The requirements to become a CPA in Alaska 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 AK 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
- 1 7 Simple Steps to Becoming a CPA in Alaska
- 2 Additional Resources and Information
7 Simple Steps to Becoming a CPA in Alaska
Meet the Eligibility Requirements for the CPA Exam
Here are the basic age and citizenship requirements to sit for the CPA exam in Alaska.
- Minimum age requirement?: 19
- US citizenship required?: No
- Alaska 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 AK CPA Education Requirements
In Alaska you need at least 150 semester hours to get your CPA license but less than that to sit for the CPA Exam, which means you can sit for the exam while you’re still in college!
Here’s a detailed breakdown of exactly what’s needed to sit for the CPA Exam and for licensure:
Requirements to sit for the CPA Exam:
There are 4 different paths you may take to qualify to sit for the CPA Exam in Alaska. Let’s take a look at each:
- Path 1: Obtain a bachelor’s degree (or higher) from a U.S. accredited college, university or foreign equivalent with a concentration in Accounting or the equivalent
- Path 2: Obtain a bachelor’s degree (or higher) from a U.S. accredited college, university or foreign equivalent with a minimum of 15 semester (or 22 quarter) credit hours in accounting subjects
- Path 3: Obtain a bachelor’s degree (or higher) from a U.S. accredited college, university or foreign equivalent with a minimum of 1 year of public accounting experience under the direct supervision of a certified public accountant
- Path 4: Within 18 semester (or 27 quarter) credit hours of meeting the undergraduate educational requirements of AS 08.04.120 (e.g. the 150-semester hour rule) and completed at least 15 semester (or 22 quarter) hours of accounting subjects.
Requirements to obtain your CPA license:
- Obtain a bachelor’s degree (or higher) with an Accounting concentration from a U.S. accredited college, university or foreign equivalent
- Completion of at least 150 semester (or 225 quarter) hours
- Accounting concentration must include the following curriculum:
- At least 24 semester credit hours of accounting courses
- At least 9 total semester credit hours of business law, economics, and college math/computer science.
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 Alaska are as follows:
*Alaska‘s Notice to Schedule (NTS) window is 6 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, a $90 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!
AK CPA Work Experience Requirements
In addition to the education requirements discussed above, the Alaska Board of Public Accountancy requires that you have a certain amount of work experience before you can obtain your CPA license. The requirements are fairly straightforward
- At least 2 years of qualified accounting experience supervised by a licensed CPA
- Qualifying accounting experience is defined as “providing any type of service or advice involving the use of accounting, attest, compilation, management advisory, financial advisory, tax, or consulting skills.”
- Experience may be earned on a full-time or part-time basis, and by one or more employers
- One year of experience must consist of full or part-time employment that extends over a period of not less than a year and not more than four years and includes not fewer than 2,000 hours
Pass the AICPA Ethics Exam
The AICPA Ethics Exam is a self-study course that may be completed any time before, during, or after you sit for the CPA exam so long as it’s completed within 2 years of submitting your CPA license application. The exam consists of 40 multiple-choice questions that must be answered with a score of 90% or higher. To prepare for it, you’ll receive a 100-page textbook from the AICPA upon registration.
You can take the exam online or via a paper form that you’ll submit through the mail. You’ll have three attempts to pass the exam if you take the online version. After that, you’ll need to complete the exam via the paper / snail-mail route.
The exam and related materials can cost anywhere from $209 – $270, depending on whether you register as an AICPA member or not.
Pro-tip: When ordering the AICPA exam, be sure to let them know you’re taking the exam for your Alaska State Board certification. That way when you pass, the AICPA will notify the Alaska State Board of your passing score.
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!
Alaska’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*)
- Verification of Experience (as part of application)
- Three character references dated and addressed to the Board (as part of application)
- Criminal Offender Record Information form
- Application fee ($300)
*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
Alaska Accounting Statutes and Regulations
Contact Information
State of Alaska Board of Public Accountancy
Office Address
550 W 7th AVE, STE 1500
Anchorage, AK 99501-3567
Email: BoardOfPublicAccountancy@Alaska.Gov
Phone: (907) 269-8160
Fax: (907) 269-8156
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:
