CPA REQUIREMENTS
NORTH CAROLINA
BOARD OF CPA EXAMINERS
1101 Oberlin Road, Suite 104
PO Box 12827
Raleigh, NC 27605-2827
Main (919) 733 - 4222
Examinations (919) 733 - 4224
Requests for applications only 1-800-211-7930
REQUIREMENTS TO SIT FOR THE CPA EXAM
EDUCATION Applications must include certified transcripts
(in an sealed envelope) or a letter from the registrar if the student
is taking the exam prior to graduation. Students may take the exam within
90 days of graduation (at the end of the semester before they finish their
degree).
The current minimum education is a BS in Business Administration with a
Concentration in Accounting or a two-year degree which includes the same
courses as an accounting concentration along with two years of experience.
An concentration consists of 30 semester hours in accounting including
Principles of Accounting, Income Taxation and Business Law. ECSU's BS in
Accounting Degree more than meets this requirement.
After the year 2000, 150 semester hours of college credit will be required
before licensure. However candidates may still take the exam if they meet
the above education requirement; even if they have to earn additional
college credit after passing the exam to meet the 150 hour licensure
requirement.
MORAL CHARACTER Applications must include three statements attesting
to the applicant's good moral character signed by people not related by
blood or marriage.
PHOTOGRAPHS Applications to sit for the CPA Exam must include two
recent photographs of the candidate's face. Any print shop will be glad to
provide passport-type pictures.
CONDITIONAL PROVISIONS Passing is the grade of 75 or higher.
Conditional credit may be allowed for a period of three years if candidates
pass at least two sections and make no grade less than 50. Conditional credit
means that the candidate does not have to re-take the parts that were passed,
but rather only has to take the sections that were failed.
PROCTORING Applicants may take the exam in any state. However the
other state will charge an additional fee for proctoring, and the service
is on a space-available basis.
FEES Currently the NC Board currently charges $175 to sit for the exam. However
the fee may change at any time, so call to verify the amount.
150 HOUR LEGISLATION
NOTICE FROM THE NC BOARD OF CPA EXAMINERS
On July 1, 1997 the General Assembly of North Carolina passed "An Act to
Amend the Education Requirements of Certified Public Accountants." Although
most jurisdictions have passed the 150- hour requirement as a prerequisite
for sitting for the Uniform CPA Examination, North Carolina's legislation
has no bearing on sitting for the exam. Instead, the individual must
earn 150 hours of college-level coursework, including a bachelors degree,
prior to applying for licensure, but NOT necessarily before taking the exam.
The legislation, which takes effect for applications for licensure postmarked
or received after December 31, 2000, states that to be eligible to receive
a CPA certificate in North Carolina, the applicant must satisfactorily
complete 150 semester hours of college-level coursework including at least
a bachelors degree with a concentration in accounting (BS or MS in accounting
are acceptable). In addition, the legislation states that the Board may
specify the additional required courses. The courses must be earned at a
regionally accredited college or university (all community colleges and
universities in the NC system are so accredited.)
In addition, the new legislation requires that the applicant for licensure
meet at least ONE of the following work experience requirements:
- One year of experience in the field of accounting under the direct
supervision of a properly licensed CPA
OR
- Four years of experience either:
- A. in the field of accounting (not under the direction supervision of a CPA)
- B. teaching accounting courses full-time in a regionally accredited
four-year college or university (full-time is defined as 12 hours per semester
of accounting, business law, finance, computer applications, personnel management,
economics, statistics or other courses that the Board approves.)
- C. teaching college transfer accounting courses full-time (see above for
definitions) at a regionally accredited college or technical institute
- D. any combination of the above experiences determined by the board to
be substantially equivalent.
Remember, the 150 hour legislation only applies to licensure, NOT sitting for the CPA Exam.
If you have any questions about the 150 semester hour requirement for
licensure and how if affects CPA candidates, please contact the NC Board of
CPA Examiners at (919) 733 - 1425; see NC Board of CPA Examiners.
Information on the Uniform CPA Exam (click on "students")
