing cycle if your license is not exempt from CPE reporting. You can complete a maximum of 60 hours, with 20 hours being eligible to carry over into your next renewal cycle. For exemptions and other specific requirements, visit the Connecticut state website.
Connecticut CPA Exam Dates, Score Release, and Scheduling
Navigating the Connecticut CPA Exam dates, score release timeline, and efficient scheduling strategies. Understanding these dynamics enables aspiring accountants to effectively plan their journey toward certification.
Exam Dates & Score Release
The AICPA publishes the CPA Exam testing window and the score release dates. Typically, your score should be accessible within 48 hours of the target release date. Other than score release dates, another stressful aspect of the CPA Exam is the application and scheduling process.
Exam Section Scheduling
Here is a step-by-step guide to help:
To initiate the Connecticut CPA Exam application procedure, create an Okta account. This account will serve as your gateway to the CPA portal application dashboard. Two options are available: one for new candidates and another for existing candidates. Select the appropriate choice, and proceed with the exam application. You’ll be able to manage all your documents and make payments seamlessly through this portal.
Once you gain portal access, you can fill out the education evaluation application. Make sure to submit all educational transcripts to CPA Exam Services from your institutions. Once the evaluation is complete, your portal homepage will display your status as eligible. For those who completed their education outside the U.S., opt for any of the following services for the evaluation process:
- NASBA International Evaluation Services (NIES)
- Foreign Academic Credential Service, Inc. (FACS)
- Educational Records Evaluation Service, Inc. (ERES)
Once eligibility is confirmed, proceed to apply for the CPA Exam section in Connecticut. Keep in mind that each application allows for the submission of only one section. Following the application process, anticipate the issuance of an NTS in your name, along with a Candidate Exam Section ID (CES ID). Only one NTS will be provided for each section post-application.
You must visit Prometric’s website to schedule the CPA Exam. All you need is your NTS number and CES ID to schedule the exam section. Decide on your testing center and an exam date beforehand. You can do a quick Google search to identify the closest Prometric testing center to you.
The scoring scale for each section is 0-99. You must score at least a 75 in each section to pass the CPA Exam.
