California CPA License
Certified Public Accountant (also known as CPA) is a special statutory title that is given to individuals who pass the Uniform CPA exam in the United States. California is one of the areas in the country where professionals can take the examination. In order to get a California CPA license, it is important to satisfy all the requirements set by the state board. Aside from the requirements for first-time applicants, the state board also sets requirements for license renewal. Below are the requirements for applying and renewing a California CPA license.
Application for License to Practice in the State
Becoming a CPA in California is not that easy since applicants should complete or satisfy several requirements set by the state board. One of the requirements is attaining a bachelor?s degree in any university or college in the United States. In addition, it is also necessary that applicants finish at least 24 semester hours in accounting courses as well as 24 semester hours in business courses. Aside from these, applicants should take and pass the Uniform CPA exam facilitated by the members or officials of the state board. Moreover, applicants cannot get their licenses if they do not pass a special course on ethics and they do not have at least two years experience in accounting firms.
Application for License to Practice in Other States
Individuals who want to take the exam in California but like to practice in other areas in the United States, they need to satisfy the following requirements. The first requirement is having a bachelor?s degree from any college or university in the country. Second, applicants should have 24 semester hours in courses related to accounting. Third, it is important that they finish 24 semester hours in courses related to business. Fourth, applicants must have 150 semester hours in education courses. Fifth, it is necessary that they pass the Uniform CPA exam. Sixth, applicants are required to have at least a year working experience with a CPA. Finally, applicants should also pass a special exam on ethics.
Renewal of License
Certified Public Accountants are also required to renew their license to attain an active status. To do this, there are some requirements that they need to satisfy. Before CPAs can renew their licenses in California, they need to complete at least 80 hours of continuing professional education. Some of the topics that they need to master include income statement and balance sheet, income taxes as well as long term debt and contingencies.