Pennsylvania CPA Requirements
Exam and License Requirements To Become a CPA

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Do you want to become a CPA in Pennsylvania? To become a CPA in Pennsylvania, you must adhere to a unique set of rules and requirements to take the CPA Exam and get your CPA license. Read on to learn about these requirements.

Understanding Pennsylvania CPA Requirements

Obtaining a CPA license in any state requires following a standardized procedure. Even though each state has its own rules and requirements for obtaining a CPA license, there are a few consistencies. Let's explore the Pennsylvania CPA license requirements to gain a better understanding.

Social Security Requirement Yes
Age, Citizenship, and Residency Requirements
  • Minimum 18 years old
  • U.S. citizenship is not required
  • No need to be a resident of Pennsylvania
Good Moral Character Yes
Education Requirement for Licensure 150 hours (including B.A.)
Pass the Exam Score at least 75 in each section to pass
Work Experience 12 months of work experience (1,600 hours)
Ethics Exam Requirements No
International CPA Examination Program Participant

Educational Requirements

To sit for the CPA Exam in Pennsylvania, candidates must have completed the following education requirements:

  • Obtained a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution or university with at least 120 semester hours.
  • Completed 24-semester credits in accounting that include accounting and auditing, finance, business law, economics, or tax.

Additionally, candidates must have completed 150 semester hours to apply for CPA licensure in Pennsylvania.

Work Experience Requirements

  • You must have 12 months of work experience with at least 1,600 hours of qualifying experience.
  • The work experience must be gained during the 60 months before your application date.
  • Your work experience may include any service involving accounting, attest, compilation, financial advisory, management advisory, tax, or consulting skills.
  • You must earn your work experience through employment in government, academia, public practice, or industry.
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Pennsylvania CPA Exam & Licensing - Cost and Fees

In Pennsylvania, the education evaluation application fee is $90, and the fee for each exam section is $344.80. If you request a re-examination, you must pay exam section fees accordingly.

Pennsylvania CPA Exam Fees
Education Evaluation Application Fee $90
Exam Section Fees $1,379.20
Total: $1,469.20

*Pass the three core sections - AUD, FAR, and REG, and one discipline section - BAR/ISC/TCP

When you apply for the CPA license, there is an application fee that needs to be paid. Pennsylvania's initial application fee for a CPA license is $65. In addition, $100 is charged for the biennial renewal.

License Renewal Requirements

CPAs in Pennsylvania must renew their certification every two years, from January 1 to December 31. You must meet the Continuing Professional Education (CPE) requirements on time to renew your license.

Continuing Education Requirements

All first-time CPA licensees must complete 80 hours of CPE in subjects relevant to professional competence. You need to complete the required CPE during the two years preceding the filing date of your application. Each year must have a minimum of 20 hours of CPE.

Pennsylvania CPA Exam: Exam Dates, Score Release, and Scheduling

Candidates can apply for the CPA Exam upon satisfying the state requirements. However, knowing the target CPA Exam, score release dates and the application process is essential. These details help you better plan for the exam.

Exam Dates and Score Release

The target CPA Exam and score release dates are available on the AICPA website. Candidates must check the same and schedule the exam based on their preference. Continuous testing is disabled for the 2024 CPA Exam to account for standard-setting analyses and activities.

Important Update: With the launch of the new CPA Exam in January 2024, some candidates with conditional credit may be impacted by limited opportunities to test and delays in score reporting. Accordingly, any candidate with CPA Exam credit(s) on January 1, 2024, will have such credit(s) extended to June 30, 2025—source: CPA Examination Credit Extension Policy.

Scheduling the CPA Examination

Each state has a slightly different application process. Hence, here's a quick guide to applying for and scheduling the Pennsylvania CPA Exam.

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