How to Become a CPA in South Carolina 2024

The South Carolina CPA education requirements to sit for the CPA exam are all applicants in South Carolina must have a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution or university with a concentration or major in accounting. Candidates must finish 150 semester hours or 225 quarter hours in several course subjects to meet the CPA Exam requirements in South Carolina.

Once you’ve earned at least 120 semester hours of credit, including 24 semester hours of accounting and 24 semester hours of business courses, CPA Examination Services allows you to register for your NTS online (CPAES).

In South Carolina, taking all four portions of the CPA test costs $1,379.20 plus a $90 education evaluation application fee. The registration price for the re-examination varies according to the number of sections you sign up for.

Click here to see a breakdown of the South Carolina CPA exam costs.

After receiving your NTS, the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) will determine your eligibility to test and issue your Notice to Schedule (NTS) for the Uniform CPA Exam via the method you selected when you applied to take the exam. You will schedule your exam through Prometric’s website.

The exam is now administered by the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) in South Carolina. After completing 120 semester hours of education, including 24 hours in accounting and business, a candidate may apply for the exam via the NASBA website.

The CPA exam consists of the three core sections and candidates would need to select one of the three discipline to demonstrate deeper skills and knowledge, allowing candidates to choose a specialization. There is no set order in which the exam portions must be completed. You must pass each section with a score of 75 or higher within 18 months.

To meet the South Carolina CPA experience requirements, prospective South Carolina CPAs must earn at least one year (2,000 hours) of experience to qualify for licensure. The experience can be obtained through full-time or part-time employment. Experience gained in the public, private, or government sectors must be overseen by a CPA who is currently licensed. Experience may only be accumulated after the candidate has completed the 24-semester hour core accounting education requirement.

Applicants must also meet the South Carolina CPA ethics exam requirements by passing the Professional Ethics: The AICPA’s Comprehensive Course For Licensure.

Once all of the requirements for licensure have been satisfied, a candidate may apply for a license. Candidates must complete the online electronic CPA licensing application and submit it to the Board together with all required documentation and payments.

CPAs must renew their licenses and provide documentation of continuing education (CE) by February 1 of each renewal year once they are licensed.

CPAs in South Carolina must complete at least 40 hours of continuing education each year. No more than 20 hours of the 40 hours may be spent on self-study programs, and no more than eight hours may be spent on personal development subjects. CPAs must complete six hours of continuing education in ethics for each three-year renewal cycle, two of which must be relevant to South Carolina Rules.