The requirements to become a CPA in Georgia can be a bit confusing so I put this guide together to help you navigate the process! If you’re just starting to research getting your CPA license in GA then I suggest starting from the top. Otherwise, feel free to skip ahead to any section you’d like to know a little more about!
Contents
- 1 7 Simple Steps to Becoming a CPA in Georgia
- 2 Meet the Eligibility Requirements for the CPA Exam
- 3 Fulfill the GA CPA Education Requirements
- 4 Apply to Sit for the CPA Exam and Pay the Exam Fees
- 5 Study for, and PASS the CPA Exam!
- 6 GA CPA Work Experience Requirements
- 7 Pass the Ethics Exam
- 8 Obtain Your CPA License!
- 9 Additional Resources and Information
- 10 Contact Information
7 Simple Steps to Becoming a CPA in Georgia
Meet the Eligibility Requirements for the CPA Exam
There’s usually some basic eligibility criteria you have to meet before you can even apply to sit for the CPA Exam. Here’s what’s required in Georgia.
- Minimum age requirement?: 18
- US citizenship required?: No
- Georgia residency required?: No
- Minimum level of education required: See next section
- Valid Social Security Number (SSN)* required?: Yes
*An Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) may also be provided
Fulfill the GA CPA Education Requirements
In Georgia you need at least 150 semester hours to obtain your CPA license but only 120 semester hours to sit for the CPA Exam, which means you can sit for the exam while you’re still in college!
Here’s a detailed breakdown of exactly what’s needed to sit for the CPA Exam and for licensure:
Requirements to sit for the CPA Exam:
- Have at least 120 total semester hours (i.e. bachelor’s degree or higher) from an accredited college, university or foreign equivalent
- 20 semester hours (30 quarter hours) in accounting subjects above the introductory level
The “introductory level” is generally considered the intro accounting courses and being at the elementary level. These hours can count towards your degree, just not towards the minimum hours required to take the CPA Exam or to apply for your CPA license.
Requirements to obtain your CPA license:
- Have at least 150 total semester hours (i.e. bachelor’s degree or higher) from an accredited college, university or foreign equivalent
- 30 semester hours (45 quarter hours) in accounting subjects above the introductory level (as defined above)
- 24 semester hours (35 quarter hours) in general business subjects
The Board doesn’t specify exact courses or subjects needed like some other states do, but the related business administration courses required as part of an undergraduate accounting degree should qualify.
Apply to Sit for the CPA Exam and Pay the Exam Fees
Be sure to check out this post where I break down the entire CPA Exam application process for you, step-by-step.
The cost to apply and register for all four parts of the CPA Exam in Georgia are as follows:
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*Georgia’s Notice to Schedule (NTS) window is 6 months, so you should only register and pay for the exam section(s) you intend to take within that time. If you need to schedule or re-take any sections beyond your initial NTS window, a $75 re-examination fee plus the associated exam section fees above will apply.
Study for, and PASS the CPA Exam!
Studying for the CPA Exam is definitely the most challenging and time consuming part of the whole process, so you might as well get a jump start on studying as soon as your fees are submitted.
Not sure which exam section to take first? Check out my post where I break down the pros and cons of each route you can go so you can make the best possible decision: Which section of the CPA Exam should I take first?
By far the most important factor to success on the CPA Exam is sticking to a consistent study schedule and not letting too much time lapse between study sessions.
The CPA Exam is not a test you can just cram for so you’ll want to make sure you space out the material into manageable chunks in a way that fits your schedule.
As long as you schedule things out properly, you won’t have to sacrifice your entire social life for the CPA Exam like some folks say!
You’ll also need to purchase a CPA review course that’s best suited for your study style and budget. I’ve personally tested and examined all of the top review courses out there so you can find the best one for you.
If you still can’t decide which course is best, send me an email and I’ll personally help you!
GA CPA Work Experience Requirements
In addition to the education requirements discussed above, the Georgia State Board of Accountancy requires that you have a certain amount of work experience before you can obtain your CPA license. The requirements are fairly straightforward but vary depending on the type of work you’ll be performing:
- Must have at least 1 year AND 2,000 hours of accounting experience under a licensed CPA*.
- Experience must have been earned no earlier than one year prior to application. Breaks in service are accepted, as long as they don’t exceed 1 year.
- Experience may be gained in public accounting, business, industry, government, college teaching, or any combination thereof.
*If your experience is from government or college teaching needs to be supervised, but not necessarily by a licensed CPA. For college teaching experience, it must be at a 4-year accredited college in at least two different areas of accounting above the introductory level.
Pass the Ethics Exam
Good news! Unlike some other states, the Georgia Board doesn’t require you to complete a separate ethics course prior to obtaining your CPA license! You may have to complete one as part of your annual CPE requirements once you’re licensed though, but you can worry about that later :).
Obtain Your CPA License!
Whew! After passing all four sections of the CPA exam, and meeting the education and work experience requirements, you’ll finally be ready to apply for your CPA license!
Georgia’s application process is fairly straightforward. In order to receive your CPA license, you’ll need to complete and submit the following:
- Your CPA license application
- Documentation of work experience
- The Criminal Conviction Disclosure Form
- Application fees (Initial application $140)
Once you’ve completed all of the requirements noted above, then you’ll be well on your way to getting your CPA license!
Be sure to check out the resources I’ve included below to help you during the application and licensing process.
Additional Resources and Information
NASBA Exam Application Info for Georgia
NASBA Licensing Info for Georgia
More info and FAQs on the Licensing Requirements
Contact Information
Georgia State Board of Accountancy
200 Piedmont Avenue, SE Suite 1604 West Tower
Atlanta, GA 30334
Email: GSBA@sao.ga.gov
Phone: (404) 463-0365
Additional Organizations
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To learn more about some of the things you’ll need to prepare for the CPA Exam, be sure to check out my detailed reviews of each of the top courses on the market:
