Are you a CPA candidate from Maryland? If so, find out everything you need to know about the Maryland CPA requirements to become a license holder in the state. Keep reading to learn more about the requirements and process to become a CPA in Maryland.
Understanding Maryland CPA Requirements
To become a CPA in Maryland, you must pass the CPA Exam and meet the educational, experience, and other requirements, such as the ethics exam. Here is an overview to help you learn and understand these requirements.
| Social Security Requirement | Yes |
| Age, Citizenship, and Residency Requirements |
|
| Good Moral Character | Yes |
| Education Requirement for Licensure | 150 hours (including a bachelor’s degree) |
| Exam Passing Requirements | Attain a minimum score of 75 in each section |
| Work Experience | 1 year (or 2,000 hours) of professional experience |
| Ethics Exam Requirements | American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA®) Ethics Exam |
| International CPA Examination Program | Yes, is a participant |
Educational Requirements
Note that there is a difference between education requirements for the CPA Exam and CPA licensure. Candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited institution.
To sit for the CPA Exam, candidates must complete 120 semester hours (or equivalent) with a major in accounting that includes 30 semester hours in accounting and ethics subjects that are comprised of the following:
- 3 semester hours in auditing
- 3 semester hours in cost or managerial accounting
- 3 semester hours in U.S. Federal Income Tax
- 9 semester hours in financial accounting
- 9 semester hours in additional accounting courses
- 3 semester hours in ethics (can be business, accounting or philosophy ethics)
For CPA licensure, candidates must complete a total of 150 semester hours (or equivalent) that include 21 semester hours in business-related topics. These topics must incorporate 5 of the 9 following subject areas:
- Statistics
- Economics
- Corporation or Business Finance
- Management
- Marketing
- U.S. Business Law
- Business Communication
- Quantitative Methods
- Computer Science/Information Systems
Work Experience Requirements
The Maryland Board of Public Accountancy requires individuals applying for an initial license to demonstrate at least 1 year of professional experience endorsed by a licensed, active CPA. You must meet the requirement within the 3 years preceding your license application date. The experience can include providing the following services in public practice, government, private industry, or academia:
- Accounting
- Attest
- Management Advisory
- Financial Advisory
- Tax
- Consulting Skills
Ethical Exam Requirements
Aspiring CPAs must complete the AICPA’s Professional Ethics Course and send their completion certificate to the Maryland Board of Public Accountancy a maximum of 2 years before their license application. The course assesses the profession’s ethical standards and outlines the code of conduct for CPA licensees. The final exam is a multiple-choice test that requires a passing score of 90% or higher.
Maryland CPA Exam & Licensing: Cost and Fees
According to the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA), candidates must pay an education evaluation application fee of $96, an exam application fee of $96, and a fee of $262.64 for each exam section. Fees are submitted at the time of application and are non-refundable.
| Maryland CPA Exam Fees | |
|---|---|
| Education Evaluation Application Fee | $96 |
| Exam Application Fee | $96 |
| Auditing and Attestation (AUD) | $262.64 |
| Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR) | $262.64 |
| Regulation (REG) | $262.64 |
| ISC/BAR/TCP | $262.64 |
| Total: | $1,242.56 |
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).
Having passed the CPA Exam, gained work experience, and passed the ethics exam, you can apply for CPA licensure in Maryland by paying a $180 licensing fee. You must mail all your supporting documents and the Report of Practical Work Experience (RPE) to the Maryland Board of Public Accountancy. The board will verify the documents furnished and issue the license accordingly.
License Renewal Requirements
As per the Maryland Board of Public Accountancy, you must renew your license every 2 years from the issuance date. You must fulfill the Continuing Professional Education (CPE) requirements to apply for the renewal license via an online application. Maryland’s CPA license renewal fee is $63; if your license has expired, you must pay $126. The board will send reminders periodically to renew your license.
Continuing Education Requirements
An active CPA must earn at least 80 qualifying education hours every 2 years to renew their license. The licensee can complete the education in either technical or non-technical subjects, but must complete at least 4 hours of CPE in professional ethics to be eligible for renewal. Also, licensees are required to hold their CPE supporting documents for 4 years. No credit shall be transferred or counted toward the next term.
Maryland CPA Exam: Exam Dates, Score Release, and Scheduling
Candidates can apply for the CPA Exam upon satisfying the state requirements. However, candidates must be familiar with the CPA Exam and score release dates before applying. The application process is through NASBA’s portal. We’ve provided an overview of these details and the application process for a better understanding.
Exam Dates and Score Release
AICPA periodically publishes the target CPA Exam and score release dates. Ensure to check this and schedule the exam based on your preference. It’s essential to note that the AICPA conducts continuous testing for the core sections, whereas discipline sections are held during specific windows.
Scheduling the CPA Examination
Maryland CPA candidates can apply for the CPA Exam by creating an Okta Account on the CPA Portal. This portal serves as the central hub for managing your CPA Exam status and eligibility, obtaining your Notice to Schedule (NTS), and accessing your score results.
To qualify for the CPA Exam, you must obtain your eligibility by submitting an Education Evaluation Application with a $96 fee. Ensure that your educational transcripts are sent to NASBA directly from your university/institution. If you’ve completed your academic requirements outside of the United States, you can utilize the services of any of the following evaluators:
- NASBA International Evaluation Services (NIES)
- Foreign Academic Credential Service, Inc. (FACS)
- Educational Records Evaluation Service, Inc. (ERES).
After confirming your eligibility, NASBA will issue an Authorization to Test (ATT). The subsequent step involves an exam application fee of $96, followed by an exam section application, 1 section at a time, with a fee of $ 262.64. An NTS is provided for each application, and a Candidate Exam Section ID (CES) is issued for exam scheduling purposes.
To schedule your CPA Exam, visit the Prometric website and have your NTS and CES ID handy. You can check the nearest Prometric center via a quick search. Remember to bring a physical copy of the NTS to the testing center on the exam day.
You have a 30-month time window to pass all the CPA Exam sections. The minimum passing score is 75 for each section.
Maryland CPA candidates can apply for the CPA Exam by creating an Okta Account on the CPA Portal. This portal serves as the central hub for managing your CPA Exam status and eligibility, obtaining your Notice to Schedule (NTS), and accessing your score results.
- NASBA International Evaluation Services (NIES)
- Foreign Academic Credential Service, Inc. (FACS)
- Educational Records Evaluation Service, Inc. (ERES).
To schedule your CPA Exam, visit the Prometric website and have your NTS and CES ID handy. You can check the nearest Prometric center via a quick search. Remember to bring a physical copy of the NTS to the testing center on the exam day.
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