Puerto Rico CPA Requirements
Exam and License Requirements To Become a CPA
Semester Units
Requirements
Exam Program
Puerto Rico CPA Requirements
Puerto Rico has specific CPA requirements that each candidate must meet before sitting for the exam and applying for licensure. The Puerto Rico Board has set forth these requirements in close association with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) and American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). Completing your education, passing the exam, and obtaining work experience are among the prerequisites to becoming a CPA in Puerto Rico.
| Social Security Requirement | Yes |
| Age, Citizenship, and Residency Requirements |
|
| Good Moral Character | Yes |
| Education Requirements for Licensure | 150 semester hours (including B.A.) |
| Pass the Exam | Score 75 in each section |
| Ethics Exam Requirements | No |
| Work Experience | 1 year (1,820 hours) of experience |
| International CPA Examination Program | Yes |
Puerto Rico CPA candidates who graduated after December 31, 1999, must complete a bachelor’s degree or higher with 150 semester hours and a minimum GPA of 2.0 in accounting and business courses. Of the 150 hours:
- 32 hours must be in accounting subjects
- 32 hours must be in general business subjects
Candidates who graduated before December 31, 1999, must meet one of the following:
- Complete a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a major in accounting from an accredited college or university
- Complete a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with at least 58 semester hours (87 quarter hours) in business subjects, of which 32 semester hours (48 quarter hours) must be in accounting
- If you graduated from an accredited college or university, but did not meet the business course requirement in item 2, you may provide evidence of completing 8 years of public accounting experience
Passing the CPA Exam is mandatory for obtaining a CPA license. You must score at least 75 in each section within an 18-month period.
CPA candidates in Puerto Rico must obtain one year (1,820 hours) of full-time experience, or 3 years of part-time experience, in the areas of public accounting, industry/private practice, or academia. Your work experience must be verified by a CPA (no CPA supervision required).
Puerto Rico CPA candidates do not need to take an ethics exam to apply for licensure. However, they must complete the following certification requirements:
- Present a Certificate of Good Conduct from the Police Department
- Provide a Certificate of Compliance with ASUME
- Obtain a Certificate of Membership with the Puerto Rico CPA Society
Puerto Rico participates in the International CPA Examination Program. Candidates who have completed their education outside of the U.S. can apply to become CPAs in Puerto Rico by having their academic credentials evaluated by NASBA International Evaluation Services (NIES). If your educational qualifications match the territory’s requirements, and you are a U.S. citizen, you can proceed to become a CPA in Puerto Rico.
Puerto Rico CPA Exam & Licensing - Cost and Fees
Puerto Rico CPA candidates must pay an application fee and examination fee when applying for the CPA Exam. The initial application fee is $210, followed by a fee of $238.15 for each exam section. A re-application fee of $130 is in place to re-apply for the exam sections.
| Puerto Rico CPA Exam Fees | ||
|---|---|---|
| Initial Application Fee | $210.00 | |
| 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 | $1,162.60 | |
After passing the CPA Exam and obtaining the relevant experience, Puerto Rico CPA candidates can apply for a CPA license in the territory by submitting an online application for a fee of $207.
License Renewal Requirements
Puerto Rico CPA license holders must renew their licenses every three years between August 1 and December 1. Licensees must submit an online application and renewal fee of $225 before December 1 of the year the license expires.
Continuing Education Requirements
Practicing CPAs in Puerto Rico must complete 120 total hours of Continuing Professional Education (CPE) every three years to qualify for license renewal. Of the 120 CPE hours:
- 40 CPE hours must be in accounting, audit, and tax (12 in accounting and audit with 28 in tax, or 28 in accounting and audit with 12 in tax)
- 3 CPE hours must be in professional ethics, with the course content based on the AICPA’s Code of Professional Conduct.
Visit NASBA’s website for additional Puerto Rico CPA CPE requirements.
Puerto Rico CPA Exam: Dates, Score Release, and Scheduling
CPA Examination Services (CPAES), a NASBA sub-division, administers the CPA Exam in Puerto Rico. The exam is held year-round, allowing candidates to sit for the exam based on their preferences. After fulfilling the Puerto Rico CPA Exam requirements, you can apply for and take the exam. As you schedule your exam, be aware of the CPA Exam score release dates announced biennially by the AICPA.
Submit CPA Exam Application and Fees
Puerto Rico CPA candidates can apply for the CPA Exam through CPA Central, NASBA's examination portal. Ensure that you enter all the required information and have your educational transcripts submitted to NASBA by your university.
Obtain Authorization to Test (ATT)
After applying, the board will check your qualifications and determine your eligibility to sit for the CPA Exam in Puerto Rico. If eligible, you will receive an Authorization to Test (ATT) that confirms your eligibility.
Receive Your Notice to Schedule (NTS)
Upon receiving your ATT, you will be granted a Notice to Schedule (NTS). You will need to bring your NTS to the Prometric testing center when you take your exam.
Schedule Your Exam With Prometric
The CPA Exam is scheduled using Prometric, which requires you to enter your provided NTS number. The portal will display all the available dates and locations for the exam, and you may schedule your exam based on your preferences.
Pass the CPA Exam
Sitting for the CPA Exam doesn't mean you will become a CPA. You must pass all four CPA Exam sections with a score of 75 or higher within an 18-month period.