The requirements to become a CPA in the U.S. Virgin Islands 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 VI 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 the U.S. Virgin Islands
- 2 Additional Resources and Information
7 Simple Steps to Becoming a CPA in the U.S. Virgin Islands
Meet the Eligibility Requirements for the CPA Exam
Here are the basic age and citizenship requirements to sit for the CPA exam in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
- Minimum age requirement?: 18
- US citizenship required?: No
- U.S. VI 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 VI CPA Education Requirements
In the U.S. Virgin Islands you need at least 150 semester hours to get your CPA license but only 120 semester hours 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:
- Have completed at least 120 semester (or 180 quarter) hours AND obtain a bachelor’s degree (or higher) in accounting from a U.S. accredited college, university or foreign equivalent
- Have at least 21 semester hours in accounting courses covering the following topics
- Financial accounting
- Auditing
- Taxation
- Management/Cost accounting
- Have at least 9 semester hours in business courses covering the following subjects
- Business law
- Finance
- Information systems
Requirements to obtain your CPA license:
There are three different routes you may take to meeting the 150-hour requirement in MA:
Option 1: Earn a graduate degree in accounting from an AACSB-accredited college or university
Option 2: Earn a graduate degree in accounting, business administration or law from a nationally or regionally accredited college or university or foreign equivalent, including the following required curriculum:
- At least 30 semester (45 quarter) hours of accounting at the undergrad level OR 18 semester (27 quarter) hours of accounting at the graduate level, covering the following topics:
- Financial accounting
- Auditing
- Taxation
- Management accounting
- At least 24 semester (36 quarter) hours of business courses (not including accounting courses) at the undergraduate level OR 18 semester (27 quarter) hours at the graduate level, or an equivalent combination of the two
Option 3: Have completed at least 150 semester (or 225 quarter) hours AND obtain a bachelor’s degree from a U.S. accredited college, university or foreign equivalent, including the following required curriculum:
- At least 30 semester (45 quarter) hours of accounting courses covering the following topics:
- Financial accounting
- Auditing
- Taxation
- Management accounting
- At least 24 semester (36 quarter) hours of business courses (not including accounting courses) covering the following topics:
- Business law
- Information systems
- Finance
- At least one (1) course in:
- Economics
- Business organizations
- Professional ethics
- Business communication
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 the U.S. Virgin Islands are as follows:
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*The U.S. Virgin Islands‘ 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 scaled re-examination fee ($117, $137, $157 or $177 for 1, 2, 3, or 4 sections, respectively) 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!
VI CPA Work Experience Requirements
In addition to the education requirements discussed above, the U.S. Virgin Islands 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 year of experience in public accounting supervised by a licensed CPA
- Experience may be earned on a full-time or part-time basis, and by one or more employers
- All work hours must have been performed over the course of a 1-3 year period and shall include no less than 2,000 hours
Path 2: At least 1 year of experience in non-public accounting supervised by a licensed CPA
- Experience may be earned on a full-time or part-time basis, and by one or more employers
- All work hours must have been performed over the course of a 3-9 year period and shall include no less than 2,000 hours
Under either path, qualifying accounting experience is defined as “providing any type of services or advise using accounting attest, compilation, management advisory, financial advisory, tax and consulting skills.”
Pass an Ethics Exam?
Good news! Unlike some other states, the U.S. Virgin Islands Board doesn’t require you to complete an ethics course prior to obtaining your CPA license! You may 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!
The U.S. Virgin Islands’ 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 ($175)
*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 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
More info on Application Process
FAQ on Application and Licensing
Contact Information
U.S. Virgin Islands Board of Public Accountancy
ST. CROIX
V.I. Board of Architects, Engineers and Land Surveyors
Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs
3000 Golden Rock Shopping Center, Suite 9
Christiansted, VI 00820-4311
Phone: (340) 713-DLCA(3522)
Fax: (340) 718-6908
ST. THOMAS
V.I. Board of Architects, Engineers and Land Surveyors
Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs
Property & Procurement Bldg.
No.1 Sub Base,
St. Thomas, VI 00802
Phone: (340) 714-DLCA(3522)
Fax: (340) 776-8303
Email: nathalie.hodge@dlca.vi.gov
Additional Organizations
Virgin Islands Society of CPAs
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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:
