The requirements to become a CPA in Hawaii can be a bit confusing so I put this guide together to help you navigate the process! If you’re just starting to research getting your CPA license in HI then I suggest starting from the top. Otherwise, feel free to skip ahead to any section you’d like to know a little more about!
Contents
7 Simple Steps to Becoming a CPA in Hawaii
Meet the Eligibility Requirements for the CPA Exam
Here are the basic age and citizenship requirements to sit for the CPA exam in Hawaii.
- Minimum age requirement?: 18
- US citizenship / work authorization required?: Yes
- Hawaii residency required?: No
- Minimum level of education required: See next section
- Valid Social Security Number (SSN)* required?: Yes
*An Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) may also be provided
Fulfill the HI CPA Education Requirements
Hawaii’s requirements to sit for the CPA Exam and get your license are the same. Here’s a breakdown of exactly what’s needed to become a CPA in Hawaii:
- Have at least 150 semester (or 225 quarter) hours AND a bachelor’s degree (or higher) from a U.S. accredited college, university or foreign equivalent
- Note:You can sit for the exam before you graduate as long as you satisfy this criteria within 120 days of the exam
- At least 24 semester (36 quarter) hours or accounting courses, of which 18 semester (27 quarter) hours are upper division or graduate level accounting and auditing courses
- At least 24 semester (36 quarter) hours in upper division or graduate level accounting or business-related courses
Apply to Sit for the CPA Exam and Pay the Exam Fees
Be sure to check out this post where I break down the entire CPA Exam application process for you, step-by-step.
The cost to apply and register for all four parts of the CPA Exam in Hawaii are as follows:
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*Hawaii‘s Notice to Schedule (NTS) window is 9 months, so you should only register and pay for the exam section(s) you intend to take within that time. If you need to schedule or re-take any sections beyond your initial NTS window, an $85 re-examination fee plus the associated exam section fees above will apply.
Study for, and PASS the CPA Exam!
Studying for the CPA Exam is definitely the most challenging and time consuming part of the whole process, so you might as well get a jump start on studying as soon as your fees are submitted.
Not sure which exam section to take first? Check out my post where I break down the pros and cons of each route you can go so you can make the best possible decision: Which section of the CPA Exam should I take first?
By far the most important factor to success on the CPA Exam is sticking to a consistent study schedule and not letting too much time lapse between study sessions.
The CPA Exam is not a test you can just cram for so you’ll want to make sure you space out the material into manageable chunks in a way that fits your schedule.
As long as you schedule things out properly, you won’t have to sacrifice your entire social life for the CPA Exam like some folks say!
You’ll also need to purchase a CPA review course that’s best suited for your study style and budget. I’ve personally tested and examined all of the top review courses out there so you can find the best one for you.
If you still can’t decide which course is best, send me an email and I’ll personally help you!
HI CPA Work Experience Requirements
In addition to the education requirements discussed above, the Hawaii Board of Public Accountancy requires that you have a certain amount of work experience before you can obtain your CPA license. There are two paths to meeting the work experience requirement you may choose from:
Path 1: At least 1,500 chargeable hours (e.g. 1 year of experience) in the performance of audits involving U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and auditing standards earned while in public accounting practice, supervised by a licensed CPA
Path 2: At least 2 years of professional experience in public accounting practice, private, industry, government, or education, supervised by a licensed CPA
- Experience must be earned while employed on a full-time basis (35 or more hours per week), and must be supervised by a licensed CPA.
- Experience may come from multiple employers, and can include a combination of public and non-public in limited circumstances.
Pass an Ethics Exam?
Good news! Unlike some other states, the Hawaii Board doesn’t require you to complete an ethics course prior to obtaining your CPA license! You will have to complete one as part of your annual CPE requirements once you’re licensed though, but you can worry about that later :).
Get Your CPA License!
Finally! After passing the CPA exam and meeting all of the education and work experience requirements above, you’ll finally be able to apply for your CPA license!
Hawaii’s application process is fairly straightforward. In order to receive your CPA license, you’ll need to complete and submit the following:
- Your CPA license application
- Education transcripts (if necessary*)
- Certification of Experience
- Three Certificate of Competence (LB-03) references dated and addressed to the Board (as part of application)
- Application fee
*Your college transcripts provided as part of your CPA exam application will already be on file. You’ll only need to provide additional transcripts if you did not meet the educational requirements for licensure when applying to sit for the CPA Exam (e.g. did not meet the 150-hour rule).
Once you’ve submitted everything noted above, then congratulations! You should be well on your way to getting your CPA license! In case you need any more info about the exam or licensing process, be sure to check out the additional resources I’ve included down below.
Additional Resources and Information
FAQ on Application and Licensing
Application Forms and Publications
Hawaii Public Accountancy Statutes
Contact Information
Hawaii Board of Public Accountancy
Office Address
DCCA-PVL P.O. Box 3469
Honolulu, HI 96801
Email: accountancy@dcca.hawaii.gov
Phone: (808) 586-2692
Additional Organizations
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To learn more about some of the things you’ll need to prepare for the CPA Exam, be sure to check out my detailed reviews of each of the top courses on the market:
