The timeline to becoming a Certified Public Accountant (CPA)

## Educational Requirements The journey to becoming a CPA begins with completing specific educational requirements: * Bachelor's degree (120 credit hours) * Additional 30 credit hours (total 150 semester hours) * Specific coursework in accounting, business, and related subjects * Requirements vary by state - check your state board at [NASBA's website](https://nasba.org/stateboards/) Most students complete these requirements through one of these paths: 1. Traditional 4-year degree + Master's in Accounting 2. 5-year combined Bachelor's/Master's program 3. Bachelor's degree + additional coursework ## CPA Exam Preparation ### Choosing a Review Course Most candidates invest in a comprehensive review course from providers like: - [Becker CPA Review](https://www.becker.com/) - [Roger CPA Review](https://accounting.uworld.com/cpa-review/) - [Wiley CPAexcel](https://www.efficientlearning.com/) - [Gleim CPA Review](https://www.gleim.com/cpa-review/) ### Study Timeline The average candidate spends 300-400 hours preparing for all four CPA exam sections: * FAR (Financial Accounting and Reporting): 100-120 hours * AUD (Auditing and Attestation): 80-100 hours * REG (Regulation): 90-110 hours * BEC (Business Environment and Concepts): 70-90 hours > **Pro Tip**: Many candidates start with FAR since it's considered the most challenging section and requires the most study time. ## The CPA Examination ### Exam Structure The CPA exam consists of four sections that must be passed within an 18-month window once the first section is passed. Each section is scored on a scale of 0-99, with a passing score of 75. A typical schedule might look like this: 1. Month 1-2: Study and pass first section 2. Month 3-4: Study and pass second section 3. Month 3-4: Study and pass third section 4. Month 7-8: Study and pass fourth section **Resources:** - [NASBA - CPA Exam](https://nasba.org/exams/cpaexam/) ## Work Experience Requirements Most states require: * 1-2 years of public accounting experience * Supervision by a licensed CPA * Documentation of work experience * Verification by employer Many candidates gain experience through internships or entry-level positions in accounting firms, corporations, or government agencies. This experience can be completed before, during, or after passing the exam sections. ## Ethics Examination Many states require: * Completion of an ethics course and examination * Usually provided by the [AICPA](https://www.aicpa-cima.com/) * Can typically be completed in 2-4 weeks ## Total Timeline Breakdown ``` Educational Requirements: 4-5 years Exam Preparation and Completion: 12-18 months Work Experience: 1-2 years Ethics Examination: 2-4 weeks ``` ## Maintaining Certification After obtaining your CPA license, you must maintain it through: * Continuing Professional Education (CPE) hours * Annual license renewal * Adherence to professional standards * State-specific requirements --- The entire process typically takes 5-7 years from starting college to becoming a licensed CPA. However, this timeline can vary significantly based on individual study pace, work commitments, state requirements, educational background, and exam pass rates. For more information on the CPA certification process and requirements, visit the [NASBA](https://nasba.org/) or [AICPA](https://www.aicpa-cima.com/) websites.

The timeline to becoming a Certified Public Accountant (CPA)

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