Exam Tips

How to Become a Licensed CPA in Connecticut

Connecticut is a 150 credit hour state and also has some of the most comprehensive work experience requirements out of any state. You can sit for the exam before you have completed the total 150 credit hours, however. As long as you have graduated with an accredited bachelor’s degree and completed at least 120 college semester hours.

This is my home state and I’ve been through this system firsthand. I’m pretty familiar with these requirements. ?

Let’s take a look at what you need to do to take the exam and get licensed.

Connecticut CPA Exam Requirements

In order to be eligible to sit for the exam in Connecticut, candidates must meet the following personal qualifications and educational requirements.

 

  • No minimum age limit
  • Not required to be a US citizen
  • Not required to be a CT resident
  • Valid Social Security Number required
  • CT does participate in the International Examination Program

Educational Requirements to Sit

Connecticut does not requires candidates to complete 150 hours before they take the exam, but 150 must be completed in order to get licensed. Before you take the exam, you’ll have to meet the following.

Bachelor’s Degree (120 credit hours) including the following:

  • 24 credit hours in Accounting classes
  • 22 credit hours of general Business classes like Economics, Management, and Marketing

Additional requirements can be fulfilled after you have taken and passed the exam.

Exam Fees

The total cost to take the CPA exam in Connecticut is $864.08 including an initial one-time $135 application fee. The cost for each section is listed below.

 

AUD – Audit $192.03
FAR – Financial Accounting and Reporting $192.03
BEC – Business Environment and Concepts $172.51
REG – Regulation $172.51

 

The fees are typically based on the duration of the exam. That’s why the FAR and AUD exams cost the most.

IMPORTANT – Don’t go all out and register for all the sections at once. Your NIT or notice to sit is only valid for six months. After that, it will expire and you will have to re-register. Re-registration application fees are $100 for one section and vary depending on how many your sign up for at once, so only sign up for the exams that you are ready to sit for in the next 6 months.

CPA License Requirements

Taking the exam is only the first step in becoming a CPA in the state of Connecticut. After you sit for the big test, there are a few things administrative things you must do before you can truly call yourself a Certified Public Accountant.

Pass the Exam

You’ll have to pass all four sections of the exam with a score of at least 75 in an 18-month period.

Paperwork

Submit all the required paperwork to the state board usually includes transcripts, license application, and proof of work experience.

Fees

Pay the $100 certification fee when you send in your initial license application.

Ethics Exam

Take and pass the AICPA Professional Ethics exam (found on the AICPA website)

Additional Education

150 credit hours must be completed including:

  • 36 hours of accounting
  • 30 hours of general business
  • 60 hours of general education

Work Experience Requirements

Connecticut has some of the most extensive work experience requirements out of any state. Before you get your official license, you’ll have to complete the following:

2-years of experience in Public Accounting, Private Industry, or Governmental Accounting supervised by a current CPA

More Exam Resources and Information

The entire process of applying, taking the exam, and sending your paperwork can be quite an involved, especially if you attended more than one college. Before you can sit for the exam, you’ll have to send in transcripts from every college you’ve attended. This can be a pain.

A lot of times it’s easier to contact the state board directly to see what they already have on file and what they need to complete your application. For example, they should already have your test scores if you requested a copy be sent to them in your exam application process.

Here is the contact info for the state board.

Connecticut State Board of Accountancy

Connecticut CPA Application Forms

    • Office of the Secretary of the State
    • State of Connecticut
    • 30 Trinity Street
    • Hartford, CT 06106

 

  • Phone: 860-509-6200
  • Fax: 860-509-6247