Want to become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Kentucky? You’ve come to the right place. Below we’ve outlined everything you need to know about becoming a CPA in Kentucky, including licensing and education requirements, information on the cost and fees, and much more.
Kentucky CPA Requirements
The CPA Exam and licensing practices are governed by uniform standards in every jurisdiction. The norms vary from state to state. Kentucky has its own set of rules for becoming a CPA. Let’s go over those exact prerequisites needed.
| Social Security Requirement | A Social Security Number is required. |
| Age, Citizenship, and Residency Requirements |
|
| Good Moral Character | Yes |
| Education Requirement for Licensure | 150 hours (including a bachelor’s degree) |
| Pass the Exam | Need at least 75 in each section to pass |
| Work Experience | 2,000 hours |
| Ethics Exam Requirements | No |
| International CPA Examination Program | Yes, is a participant |
Educational Requirements
To sit for the CPA Exam in Kentucky, candidates must meet the following education requirements:
- A bachelor’s degree or higher with a concentration in accounting from an institution that has been approved by the state. Includes 39 semester hours in business-related courses, of which 27 hours must be in accounting.
To obtain a CPA license in Kentucky, candidates must meet the following education requirements:
- 150 semester hours
- 27 semester hours in accounting. Acceptable courses include one of the following as a part of the course description or catalog: tax or accounting standards, principles, or processes.
- 12 semester hours in business-related courses. Acceptable courses must include one of the following as a part of the course prefix or title: accounting, business, computers, economics, finance, management, marketing, or statistics.
Work Experience Requirements
A minimum of 1 year (2,000 hours) of accounting or auditing experience is required to qualify for a CPA license in Kentucky. The experience must be completed in not less than 12 months, and after completing a bachelor’s or master’s degree. It can be gained in public practice, industry, or government, and must be verified by a qualified CPA. Work experience must be completed within 5 years (before or after) of passing your final CPA Exam section.
Kentucky CPA Exam &Licensing: Cost and Fees
The initial application fee for Kentucky CPA candidates is $30 for each section. The fee for each exam section is $265.57. Please check with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) for the exact cost and fees, as they are subject to change. Also, you may be required to pay additional nominal fees to NASBA, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA®), and Prometric.
| Kentucky CPA Exam Fees | |
|---|---|
| Exam Application Fee | $120 |
| Auditing and Attestation (AUD) | $265.57 |
| Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR) | $265.57 |
| Regulation (REG) | $265.57 |
| ISC/BAR/TCP | $265.57 |
| Total: | $1,182.28 |
Pass the 3 core sections, AUD, FAR, and REG, and 1 discipline section: Information Systems and Controls (ISC), Business Analysis and Reporting (BAR), or Tax Compliance and Planning (TCP).
License Renewal Requirements
CPAs in Kentucky must renew their license online every 2 years between July 1 and Aug. 1. The renewal charge for a 2-year license is $100. Those who fail to renew by Aug. 1 must pay $200 between Aug. 2 and Sept. 1 to renew their license online.
Continuing Education Requirements
CPA licensees must submit valid CPE information when applying for license renewal. You do not need to send any proof of CPE to the board unless you are chosen for an audit. You must retain your CPE records for a minimum of 5 years.
A CPA licensee who has gained at least 3,000 hours of experience in a board-licensed public accounting firm within the 2 years before their license renewal date must complete 80 CPE hours. All other CPAs need to complete 60 CPE hours. In addition, all licensees must complete a 2-hour ethics course within their reporting period.
Kentucky CPA Exam: Exam Dates, Score Release, and Scheduling
Preparing for the Kentucky CPA Exam involves registering with the Kentucky Board of Accountancy, scheduling exam sections, and monitoring score release dates for efficient preparation. Candidates must carefully schedule their exam sections with designated testing centers, ensuring alignment with their study timelines and availability. Understanding the scheduling process helps candidates manage their preparation effectively.
Exam Dates & Score Release
You can apply for the CPA Exam upon completing the Kentucky CPA educational requirements. Before you apply, you need to know when the test and scores will be released. The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA®) releases the CPA Exam score release dates, with scores available within 48 hours of the scheduled release date.
CPA candidates in Kentucky can submit their applications through the state board’s website. You must submit your educational transcripts to the board along with your application form.
Once your documents and applications are evaluated, the board confirms if you’re eligible to sit for the exam. You will receive an Authorization to Test (ATT) within 3 to 6 weeks of your application date. Receiving an ATT means you are eligible to take the CPA Exam.
After obtaining your ATT, you will receive payment coupons for your exam fees. When your payment is complete, NASBA sends a Notice to Schedule (NTS). Your NTS is valid for only 6 months and is a vital document. During the CPA Exam, you will be required to provide your NTS at the Prometric testing center. Those who have no NTS are prohibited from taking the CPA Exam.
Prometric helps you schedule your CPA Exam on the date and at the location of your choice. You will need your NTS number while scheduling your exam. You can conduct a quick search for the centers closest to your location.
Each section has a scoring scale from 0 to 99. You must score at least 75 in each section to pass the exam.
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