Becoming a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Virginia is a significant milestone, opening doors to a rewarding career in finance and accounting. Whether you’re a recent graduate, a seasoned professional looking to enhance your credentials, or someone considering a career switch, understanding the specific Virginia CPA requirements is crucial.
This guide aims to equip you with the knowledge needed to navigate your path to CPA licensure in Virginia. Let’s explore the CPA license requirements and the necessary steps to achieve this prestigious credential in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
| CPA Exam Requirements Virginia – Overview | |
| Educational Hours Required for Exam | 120 Semester Hours |
| Educational Hours Required for Licensure | 150 Semester Hours |
| Residency Required | Not required |
| Degree Required | Bachelor’s or Master’s |
| Minimum Age | Not required |
| Application Fee | $120.00 |
| Additional Requirements | Virginia Board of Accountancy Site |
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CPA Exam Requirements in Virginia
Want to become a CPA in Virginia? Here are the specific educational, experience, and exam requirements you need to fulfill to obtain your Virginia CPA license requirements.
Virginia CPA Exam Education Requirements
The Certified Public Accountant certification is one of the most prestigious professional certifications available. It indicates that the accountant has satisfied a demanding set of educational, professional, and ethical standards.
In addition, candidates must pass the rigorous CPA exam to earn the distinction of this credential. Before CPA candidates can sit for the exam, they must satisfy their Virginia CPA Exam requirements and qualifications. Each state has its own set of eligibility requirements for the CPA exam, which should not be confused with licensing requirements.
Here are the Virginia CPA exam requirements:
- A total of 120 semester hours of education, including a bachelor’s degree or higher
- 24 semester hours of accounting courses, which must include intermediate accounting and other advanced topics beyond the introductory level
- 24 semester hours in business courses, excluding accounting courses
Candidates are required to complete an accounting concentration or its equivalent to meet the specific education requirements for the CPA exam. In Virginia, candidates need to ensure they complete specific accounting courses and business coursework as part of the educational requirements to sit for the exam.
Virginia CPA Exam Fees
- $120 for the initial application and $20 for the re-exam application. Candidates can take one section of the exam at a time and must pay the following fees to CPA Examination Services at the time of application:
- Auditing and Attestation (AUD): $224.99
- Business Environment and Concepts (BEC): $224.99
- Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR): $224.99
- Regulation (REG): $224.99
Scheduling the CPA Exam in Virginia
After your successful state application, you will receive a Notice to Schedule (NTS), which is valid for one testing event or six months, whichever comes first. The NTS lists the section(s) that the candidate is approved to take, along with the testing deadline. An examination appointment cannot be scheduled without a valid NTS. Once candidates receive their NTS, they can contact Prometric to schedule the examination. All scheduling, rescheduling, or cancellations of testing appointments are done through Prometric.
The CPA exam in Virginia is no longer administered via “testing windows” with “blackout dates.” Instead, candidates can schedule their exam during a rolling period. You can schedule your exam section by visiting the Prometric website or by calling Prometric at 1-800-580-9648.
Important Note: Appointments are based on a first-come, first-served basis. To increase the chances of getting your preferred location, date, and time, schedule your exam as soon as possible. You must have your exam scheduled at least 6 days before the exam date. Walk-in testing is not available.
Preparing for the CPA Exam
Currently, the average pass rate for any given section of the exam is about 50%, which is a great indicator of the exam’s difficulty. This is where a great CPA Review Course is crucial. Review courses have been preparing accounting professionals to pass the exam for years. Just about every accountant who has become a CPA utilizes a review program. In other words, they are a worthy investment when you are preparing to take the CPA exam.
Virginia CPA Exam Score Release
After completing each section of the exam, candidates can obtain their exam scores online after NASBA has released the information. They can also choose to have their CPA exam scores mailed to them.
Additional Information
To maintain your CPA licensure in Virginia, you must fulfill Continuing Professional Education (CPE) requirements. The CPE documentation is essential for CPA license renewal, and Virginia requires CPAs to meet a specific number of CPE hours every year.
While we do our best to keep all this information up to date, you are welcome to visit or contact the Virginia Board of Accountancy for further details on any CPA requirements or application process questions you might have.
Virginia State Board of Public Accountancy
Address: 9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 402 Henrico, VA 23233
Phone: (804) 367-8505 Fax: (804) 527-4409
Email: boa@boa.virginia.gov
Web: boa.virginia.gov
Application form: Virginia CPA Application Form