The requirements to become a CPA in Texas 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 TX 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 Texas
- 2 Meet the Eligibility Requirements for the CPA Exam
- 3 Fulfill the TX CPA Education Requirements
- 4 Apply to Sit for the CPA Exam and Pay the Exam Fees
- 5 Study for, and PASS the CPA Exam!
- 6 TX CPA Work Experience Requirements
- 7 Pass the Ethics Exam
- 8 Obtain Your CPA License!
- 9 Additional Resources and Information
- 10 Contact Information
- 11 Bottom Line
7 Simple Steps to Becoming a CPA in Texas
Meet the Eligibility Requirements for the CPA Exam
Here are the basic age and citizenship requirements to sit for the CPA exam in Texas.
- Minimum age requirement?: No
- US citizenship required?: No
- Texas 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 TX CPA Education Requirements
Unlike some other states that let you sit for the CPA Exam while you’re still in college, in Texas you need at least 150 semester hours (or an equivalent amount of quarter hours) to sit for the CPA Exam and obtain your CPA license.
If you’d like more information, 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:
- Have at least 150 total semester hours (i.e. bachelor’s degree or higher) from an accredited college, university or foreign equivalent
- 30 semester hours (or quarter-hour equivalents) in upper level accounting courses
- 15 of these semester (or quarter-equivalent) hours must be in traditional, face-to-face courses
- Must include at least 2 semester hours in accounting or tax research
- 24 semester hours (or quarter-hour equivalents) in upper level business courses
- Must include at least 2 semester hours in accounting or business communications
- 3 semester hours (or quarter-hour equivalents) in a Board-approved ethics course
Requirements to obtain your CPA license:
- Same as above
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 Texas are as follows:
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*This includes a $20 Application of Intent Fee plus a $10 fee for each section you register for. Since Texas’ Notice to Schedule (NTS) window is only 90 days(!), 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 re-examination fee of $10/section 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!
TX CPA Work Experience Requirements
In addition to the education requirements discussed above, the Texas State Board of Accountancy requires that you have a certain amount of work experience before you can obtain your CPA license. The requirements are fairly straightforward but vary depending on the type of work you’ll be performing:
- You must have at least 1 year of non-routine accounting experience under a licensed CPA.
- Experience may be from full-time or part-time employment but must include at least 2,000 hours over a 1-3 year period.
Non-routine accounting work is defined as “applying entry level or higher professional accounting knowledge and skills to select, correct, organize, interpret, and present real-world data as accounting entries, reports, statements, and analyses extending over a diverse range of tax, accounting, assurance, and control situations.”
Pass the Ethics Exam
After passing the exam, all applicants must complete and pass an open book exam covering the Texas Board’s Rule of Professional Conduct with a passing score of at least 85%.
In addition, all candidates must complete a separate, 4-hour Board-approved ethics course. Most of the courses / exams are self-study and are much easier than the actual CPA Exam. If you’ve passed all four sections of the CPA, the ethics exam should be a piece of cake!
Obtain Your CPA License!
Whew! After passing all four sections of the CPA exam, meeting the education and work experience requirements, and completing the ethics exam, you’ll finally be ready to apply for your CPA license!
Texas’ application process is fairly straightforward. In order to receive your CPA license, you’ll then need to complete and submit the following:
- Application for CPA certificate (Initial application is $50)
- Criminal conviction background statement (if applicable)
- Oath of Office form
- Documentation of work experience
Once you’ve completed all of the requirements noted above, then you’ll be well on your way to getting your CPA license!
Be sure to check out the resources I’ve included below to help you during the application and licensing process.
Additional Resources and Information
More info on Application of Intent
Contact Information
Texas State Board of Public Accountancy
333 Guadalupe, Tower 3, Suite 900
Austin, TX 78701-3900
Email: executive@tsbpa.state.tx.us
Phone: (512) 305-7800
Fax: (512) 305-7854
Additional Organizations
Bottom Line
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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:
