Douglas Olsen
The path to becoming a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Pennsylvania has traditionally included 150 academic credits and a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution. However, recent developments indicate that Pennsylvania is advocating for alternate educational pathways to CPA licensure. International students or those who have completed their education outside the United States can apply for the Pennsylvania CPA Exam, but they must complete an international evaluation and meet specific requirements. This includes submitting official transcripts and having their coursework adhere to certain standards. Pennsylvania also has unique rules and requirements for the CPA Exam and licensure, including a minimum age requirement of 18 and no residency or citizenship requirements.
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What You'll Learn
International student CPA exam application process
International students can take the CPA exam and become licensed CPAs in Pennsylvania. The process for international students is the same as for US citizens. However, international students must meet certain requirements and complete specific steps to qualify for the exam and licensure. Here is a detailed guide on the application process for international students:
Education Requirements:
To qualify for the CPA exam, international students need a 4-year bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution. The degree should include 150 total credit hours, with a minimum number of courses in accounting and business. Most states mandate coursework in business law, accounting, finance, taxation, and auditing. Pennsylvania requires 150 academic credits for CPA licensure, which is more than the typical bachelor's program of 120 credits. Therefore, international students will need to obtain additional credits to meet this requirement.
Transcript Evaluation:
If you completed any education outside the United States, you must undergo a transcript evaluation process. This process will determine how your international credits transfer and whether they meet the 150-credit hour requirement. You may need to take additional courses to make up for any credit deficiencies.
Work Experience:
All jurisdictions mandate work experience for licensure. In many states, this experience must be directly supervised by an active CPA with a valid US license. However, some states may accept work experience verified by an active CPA licensed by a US jurisdiction or an international certification equivalent. After passing the CPA exam, Pennsylvania requires one year (1,600 hours) of work experience in government, industry, academia, or public practice.
Identification and Social Security Number:
International candidates must provide a valid passport as the primary form of identification for the exam. While some states require a Social Security Number or citizenship, Pennsylvania does not have this requirement. However, you must be at least 18 years old to qualify for licensure in the state.
Application Process:
International students can apply for authorization to take the exam through NASBA's Pennsylvania portal. NASBA will review your application, transcripts, and any international evaluations. You must apply to each exam section individually and pass all four sections within 18 months. Pennsylvania does not require an ethics exam, but other states may mandate this additional exam.
Continuing Education:
To maintain your CPA license, you must complete 80 hours of continuing professional education (CPE) within two years of your initial license. At least 20 hours must be completed each calendar year, including a minimum of four hours covering ethics.
It is important to stay informed about Pennsylvania's specific requirements and any potential reforms. The state is advocating for alternate educational pathways to CPA licensure, which may impact your path to becoming a licensed CPA in the state.
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Academic credits required for international students
International students aspiring to become Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) in Pennsylvania should be aware of the state's specific academic credit requirements. Obtaining a CPA license in Pennsylvania traditionally necessitates 150 academic credits, including a bachelor's degree. This exceeds the typical 120 credits required for a bachelor's degree, creating a need for 30 additional credits. These supplementary credits can be attained through various pathways, such as enrolling in a master's program or pursuing additional coursework.
It is important to note that the academic standards for CPA licensure in Pennsylvania extend beyond merely accumulating credits. The state mandates that your academic credits must be sourced from a national accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. If you have obtained your degree from a foreign university, your academic credentials will need to be evaluated by specific agencies, including Foreign Academic Credentials Services, Inc., Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc., or Josef Silny & Associates, Inc. This evaluation process ensures that your international degree meets the academic standards expected by Pennsylvania's CPA licensure requirements.
The distribution of your academic credits across different subjects is also a crucial consideration. Pennsylvania's CPA requirements include a minimum of 24 semester credits covering core areas such as accounting, auditing, business law, economics, finance, taxation, or technology. Additionally, you will need to acquire 12 extra credits specifically in accounting, auditing, or taxation coursework. This ensures that you possess a solid foundation in the key disciplines relevant to the CPA profession.
Beyond academic credits, Pennsylvania's CPA licensure process also entails gaining practical experience. After completing your academic requirements, you will need to accumulate at least 1,600 hours of work experience through paid employment in private industry, public practice, government, or academia. This experience must be completed within five years of your license application date and is essential for developing the practical skills necessary for a successful career as a CPA.
While the traditional path to CPA licensure in Pennsylvania has been outlined, it is worth noting that the state is advocating for alternative educational pathways. In February 2025, Pennsylvania proposed legislation that could introduce a licensure path exchanging the 30 additional credits for an extra year of work experience. This proposal aims to address the nationwide shortage of accounting talent and make the CPA profession more accessible. Therefore, it is advisable to stay updated with Pennsylvania's CPA requirements, as reforms may be implemented to enhance accessibility to the profession.
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Work experience requirements for international students
International students can become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Pennsylvania. However, they must meet certain requirements.
To become a CPA in Pennsylvania, international students must complete 150 semester credits, including 24 credits in accounting and auditing, business law, technology, finance, or tax subjects. They also need 12 additional accounting credits and a bachelor's degree. Additionally, they must gain 1,600 hours of professional accounting experience within five years of their license application date. This work experience must be completed under the supervision of a licensed CPA and can be gained through employment in government, industry, academia, or public practice.
International students must also pass the Uniform CPA Examination, which consists of four sections that must be completed within 18 months. They must also complete 80 hours of continuing professional education (CPE) within two years of their initial license application, with at least 20 hours completed each calendar year, including a minimum of four hours covering ethics.
Before beginning the process, international students should ensure they are familiar with Pennsylvania's specific requirements and evaluate their academic credits through one of the recognized agencies: Foreign Academic Credentials Services, Inc., Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc., or Josef Silny & Associates, Inc.
It is important to note that while Pennsylvania does not require residency, applicants must be at least 18 years old and have a Social Security number.
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CPA exam structure and content
To become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Pennsylvania, candidates must adhere to a unique set of rules and requirements. The CPA exam is administered by the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA), which collects information about candidates, distributes advisory scores, and maintains a database of candidate records. The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) develops the Uniform CPA Examination with input from NASBA and state boards of accountancy.
Exam Structure
The CPA Exam consists of four sections, three of which are core sections, and one is a discipline section chosen by the test taker. The three core sections are AUD, FAR, and REG, while the discipline section can be chosen from BAR/ISC/TCP. Candidates must apply to each section individually and can take the sections in any order. However, all four sections must be passed within 18 months (with plans to extend this to 30 months) to meet Pennsylvania CPA requirements. The current processing time for applications is six to eight weeks, and candidates must take the exam section within the timeframe specified on their Notice to Schedule (NTS).
Content
To be eligible to apply for the CPA Exam in Pennsylvania, candidates must have completed a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution with at least 120 semester hours, including 24 semester credits in accounting subjects such as accounting, auditing, business law, economics, finance, tax, or technology. Candidates are also required to have one year of work experience, totalling 1,600 hours, in areas such as accounting, attest, compilation, financial advisory, management advisory, tax, or consulting. This work experience must be gained within five years of applying for licensure and can be completed before or after passing the exam. Additionally, candidates must meet Pennsylvania's good moral character standards and submit a Moral Character Reference Form with signed statements from three references, including at least one licensed CPA.
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CPA licensure and renewal requirements
The requirements to obtain a CPA license in Pennsylvania include education, examination, and experience. The path to licensure traditionally includes 150 academic credits, which is more than the 120 credits that comprise most bachelor's programs. However, Pennsylvania may be headed for reforms that make the profession more accessible, such as introducing an alternative licensure path that exchanges the 30 additional credits for an extra year of work experience.
To sit for the CPA Exam in Pennsylvania, candidates must have obtained a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution or university with at least 120 semester hours, including 24 semester credits in accounting and auditing, finance, business law, economics, or tax. Additionally, candidates must have completed 150 semester hours to apply for CPA licensure in the state.
Candidates must also pass the Uniform CPA Examination, which consists of four parts that must be passed within a rolling 18-month period. The exam includes a Business Environment and Concepts section that covers general business concepts and international business. After passing the exam, candidates must complete one year (1,600 hours) of work experience through employment in government, industry, academia, or public practice within five years of the license application date. The experience must be verified by a licensed CPA.
For CPA renewal in Pennsylvania, there is a \$100 biennial renewal fee, and CPAs must renew their certification every two years, from January 1 to December 31. CPAs must also meet the Continuing Professional Education (CPE) requirements, which include obtaining 80 hours of CPE credits per biennial period, with a minimum of 20 credit hours per year. Four of these hours must be in ethics, and there are additional requirements for those who provide attest services.
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Frequently asked questions
To get a CPA in Pennsylvania, you must be at least 18 years old and have a Social Security number. You must also have a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution with at least 120 semester hours, including 24 semester credits in accounting and auditing, finance, business law, economics, or tax. Additionally, you need 150 semester hours to apply for CPA licensure. After passing the CPA exam, you must complete one year (1,600 hours) of work experience in the public or private sector.
To apply for the CPA exam in Pennsylvania, you must create an Okta Account on the new CPA Portal. You will need to submit an education evaluation application with a $90 fee and ensure that your educational transcripts are sent to NASBA directly from your institution. If you have completed your education outside the United States, you must use the services of an approved foreign credentials evaluation service.
CPAs in Pennsylvania must renew their certification every two years, from January 1 to December 31. To renew their license, CPAs must complete 80 hours of Continuing Professional Education (CPE) in subjects relevant to professional competence, with a minimum of 20 credit hours per year.
