California CPA Exam Requirements

“As it lay there with the shadows of the mountains brilliantly photographed upon its still surface, I thought it must surely be the fairest picture the whole earth affords.”— Mark Twain. View the exam-sitting requirements, licensure requirements, and contact information for the California State Board of Accountancy below.

CPA Exam Requirements

Check if you meet the requirements to sit for the exam.

Age: No Age Requirement
Education: Bachelor's degree of 120 hours is required to sit for the exam. Must meet 1 of 4 semester hour requirements
Citizenship: Citizenship is not required.
Residency: Residency is not required.

Additional Education Requirements

CPA Licensure Requirements

Here’s what you need to become licensed in the state of California.

Education: Bachelor's Degree of 150 semester hours is required.
Experience: "Pathway 1: 2 years Pathway 2: 1 year Both are general experience which includes any type of service or advice involving the use of accounting, attest, compilation, management advisory, financial advisory, tax or consulting skills. For those wishing to sign attest reports, the experience shall include 500 hours of attest."
Ethics: Must pass California Professional Ethics Exam.

State Board Contacts

Get in touch with your local State Board of Accountancy.

California Board of Accountancy
916-263-3680
2000 Evergreen Street, Suite 250
Sacramento, CA
State Board Website

Fees

Initial Application Fee $50.00
AUD $192.03
BEC $192.03
FAR $172.51
REG $172.50
Total $779.07

Schedule Your Exam

View local Prometric testing centers and schedule your exam.

To receive your CPA license additional requirements may be necessary. As fees and rules may change, we recommend contacting your State Board of Accountancy for more information.

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