Learn The 7 Simple Steps to Qualifying To Become A Licensed CPA in Pennsylvania:

If you would like a more detailed checklist to make this process even easier, please download your Free CPA Exam Application Checklist PDF below:




Pennsylvania Requirements Overview:

Pennsylvania's (PA) CPA exam requirements are very specific relating to accounting and business courses that are required to be taken prior to sitting for the exam.

Follow each caption below to ensure that you are qualified to sit for the exam.

Disclosure: Please note that I do my best to keep these requirements up to date but seeing as there are more than 50 states and nations with individual requirements it is difficult for me to keep up with them all. Please verify each requirement with your state board of accountancy to ensure 100% accuracy! 

 

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Education Requirements

What are the education requirements in Pennsylvania?

150 Hours Requirement

PA does not require 150 hours to sit for the exam, but you will need 150 hours to become a licensed CPA.

NOTE: The PA State board refers to the CPA license as the “CPA certificate”. This is not to be confused with the CPA certificates available in two-tier states.  

Accounting Course Requirements

PA requires 24 accounting credit hours with a bachelors degree. Required courses include accounting and auditing, business law, finance or tax subjects 

Business Course Requirements

PA does not specify specific business courses required to sit.

Business Law Requirements

PA allows business law as part of your required accounting courses

Ethics Exam

No Ethics Exam Requirement


Age & Residency Requirements

What are the age and residency requirements in Pennsylvania?

US Citizenship Requirement

You are NOT Required for Pennsylvania to be US Citizen to sit for the CPA exam, but a SSN is required. 

Residency Requirement

Pennsylvania does NOT require you to be a resident, employee, OR have an office in the state for you to take the CPA exam.  

Minimum Age to Sit for the CPA Exam

Pennsylvania requires the applicant to be at least 18 prior to sitting for the CPA exam 

Pennsylvania CPA Exam Fees

How much does it cost to take the CPA exam in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania has fairly standard exam fee rates. If you need to re-take a part there is a $50.00 re-application fee that you will have to pay.

Initial Application Fee:

$95

Audit:

$195.35

Financial:

$195.35

Regulation:

$176.25

Business:

$176.25

Total:

$838.20

Special Fees:

$50.00 Re-examination application fee


Already Passed The CPA Exam in Pennsylvania? Here Are The CPA License Requirements

To obtain your CPA license PA requires:

Education: 
- Obtain 150 credit hours from any regional accredited educational institution
-24 credit hours of accounting courses
-An additional 12 credit hours related to accounting, audit, or tax of a content satisfactory to the board.

Work Experience:
- 1 year of work experience related to your graduate or undergraduate degree
- 1 year of experience = 1,600 hours
- 400 hours must be related to audit activity in public or internal audit
- Your work must be supervised and verified by an Active CPA


Pennsylvania State Board Contact Info

Pennsylvania State Board of Accountancy
2601 North Third St.
Harrisburg, PA
17110

Web: www.dos.state.pa.us/account
Phone: 717-783-1404
Fax: 717-705-5540
Email: ST-ACCOUNTANCY@state.pa.us
Email: cpaes-pa@nasba.org


Who Is Bryan Kesler, CPAABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Bryan Kesler, CPA is the founder of Kesler CPA Review & Ultimate CPA Exam Guide which earned him a spot on CPA Practice Advisor's Top 20 Under 40.

He has helped thousands of CPA candidates pass the CPA exam since 2013. You can contact him via email bryan@cpaexamguide.com


What's Next?

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