Virginia CPA Requirements
Exam and License Requirements To Become a CPA
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Requirements
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Requirements
Exam Program
Virginia CPA Requirements
To become a CPA in Virginia, you must meet certain requirements before you can apply for an initial license from the state. This includes passing the CPA Exam. The Virginia Board of Accountancy (VBOA) is the state-governing body that issues CPA licenses to successful applicants. Upon meeting all Virginia CPA license requirements, you will receive your license via its single-tier licensing structure.
| Social Security Requirements | Yes |
| Age, Citizenship, and Residency Requirements |
|
| Good Moral Character | Yes |
| Education Requirement for Licensure | 150 hours (including B.A.) |
| Pass the Exam | Need to score 75 in each section to pass |
| Work Experience | 1 year of working experience in accounting |
| Ethics Exam Requirements | Yes |
| International CPA Examination Program | Yes |
To qualify for a Virginia CPA license, you must produce your Social Security number. This is essential to obtaining the CPA license.
- There is no requirement for U.S. citizenship to apply for the CPA Exam and obtain a license in Virginia.
- You need to be a minimum of 18 years old to take the CPA Exam.
- There is no requirement for residency, employment, or holding an office in Virginia.
Let's look at educational requirements and additional Virginia CPA requirements for licensing.
To sit for the CPA Exam, you must have an undergraduate degree (120 hours) from a regionally accredited college or university with a concentration in accounting or any other equivalent:
- 24 semester hours of accounting courses above the foundational level, with courses in financial accounting, auditing, taxation, and managerial/cost accounting.
- 24 semester hours of business courses with no more than six semester hours of accounting courses.
To apply for a VA CPA license, an individual must have 150 semester hours of coursework with a concentration in accounting, including an undergraduate degree.
The CPA Exam has four sections, and you must score at least 75 in each section to pass the exam. Furthermore, all exam sections must be completed within an 18-month window. If you passed exam sections in other states, you need to have your scores transferred for a non-refundable fee of $25.
To meet the CPA license requirements of Virginia, one must complete one year of full-time employment, equivalent to 2,080 hours as determined by the VBOA, in an academic, private, or government industry. You must have substantial experience in finance, accounting, and taxation. The board will determine the requirement for additional skills on a case-by-case basis. Self-employment does not qualify as experience.
Successful CPA candidates must pass the CPA Ethical Examination by taking an eight-hour course and passing the exam with a minimum score of 90%.
Non-U.S. citizens who want to take the CPA Exam and get a license can do so through the International CPA Examination Program. Virginia facilitates the program for international applicants for the CPA Exam by evaluating candidates’ educational credentials. Once you meet the Virginia CPA requirements, you may proceed to take the examination and pass it.
The VBOA recognizes Virginia license applicants who are members of professional bodies with mutual recognition agreements with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA). Some of these bodies are:
- Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ)
- Chartered Accountants Ireland (CAI)
- CPA Australia
- CPA Canada (CPAC)
- Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants (HKICPA)
- Instituto Mexicano de Contadores Públicos (IMCP)
- Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS)
- South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA)
Virginia CPA Exam & Licensing - Cost and Fees
The initial CPA Exam fee is $120 in Virginia, and each section fee is $238.15. For re-exam, there is a non-refundable fee of $20. The application fee is paid to the state board, and the exam section fee is paid to the NASBA.
| Virginia CPA Exam Fees | ||
|---|---|---|
| Initial Application Fee | $120.00 | |
| 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 | $1,072.60 | |
After passing the CPA Exam, you may apply for licensure by meeting the Virginia CPA license requirements, with an initial fee of $75.
Virginia CPA License Renewal Requirements
Every year by June 30, all Virginia CPAs with active or inactive licenses must renew their licenses. You may renew your license starting March 1, with a renewal fee of $60. Additionally, you must meet and produce the Continuing Professional Education (CPE) requirements when instructed to do so by the VBOA. If you do not renew, your license status will automatically expire.
Virginia CPA Continuing Education Requirements
If you want to get a CPA license in Virginia or renew one, you must complete your CPE requirement for three years. Candidates must complete 120 hours of CPE, with at least 20 hours per year and 40 hours in the first year after passing the CPA Exam.
Virginia CPA Exam: Exam Dates, Score Release and Scheduling
After fulfilling the Virginia CPA Exam requirements, candidates can apply for the exam from the state. As the CPA Exam is held year-round, candidates must check the target exam and score release dates before applying. The AICPA releases the CPA Exam score release dates biennially, with the scores accessible within 48 hours of the target score release date. The CPA Exam is administered by CPA Examination Services (CPAES), a NASBA sub-division.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to become a CPA in Virginia:
Submit CPA Exam Application and Fees
Once you've met all the requirements for the CPA Exam, you can create and submit your application through the VBOA and pay the non-refundable $120 application fee. Approximately three to five business days after your application is deemed eligible, you will receive your first NASBA Payment Coupon, which will allow you to pay for your exam fees. The coupon is valid for six months and can be accessed via the online NASBA Candidate Portal, where you will also make the necessary payment.
Obtain Authorization to Test (ATT)
You will receive an Authorization to Test (ATT) soon after submitting your application. It is a confirmation from the board that you are eligible to take the CPA Exam as a Virginia CPA candidate.
Notice to Schedule (NTS)
Upon payment confirmation, you can view your Notice to Schedule (NTS) on the NASBA Candidate Portal, valid for 12 months. It is an essential document to schedule your CPA Exam.
Schedule Your Exam With Prometric
Candidates can schedule their CPA Exam using Prometric by providing the NTS number. Ensure to check the nearest Prometric testing center.
Pass the CPA Exam
To pass the CPA Exam, you must score at least 75 in each section, and all sections must be completed within an 18-month window. Please refer above to see the AICPA’s target score release dates.