Requirements to Become a CPA

Four Steps to Become a CPA

Want to become a CPA? There’s prep work involved.  Complete these four steps and you will be a CPA:

STEP 1 – Enroll in an accredited college or university and obtain a baccalaureate degree in accounting. There are several colleges and universities in Colorado with accredited programs.

STEP 2 – Take the CPA Examination.  This exam is computer-based and can be taken at various sites in Colorado as well as across the country, and in Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. The National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) CPA Exam Services processes applications for Colorado candidates. Visit cpa-exam.org.

STEP 3 - After passing the CPA exam, candidates must take and pass the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) Professional Ethics Exam.  This can be purchased through the CSCPA.

STEP 4 – For Colorado certification, experience may be achieved by obtaining one year of work experience, including 1,800 qualifying work hours under the direct supervision of an actively-licensed CPA.  Applicants also may obtain certification by completing additional hours of education, obtaining a master's degree or other high degree.  Visit the Colorado State Board of Accountancy for more details.

Colorado Licensing – NASBA processes Colorado CPA license applications on behalf of the Colorado State Board of Accountancy. To obtain a licensure application, visit NASBAtools.com.