The requirements to become a CPA in Virginia 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 VA 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 Virginia
- 2 Additional Resources and Information
7 Simple Steps to Becoming a CPA in Virginia
Meet the Eligibility Requirements for the CPA Exam
Here are the basic age and citizenship requirements to sit for the CPA exam in Virginia.
- Minimum age requirement?: No
- US citizenship required?: No
- Virginia 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 VA CPA Education Requirements
In Virginia 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 at least a bachelor’s degree (or higher), with a concentration in accounting (or equivalent) from a U.S. accredited college, university or foreign equivalent
- Have at least 120 total semester hours
- At least 24 semester hours in upper level accounting courses (above the introductory level), including one of each of the following topics:
- Auditing
- Financial accounting
- Management accounting
- Taxation
- At least 24 semester hours in business courses
- As many as 6 hours of accounting courses that are not already included in the 24 accounting hours above may count towards the business hours requirement
- Principles or introductory accounting courses do not qualify
Requirements to obtain your CPA license:
- Have at least a bachelor’s degree (or higher), with a concentration in accounting (or equivalent) from a U.S. accredited college, university or foreign equivalent
- Have at least 150 total semester hours
- Graduate level courses are encouraged, but not required
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 Virginia are as follows:
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*Virginia‘s Notice to Schedule (NTS) window is 12 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 $20 per section 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!
VA CPA Work Experience Requirements
In addition to the education requirements discussed above, the Virginia 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 2,080 hours (i.e. 1 year) of qualifying accounting experience supervised by a licensed CPA.
- Experience can be earned in public accounting, industry, government, or academia and can be on a full- or part-time basis.
Qualifying accounting experience is defined as “involving the substantial use of accounting, financial, tax or other skills that are relevant, as determined by the Virginia Board of Accountancy, to providing services to the public or to or on behalf of an employer.”
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 Virginia State Board certification. That way when you pass, the AICPA will notify the Virginia 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!
Virginia’s application process is fairly straightforward, however it varies depending on when you passed the CPA exam. In order to receive your CPA license, you’ll need to complete and submit the following:
- Your CPA license application
- Education transcripts (if necessary*)
- CPE Requirements Certification Form
- Experience Verification Form
- Application fee ($75)
- If you’re applying for your CPA license in a calendar year after you passed the CPA Exam, you’ll also need to complete and submit the following:
- Certificates of Completion for required continuing professional education; 40 hours per year
- Certificate of Completion for the current year’s Virginia-Specific Ethics Course
*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 the CPA Exam in Virginia
More info on the Virginia Education Requirements
More info on the Virginia Licensing Requirements
Contact Information
Virginia Board for Accountancy
Office Address
9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 402
Henrico, Virginia 23233
Email: boa@boa.virginia.gov
Phone: (804) 367-8505 ; CPA examination services: (804) 367-1111
Fax: (804) 527-4409
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:
