Rhode Island CPA Requirements
Exam and License Requirements To Become a CPA
Rhode Island CPA Requirements
Semester Units
Exam Program
Rhode Island CPA Requirements
CPA certification is one of the most prestigious accomplishments a professional can attain. It demonstrates that the accountant has met stringent educational, professional, and ethical standards. In addition, to achieve this coveted credential, students must pass the rigorous CPA Exam.
| Social Security Requirement | Yes |
| Age, Citizenship, and Residency Requirements |
|
| Education Requirements for Licensure | 150 hours (including B.A.) |
| Pass the Exam | Score 75 to pass each section |
| Work Experience | 1 year |
| Ethics Exam Requirements | Yes |
| International CPA Examination Program | Yes |
In order to meet the education requirements to sit for the CPA Exam in Rhode Island, you must meet one of the following criteria:
- Obtain a graduate degree in accounting from an accredited agency recognized by the Board.
- Obtain a graduate degree from a program that is accredited in business by an agency that is recognized by the Board. This option must include at least 24 undergraduate semester hours in accounting or 15 graduate hours in accounting or an equivalent combination. Accounting courses must contain six semester hours of fundamental accounting and intermediate financial accounting and reporting and at least three semester hours in advanced financial accounting and reporting, tax accounting, and auditing.
- Obtain a baccalaureate degree or higher from an accredited institution. This option must include at least 24 undergraduate semester hours in accounting and 24 semester hours in business courses either at the undergraduate or graduate level. Accounting courses must comprise a minimum of six semester hours in each of the following: fundamental accounting, intermediate financial accounting and reporting, advanced financial accounting and reporting, tax accounting, and auditing. The business courses must include three semester hours each in business law and economics.
To obtain CPA licensure you must have completed a total of 150 semester hours. You do not need to meet this requirement to sit for the CPA Exam, but you will need to complete it before applying for the CPA license.
The CPA Exam comprises four sections scored between 0 and 99. Each section requires a minimum score of 75 to pass. Candidates must pass all sections within an 18-month window.
Rhode Island CPA candidates must complete at least one year (1,820 hours) of work experience supervised by a licensed CPA.
All CPA aspirants in Rhode Island must complete the AICPA professional ethics course and score a minimum of 90 to pass the ethics exam.
Rhode Island participates in NASBA’s International CPA Examination Program. Through this program, international candidates can apply for the CPA Exam through the RI jurisdiction. However, you must meet all the exam and licensing requirements of the state board. Also, your transcripts must be evaluated by NASBA International Evaluation Services (NIES) or Foreign Academic Credentials Service, Inc.
Rhode Island CPA Exam & Licensing - Cost and Fees
In RI, the initial CPA Exam application fee is $170. In the event of a re-examination, you must pay an additional $85 registration fee. For each exam section, there is a fee of $238.15.
| Rhode Island CPA Exam Fees | ||
|---|---|---|
| Initial Application Fee | $170.00 | |
| 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 | $1122.6 | |
Rhode Island CPA License Renewal Requirements
All licensees must renew their CPA license every three (3) years. If your license is expired, you will need to pay $500 for the restoration of the expired license.
Rhode Island CPA Continuing Education Requirements
All CPAs must earn at least 120 CPE hours within each renewal period. The following must be included in the 120 CPE hours:
- Minimum of six hours in Ethics.
- Up to 24 hours can be designated as Personal Development and Marketing subjects.
- As the lecturer or moderator of a CPE session, CPAs are eligible to earn credits. However, this may account for no more than 60 hours of CPE.
- CPAs that develop content for published books or articles that cover topics related to CPA competence may earn credit for their preparation work. However, these credits cannot account for more than 60 hours of CPE.
Rhode Island CPA Exam: Exam Dates, Score Release, and Scheduling
Candidates can schedule and sit for sections of the CPA Exam year-round. The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) schedules CPA Exam score release dates which test-takers should become familiar with when planning their exams. Note that scores may become available up to 48 hours of the scheduled release date. Here are the steps to applying for and scheduling your CPA Exam:
Submit CPA Exam Application
Once you have met the requirements to sit for the CPA Exam in RI, you can apply for the exam through the NASBA website and submit all the required documents.
Obtain Authorization to Test (ATT)
After completing the application process, the RI Board will review it and confirm your eligibility for the exam. If approved, they will issue you an Authorization to Test (ATT). Receiving the ATT indicates that you are now allowed to take the CPA Exam.
Receive Your Notice to Schedule (NTS)
About three to six weeks after you send in your CPA Exam application, you will receive a Notice to Schedule (NTS). Your NTS number will be required when scheduling your exam date and time. You will furthermore need to bring your NTS to your testing center on your testing day.
Schedule Your Exam With Prometric
Prometric helps NASBA conduct the CPA Exam. You can select a suitable exam date, time, and location through Prometric. We recommend that you choose the place and date of your exam ahead of time to avoid any last-minute trouble.
Pass the CPA Exam
In each section of the CPA Exam, a score of at least 75 is necessary to pass. You will have 18 months to complete all of the sections.