Iowa Ethics Exam Requirements
Many candidates who pass the Certified Public Accountants (CPA) Exam face one more important test before they earn a license to practice as Certified Public Accountants—an Ethics Exam. States vary their ethics requirements for a CPA license just as they vary their requirements for the CPA Exam.
About 35 state boards require CPA candidates to go through a course and pass the Ethics Exam conducted either by the AICPA or the state board. The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) Ethics Exam focuses on ethics questions that arise in the accounting profession. It tests the candidate’s understanding of the conduct required of CPAs who serve the financial integrity of businesses and individuals.
Some jurisdictions administer their own Ethics Exam through their State Society of CPAs. Other jurisdictions don’t require either an ethics course or an ethics examination for a license.
The Ethics Exam requirement takes a lot of candidates by surprise because it does not get a lot of attention while they are working to pass the CPA Exam. Compared to the CPA Exam they’ve just passed, this last hurdle is a very small one. Take time to read the study material. Be careful answering questions when you take the test. These can be tricky, and only a few wrong answers are enough to cost you the score you need to pass.
Below, we will discuss the Iowa CPA Ethics requirements. To get a Iowa CPA license, you must pass the AICPA Ethics Exam.
For more details, click here to visit the Iowa State Board of Public Accountancy website or email [email protected]. Applicants may also call at (515) 725-9022 and then press 2.
Preparing for the Iowa CPA Ethics Exam
You must complete and pass the Professional Ethics: The AICPA’s Comprehensive Course (PE) prior to receiving your Iowa CPA certificate. The course explains the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct and covers the basic tenets of ethical and professional conduct.
You must pass this course with a score of 90 percent or higher to qualify. It is not necessary to take the AICPA Ethics Exam until you are prepared to apply for the Iowa CPA license.
Since candidates must pass the test with a score of 90—and within two years of license application, it is vital that candidates prepare and take their time while taking the test. The AICPA has an online preparation course for the test, and there is a CD-ROM available that includes an 11-hour course and 40 multiple-choice practice questions.
The ‘Professional Ethics: The AICPA’s Comprehensive Course’ is available for purchase online at the ‘Iowa Society of CPAs‘ website.
After purchase of the exam, you will be sent a confirmation email that includes instructions on how to access the exam through AICPA’s website. This may take up to 3 business days to receive (please check your spam or junk email). Exam materials are offered in an online, on demand format.
If you don’t receive a confirmation email within 3 business days, please email [email protected] or call Lindsey Haley at 515-985-7125
Required Study Time for Ethics Exam
You can expect to schedule between 10 and 20 hours to study for the exam. You won’t need to devote much more than 10 hours to prepare. Just make sure you don’t skim and miss important points.
Take notes so that you’ll hold on to the concepts long enough to pass the test. The multiple-choice questions can be tricky; read them carefully.
If you have any questions about the uniform CPA exam, contact the CPA Examination Services of the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy.
The Exam Format
The exam is an open-book test having 40 multiple-choice questions & the exam is timed. However, candidates will have enough time to look up materials in your study book if you are unsure of any answer. Candidates must pass the exam with a grade of 90 percent or no more than five missed questions.
Completing the Test
The exam must be completed within one year from the date of purchase. Test results are valid for two years while the candidate completes all licensing requirements for the Iowa Board of Accountancy.
How long are Ethics Exam scores good?
After you order the Ethics Exam, AICPA gives you one full year to study and take the test. You can contact the AICPA Grading Department at 1-888-777-7077 to ask for a 30-day extension if this is not enough time.
States that require the AICPA Ethics Exam usually set a deadline that results are valid for two years after completing the exam. A two-year limit is expected to allow candidates enough time to complete all their other licensing requirements. Check with the Iowa Board of Accountancy to make sure.
Receiving Scores
Submitting your answers online means you will receive your score immediately after the test is graded automatically. If you mail in your answers, you will have to wait up to six weeks for the results.
You can get your CPA Permit to Practice after passing the uniform CPA examination. To keep your license, you must complete a specific number of Continuing Professional Education hours covering topics like financial accounting and taxation.
Exam Fees
Candidates will need to pay the fees mentioned below at the Iowa Society of CPAs (ISCPA) website.
- $120 for ISCPA Members & Nonmembers
Retaking the exam
You are permitted to take the AICPA Ethics exam online up to three times. You will have to use the paper version and submit your answers by mail to retake it a fourth time.
Ready For The Ethics Exam?
Now that general overview of the Ethics Exam. Feel free to click the button below and grab yourself a copy of our free Ethics Exam Guide.
‘The 28 Things You Need To Know About The Ethics Exam’