How to Become a CPA in Virginia 2024

To meet the Virginia CPA education requirements to sit for the CPA exam, you’ll need to have a bachelor’s degree with an accounting concentration or equivalent and a total of 120 semester hours. 24 semester hours of accounting courses above the introductory/foundational level including courses in Auditing, Financial Accounting, Managerial/Cost Accounting, and Taxation. 24 semester hours of business courses with no more than six semester hours of what could be considered upper-level accounting courses.

Once you have verified that you meet the education requirements, the first step is to set up a VBOA account.

After you have created an account, log in to submit the Initial Application and the fee of $120.

You would need to have your college or university send your official transcripts through mail to VBOA at 9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 402, Henrico, VA 23233.

Once your initial application has been approved, within three to five days you will receive a payment coupon in the NASBA Candidate portal that you’ll use to pay for the exam. The payment coupon is valid for six months.

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

Upon payment for the examination fees, you will receive a receipt of your NTS. Make sure that everything is correct as it will be used at the testing centers. If the names do not match, immediately contact the Board to request a correction. You will not be allowed to test if the name on the identification documents does not exactly match the name on the NTS.

With the NTS, then you can schedule your actual exam on the Prometric website at www.prometric.com.
The NTS is valid for 12 months.

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.

After passing the Uniform CPA Examination, you must complete the appropriate education requirements to become a licensed CPA, which totals 150 semester hours

To meet the Virginia CPA experience requirements, you must complete at least 2,080 work hours, or equivalent to one year of full-time employment. Whether other skills are relevant shall be determined by the VBOA on a case-by-case basis. Self-employment does not meet the definition of experience.

You must also have been employed in academia, a firm, government, or industry in any capacity involving the substantial use of accounting, financial, tax, or other skills that are relevant

The supervisor must complete the Experience Verification Form and be submitted by email at boa@boa.virginia.gov, fax to (804) 527-4409, or mail to the VBOA at 9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 402, Henrico, VA 23233.

After passing the CPA exam, the candidate must also meet the Virginia CPA ethics exam requirements by taking one additional test: the AICPA’s Ethics exam. The association offers an 11-hour self-study course, after which you can take the open-book test. The Ethics Examination is not expected to be particularly tough, but you must pass with a minimum score of 90 to get your license.

The Professional Ethics course can be found here.

You would also need to sign a CPE Requirements Certification form confirming that you’re agreeing to complete the required CPE hours moving forward.

After you have completed your professional education, passed the exams, and retain the necessary work experience, you have fulfilled a majority of the CPA license requirements. You’ll need to complete the online application at VBOA and wait to be notified regarding submitting your supporting documentation on education requirements, experience qualifications, and continuing professional education, including the annual VBOA-approved ethics course.

All CPA license applications must provide a U.S. Social Security number or control number issued by the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles. Applicants without a U.S. SSN or control number issued by the Virginia DMV are not eligible for a Virginia CPA license.

Now that you have completed all the necessary steps to be a Certified Public Accountant in Virginia. You will be notified by Oregon’s Board of Accountancy of any missing documents in your application. If the application is complete, you’ll be issued a license allowing you to practice. Your certificate will be sent to you through the mail.