The requirements to become a CPA in Oregon 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 OR 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 Oregon
- 2 Additional Resources and Information
7 Simple Steps to Becoming a CPA in Oregon
Meet the Eligibility Requirements for the CPA Exam
Here are the basic age and citizenship requirements to sit for the CPA exam in Oregon.
- Minimum age requirement?: No
- US citizenship required?: No
- Oregon 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 OR CPA Education Requirements
Oregon’s requirements to sit for the CPA Exam and get your license are the same. Here’s a breakdown of exactly what’s needed to become a CPA in Oregon:
- Have at least 150 semester (or 225 quarter) hours AND a bachelor’s degree (or higher) from a U.S. accredited college, university or foreign equivalent
- At least 24 semester (36 quarter) hours in upper-division* accounting specific courses
- At least 24 semester (36 quarter) hours in accounting or related courses (lower-division accounting, business, economics, finance, and written and/or oral communication)
*Upper-division courses are classified as 300 level or above. Principles and introductory courses cannot be used to meet this requirement.
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 Oregon are as follows:
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*Oregon’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 $50 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!
OR CPA Work Experience Requirements
In addition to the education requirements discussed above, the Oregon Board of Public 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:
- You must have at least 12 months full-time employment or 2,000 hours of equivalent part-time qualifying accounting experience supervised by a licensed CPA.
- Experience can be earned in public accounting, industry, government, or academia and can be on a full- or part-time basis.
- Experience must be earned within 8 years preceding your license application
Pass an Ethics Exam!
The Oregon Board requires you to complete either an AICPA ethics course OR the Oregon state ethics course prior to obtaining your CPA license. Thankfully these exams aren’t that difficult and if you’ve passed the CPA Exam then you should have no problem with these 🙂 . Let’s take a look at each one in more detail:
AICPA Ethics Exam
The AICPA Ethics Exam is a self-study course that may be completed any time before, during, or after you sit for the CPA exam so long as it’s completed within 2 years of submitting your CPA license application. The exam consists of 40 multiple-choice questions that must be answered with a score of 90% or higher. To prepare for it, you’ll receive a 100-page textbook from the AICPA upon registration.
You can take the exam online or via a paper form that you’ll submit through the mail. You’ll have three attempts to pass the exam if you take the online version. After that, you’ll need to complete the exam via the paper / snail-mail route.
The exam and related materials can cost anywhere from $209 – $270, depending on whether you register as an AICPA member or not.
Pro-tip: After completing the exam, be sure to download your certificate of completion. You’ll need to submit it to the Oregon State Board as part of your license application.
Oregon-Specific State Ethics Course
For more info on how to register and sign up for the exam, the Oregon Society of CPAs has also created a dedicated site to get you started: Oregon State Ethics & New Developments.
Get Your CPA License!
Finally! After passing the CPA exam and meeting all of the education and work experience requirements above, you’ll finally be able to apply for your CPA license!
Oregon’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
- Education transcripts (if necessary*)
- Verification of Experience (as part of application)
- Application fee
*Your college transcripts provided as part of your CPA exam application should already be on file.
Once you’ve submitted everything noted above, then congratulations! You should be well on your way to getting your CPA license! In case you need any more info about the exam or licensing process, be sure to check out the additional resources I’ve included down below.
Additional Resources and Information
More info on Application Process
More info on Licensing Process
FAQ on Application and Licensing
Contact Information
Office Address
200 Hawthorne Ave SE Suite D450,
Salem, Oregon 97301-5289
Email: boa.info@oregon.gov
Phone: (503) 378-4181
Fax: (503) 378-3575
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:
