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Kansas CPA Exam Requirements
If you are wondering about how to become a CPA, this guide to Kansas CPA exam requirements will supply you with detailed all the information that you need.
A Certified Public Accountant (CPA) is a highly qualified professional who provides financial and management advice to individuals, companies, and other businesses. If you are an aspiring CPA in Kansas, then you should check the Kansas CPA Exam Requirements, as it will help you know all the things you need to be qualified as a CPA in Kansas. Keep reading below to learn everything that you need.
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Summary of Kansas CPA Requirements
| Credit hours to sit for the CPA exam | 150 |
| Bachelor’s required to sit for the CPA exam | Yes |
| Credit hours in accounting subjects to sit for the CPA exam | 30 |
| Credit hours in business subjects to sit for the CPA exam | 42 |
| Credit hours in written and oral communications to sit for the CPA exam | 11 |
| Total credit hours to receive a CPA license | 150 |
| Work experience required to receive a CPA license | 1 Year |
| Ethics exam required to get a CPA license | Yes |
| Kansas resident | Yes |
General Requirements
To satisfy the state residency requirement, you must submit proof of residence. A valid state-issued driver’s license or a copy of a mortgage or bill that confirms your residency in the state are acceptable documents. You may also provide proof of ownership if you run a business, a letter from a Kansas-based public accounting firm where you work, or a copy of military orders proving your station in the state. While candidates do not need to be US citizens, they must be Kansas residents.
AGE REQUIREMENT
Kansas has no minimum age restriction for taking the CPA, so if you meet all of the other prerequisites, you can take the CPA at whatever age you like.
Education Requirement for the CPA Exam in Kansas
Credit Requirements for Kansas CPA License
All candidates must have 150 semester hours of college credit and a bachelor’s degree or higher in accounting or business, according to the Kansas Board of Accountancy (KSBOA).
With a regular bachelor’s degree in accounting requiring just 120 semester hours, pursuing a post-baccalaureate certificate or master’s degree in accounting is the most tried and true approach to obtain the 30 additional credits necessary to become a CPA (Certified Public Accountant) in Kansas. Many of these programs are entirely online. There are also specialized five-year CPA track programs that combine a bachelor’s and master’s curriculum to provide you with the 150 semester hours required to satisfy Kansas CPA standards.
Accepted Educational Institutions
The Kansas Board of Accountancy (KSBOA) recognizes all accounting degrees and credits earned at institutions accredited by regional agencies recognized by the US government. See This database.
Correspondence and online courses are allowed if you received credit for them from a KSBOA-approved institution, and they appear on your official transcripts.
Required Courses
The procedure’s general education courses requirements element is the most time-consuming and arguably the most difficult. Before you begin, ensure that your chosen universities are regionally certified by KSBOA-recognized bodies. If the board does not accept your curriculum, you may need to take more courses or find another method to practice accounting without a licensed CPA. Before beginning your study, you should speak with practicing CPAs to see how they completed their schooling and see if they have any advice.
Forty-two semester hours of business and general education classes. These hours must include at least some of the following:
- Macro and microeconomics
- One upper-level economics course
- Two courses covering business law college algebra
- Algebra or some other higher-level math
- Statistics
- Computer science
- Finance
- Management
- Marketing
At least 30 semesters or 45 quarter credits in accounting theory and practice courses, such as:
- Financial accounting (intermediate or advanced course or course in financial accounting theory)
- Managerial accounting (intermediate or advanced level beyond introductory level)
- auditing course
- income tax course, and
- Accounting systems (post-basic computer course)
Eleven hours of written and spoken communication study. You might take one of the following courses:
- Technical writing
- Business communications
- Public Speaking
- Interpersonal communications
30 hours learning accounting theory and practice, including but not limited to:
- Upper-level financial accounting
- Upper-level managerial accounting
- Auditing
- Upper-level accounting systems
Candidates may earn up to six credits toward the accounting concentration through any of the following methods: advanced placement classes, credit by examination, credit for military education, credit through experience, and pass-fail courses, as long as the credits are focused on the subjects required for the accounting concentration. Internships can be used to fulfill the 150-hour requirement but not the accounting concentration.
Foreign Education
Any international credentialing assessment agency is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services. Evaluation Services must analyze all foreign transcripts. The assessment service must give a course-by-course evaluation of KSBOA requirements. The judgment should also consider if you studied English as a foreign language.
Take the Uniform CPA Exam in Kansas
Applying for the CPA Exam
Following completion of the Kansas CPA exam requirements and completion of the academic requirements to sit for the CPA exam, proceed as follows:
- Fill out the online CPA Exam Services application at the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy. You must also request that all universities you attended send official transcripts to CPA Exam Services, located at the location listed below. If you apply online, you can pay by credit card or a certified check, credit card, or money order if you use it on paper. Make your check or money order out to CPA Examination Services and include your name and exam section in the memo line. The paper application form and accompanying enclosures will be sent to:
- CPA Examination Services – Kansas Coordinator
PO Box 198469
Nashville, TN 37219-8469 - As appropriate, include the following items in your application bundle:
- Include the ADA modification form if you require special accommodations during the exam.
- If you have education credits from a foreign institution, include the evaluation of the foreign credential (see education section above)
- If you are a re-examination candidate, complete the online application or use a paper application.
- CPA Examination Services – Kansas Coordinator
- Wait for the approval of your application. The application process takes about four to six weeks. You will be notified of deficiencies in your application if any.
- Receive the Notice to Schedule (NTS). You will receive the NTS by your selected method of notification. If you chose email, the NTS would be sent from cbtnts@nasba.org. Add this email address to your safe sender’s list to ensure delivery. If you don’t receive NTS within four weeks of submitting the first-time application, contact CPA Examination Services at cpaexam@nasba.org.
Studying for the CPA Exam
When it comes time to take the CPA exam, make sure you are as prepared as possible. The AICPA has created one of the nation’s most rigorous professional CPA exams. Working CPAs who believe that examinees should be tested in specific areas frequently propose and update items.
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. The components of the CPA test are as follows:
- Auditing and Attestation. This exam section covers the basics of financial and attest services, such as audits, reviews, compilations, and preparing agreements.
- Financial Accounting and Reporting. This exam section covers financial accounting topics for all business entities, including the government and nonprofits.
- Regulation. This exam section covers federal taxation, tax services, professional ethics, and business law for individuals and business entities.
- Disciplines
- Business Analysis and Reporting (BAR): Focused on financial reporting, data analytics, and performance management. This area is suitable for those who are interested in financial analysis and reporting. An extension of FAR core.
- Information Systems and Controls (ISC): Concentrates on IT governance, data security, and system controls. Ideal for individuals who wish to specialize in IT audits and information security. An extension of AUD core.
- Tax Compliance and Planning (TCP): Centers on personal financial planning and tax compliance for individuals, businesses, and other entities. Suitable for those with a strong interest in taxation and financial planning. An extension of REG core.
Choose a CPA Review Course
Finding the right CPA review course is crucial to passing the CPA exam. The smartest thing you can do is to choose to purchase a CPA review course to help them prepare for the content on the exams. Because these courses can be expensive, it is critical to examine each one properly; nonetheless, some of the most popular CPA review courses are:
- Becker CPA Review
- Surgent CPA Review
- Gleim CPA Review
- UWorld Roger CPA Review
- Wiley CPAexcel
Signing Up for the CPA Exam
Through the contracted exam service business, you can schedule the exam and pay the exam expenses Prometric. As a Kansas candidate, you may take the exam in any U.S. jurisdiction, but there is an extra charge if you take the exam in Guam. Kansas Prometric test centers include:
- Wichita
- Hays
- Topeka
After taking your selected sections and reporting to the exam site on time, you can take anywhere from 1 to 4 units in one CPA exam sitting. You have to pass all four sections in 18 months to be eligible for the CPA certificate.
Wait for the results. NASBA will send your score directly to you. You can also access your score online with your section ID number and your date of birth. When you have passed all exam sections, the scores are sent to the Kansas State Board of Accountancy (KSBOA), which will notify you directly.
Kansas CPA Exam Fees
The Kansas CPA exam cost consists of four main fees: an education evaluation application fee of $93, the $355.64 per CPA exam section totaling $1,422.56 for all four sections, an $82.50-160.00 permit fee and lastly the license renewal fee of $165.00.
| Education Evaluation Application Fee | $93.00 |
| Auditing and Attestation (AUD) | $355.64 |
| Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR) | $355.64 |
| Regulation (REG) | $355.64 |
| Disciplines (ISC, TCP, or BAR) | $355.64 |
| Total for all 4 CPA Exam Sections | $1,422.56 |
| Permit Fee (More than one year remaining) | $165.00 |
| Permit Fee (Less than one year remaining) | $82.50 |
| Renewal Fee | $165.00 |
AICPA Ethics Course and Exam
To acquire a CPA certificate, candidates must pass the American Institute of CPAs’ (AICPA) Professional Ethics exam. To qualify for certification, candidates must complete the self-study course and exam with a 90 percent or above score. The AICPA ethics course and take-home exam are available for purchase on the AICPA website.
Passing the CPA Exam
The National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) is used by the Board, as is the case in many other states, to handle applications for and administer the AICPA Uniform CPA Exam. Once applicants have satisfied the academic requirements and proven residence, they can apply for the CPA exam on the NASBA website. The CPA exam is divided into four portions, each of which must be completed with a score of 75 or better within 18 months.
Kansas Experience Requirements for the CPA License
How to Meet Kansas Work Experience Requirements
Candidates for CPA certification in Kansas must complete 2,000 hours of professional accounting experience in at least one year. The experience can be obtained full-time or part-time, but it must be completed within three years. Employment in academia, government, industry, or private practice may be included toward the requirement if the responsibilities performed need to attest or non-attest accounting skills. It is completed with an active license CPA to practice in Kansas to be eligible for licensure. Candidate CPA must verify all experiences and must record their expertise using the Certificate of Experience Form available on the Board’s website.
To satisfy the Kansas Board, you need to get one year of experience practicing accounting in a public, private, governmental, or academic institution. You will need to get your year of experience validated by a registered CPA.
Apply for Your Kansas CPA License
Submit Your Application for Issuance
Because Kansas is a two-tier state, CPA applicants must first apply for a CPA certificate, the needed hours of experience; once the required hours are achieved, the candidate can identify applicants and permit practice. To request a CPA certificate, candidates who have completed the Uniform CPA Exam and the AICPA ethics exam must fill out the form of the Application for Certificate by Passing Examination in Kansas. The title “CPA” may not be used by certificate holders.
Get Your Kansas CPA Permit
You are now ready to take the next step by applying for your Kansas CPA license to practice.
1. Check to see whether you have:
- Completed education requirements of 150 undergraduate semesters (225 quarter) hours with 30 semesters or 45 quarter credits in accounting, 11 semester/17 quarter credits in communication, and 42 semester/63 quarter credits in business. Have your school send official transcripts to:
- CPA Exam Services – Kansas Coordinator
PO Box 198469
Nashville, TN 37219-8469
- CPA Exam Services – Kansas Coordinator
- Passed all sections of the Uniform CPA Examination
- Attained a passing score on the AICPA professional ethics course and had the results sent to KSBOA
- Completed at least 2,000 hours of qualified experience in accounting, including 375 hours in attestation, if applicable
- Completed the Certificate of Experience and had the verifying CPA complete his portion
Download the Kansas CPA permit application and submit it with your experience certificate to the KSBOA. The fee you must pay is determined by your certificate number and the year of application. The charge is $150 if your certificate number is odd and you apply for the permit in a strange year. Similarly, the fee for even-numbered certificate holders is $150 in even years. The price is $75 otherwise.
Exceptional Cases for Obtaining Your Kansas State CPA Permit
- Assume you have a license from another state with CPA standards that are substantially equal to Kansas but do not have a principal place of business in Kansas. In that instance, you may still be awarded permit holder privileges. The list of states that are substantially equivalent (SE) can be found here.
- Suppose you want to practice public accounting in Kansas and hold a CPA license from an SE state/jurisdiction. In that case, public accounting in Kansas and holding a CPA license from an SE state/jurisdiction, you must pay the $250.00 application fee and request your licensing board to provide information on the Authorization for Exchange of Licensure information. You need to have both the Kansas certificate and permit to practice. Evidence of successful completion of the AICPA ethics exam or the other state’s ethics exam recognized by KSBOA is also required.
- Assume you do not have a license from a SE state/jurisdiction and want to apply for a Kansas certificate and permit. In that instance, you must produce proof that you meet the education mentioned above, experience, and CPA exam requirements.
Receiving Your Kansas CPA Certificate
After applying and the required evidence, the Board will assess the application; accepted applicants will be awarded a permission card and may begin practicing as a CPA.
Kansas Continuing Education Requirements
Keeping Your Permit Current Through Continuing Professional Education
Your Kansas CPA permit renews every two years. The licenses expire on July 1st of odd-numbered years for odd-numbered certificate holders and vice versa. All permit holders must comply with the Continuing Professional Education (CPE) requirements to renew the permits. You would use the CPE reporting form to report your CPE credits. The CPE requirements for Kansas CPA permit renewal are as follows:
- Kansas requires 80 hours of CPE every two years, including 2 hours of ethics directly related to the CPA practice. The restrictions on the Ethics course are mentioned here.
- Once you have obtained your first practice permit, you will be assigned the number of pro-rated CPE hours to complete before the next renewal.
- There is no limit on the number of self-study hours. However, the self-study programs are only eligible if:
- The program sponsor has been approved by either NASBA’s Registry or is sponsored through the AICPA or a State Society of CPAs.
- The participant has a written contract with the program sponsor that recommends the number of credit hours to b awarded upon successful program completion.
- The sponsor reviews and signs a report indicating that all of the requirements of the program, as outlined in the contract, have been met
- The program is completed in less than 15 weeks.
- A maximum of 20 hours of acceptable CPE earned over what is required for permit renewal may be carried over and used toward the next renewal period.
CPA License Renewal
CPA licenses in Kansas renew every two years, with half of the state’s licenses renewing each year.
- CPAs with odd-numbered certificates must renew by July 1 of each odd-numbered year.
- CPAs with certificate credentials ending in an even number must renew by July 1 of each even-numbered year.
- All CPAs must complete 80 hours of continuing education (CE) for each biennial renewal. The CE must contain two hours of ethical education.
Reciprocal License
A CPA who is seeking a certificate and/or a certificate and permit in Kansas under Kansas statute 1-302b(d) may do so in one of two ways:
- Completion of the forms provided on the Kansas Board of Accountancy’s webpage; or
- Seek a substantial equivalency evaluation from NASBA.
A CPA should also complete the Kansas Board of Accountancy’s Application for Certificate by Reciprocity by Substantial Equivalency and Application for Initial Permit and send them directly to the Kansas Board. These forms can be obtained on the Kansas Board of Accountancy website.
Evaluation Fee: $250
Summary
That’s it. So we’ve broken down the things needed to become a licensed CPA in Kansas.
Now here’s a bit of helpful advice for those starting out on their journey. If you’re still in college and planning on becoming a CPA, make sure you take the right classes to satisfy the education requirements. Once you graduate, sit for the CPA exam. And if you have questions about whether your school or your experience will satisfy the requirements, contact the Kansas State Board of Accountancy to find out.
Also, while you’re working towards getting your CPA license in Kansas, make sure that you don’t do anything that might get your license rejected when you do apply. This means no crimes, especially of a financial nature like fraud or embezzlement, but also nothing that would violate ethical standards (like CPA Exam F.A.Q.s
Kansas CPA Exam F.A.Q.s
Here are some commonly asked questions regarding Kansas’ CPA exam and CPA licensure requirements.
