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Home > Individual CPAs > Requirements

Requirements

In order to use the CPA title in Virginia, an individual must be licensed in Virginia or a substantially equivalent state or jurisdiction. 

Requirements to obtain a CPA license include:

  1. Passing all four sections of the CPA exam within an 18-month time period.
    • Candidates who have passed the CPA exam in Virginia already have an online account. To apply for initial licensure, please login to the existing CPA exam record, begin a new application and pay the non-refundable application fee of $75.
  2. Applicants who passed the CPA exam in a state other than Virginia, create a new online account to apply for an initial CPA license and pay the non-refundable application fee of $75 upon submission of the online application.
  3. Completing the AICPA self-study Professional Ethics: AICPA’s Comprehensive Course (For Licensure) with a score of 90% or better. The applicant may mail, fax or email a copy of the course certificate, with the score, to the VBOA. Questions may be directed to the AICPA Professional Ethics Division at ethics@aicpa.org or the Ethics Hotline at 888-777-7077.
  4. Completing the CPE Requirements Certification Form.
  5. Completing the Experience Verification Form.

CPAs who hold a license in another state or jurisdiction can apply for licensure in Virginia after completing the following requirements and submitting them to the VBOA.

Licensure from a substantially equivalent state or jurisdiction

  1. Create an online account to apply for licensure.
  2. Complete the Professional Ethics: AICPA’s Comprehensive Course with a score of 90% or better.
  3. Request a Verification of Licensure from a substantially equivalent state or jurisdiction.

Licensure from a non-substantially equivalent state or jurisdiction

  1. Create an online account to apply for licensure.
  2. Complete the Professional Ethics: AICPA’s Comprehensive Course with a score of 90% or better.
  3. Request a Verification of Licensure from a substantially equivalent state or jurisdiction.
  4. Submit college transcripts.
  5. Submit the required CPE.
  6. Submit an Experience Verification Form.