Louisiana CPA Requirements: A Step-by-Step Guide to Becoming a Licensed CPA

CPA Requirements Overview for Louisiana

Education Requirement:

• Complete 150 semester hours of education from a four-year institution.
• Include 24 semester hours in accounting courses and 24 in business courses.
• Courses must cover financial accounting, auditing, taxation, and managerial accounting.
• Louisiana requires that some of these courses be at the graduate level.

CPA Exam:

• Apply for the Uniform CPA Examination.
• Ensure you meet the board’s requirements for eligibility.
• Prepare thoroughly for all sections of the CPA exam.

Application for Licensure:

• After passing the exam, meet the additional Louisiana CPA requirements.
• Gain relevant work experience under the supervision of a licensed CPA.

Submit your application to the Louisiana State Board of Certified Public Accountants, ensuring you comply with all board rules.

Louisiana residents pursuing a CPA license must carefully follow these steps to achieve their goals.

CPA Exam Requirements Louisiana – Overview
Educational Hours Required for Exam	150 Semester Hours
Educational Hours Required for Licensure	150 Semester Hours
Residency Required	Yes.  Applicants must have maintained continuous residence (physical presence) in Louisiana for a period of not less than 120 days within the one year period preceding the date of the initial examination.
Degree Required	Bachelor’s
Minimum Age	18
Application Fee	$160.00
Additional Requirements	Louisiana Board of Accountancy Site

Requirements for the Louisiana CPA Exam

Meeting the 150-Hour Rule

Meeting the 150-hour rule is essential for aspiring CPAs in Louisiana. This requirement ensures that candidates have a robust educational foundation before obtaining a certified public accountant license.

First, earn a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university in Louisiana. This degree lays the groundwork for your higher education journey.

You must complete 150 semester hours or 225 quarter hours in various subject areas, including accounting courses and business courses. Ensure your transcripts reflect coursework in financial accounting, advanced financial accounting, and other required business courses.

Key steps include:

• Completing nine hours of upper-level or graduate-level accounting courses.
• Taking diverse business courses to meet the board rules.

After fulfilling the educational requirements, you can sit for the CPA exam. The CPA exam consists of four exam sections that you must successfully pass to move forward.

To ensure compliance, check the Louisiana State Board’s website for a list of accredited institutions where you can study accounting.

By meeting these requirements, you position yourself to become a certified public accountant in Louisiana.

Passing the CPA Examination

Passing the CPA exam is a critical step toward becoming a licensed CPA. This rigorous test evaluates your knowledge and skills in key areas of accounting.

To qualify for the CPA exam, you need a baccalaureate degree with adequate accounting and business courses from an accredited college or university. Typically, a bachelor’s degree with specified semester hours in intermediate accounting and related subjects is required.

The Uniform CPA Examination Candidate Bulletin is an essential resource. It provides detailed information about exam content and the examination process.

The CPA exam consists of four parts:

• Auditing & Attestation (AUD)
• Financial Accounting & Reporting (FAR)
• Regulation (REG)
• Business Environments & Concepts (BEC)

Visit the CPA Examination Services (CPAES) website to learn about exam scheduling and score release dates.

Prepare for the exam by studying commercial law and other relevant topics. Seeking guidance from a college instructor and using review courses can be beneficial.

Understanding the exam format and thorough preparation are key to successfully passing the CPA exam.

Meeting the Experience Requirements

Meeting the experience requirements is a crucial step for Louisiana candidates seeking CPA licensure.

To qualify, you must obtain at least 12 months of qualifying experience verified by a licensed CPA in Louisiana. This experience should involve the use of accounting, attesting, management advisory, financial advisory, tax, or consulting skills.

Your experience can come from various sectors:

• Public practice
• Private industry
• Non-profit organizations
• Government agencies

The board rule mandates that your experience must be relevant and recent, typically within the year preceding your application.

During the application process, submit an official transcript and documentation of your work experience. Ensure that your experience is verified by a licensed CPA, who will act as your certificate holder.

Adhering to the guidelines set by the state boards and the CPA examination services will help you meet the requirements smoothly.

By gaining this experience, you not only fulfill a licensure requirement but also enhance your personal development and professional skills.

CPA License Requirements for Louisiana

Applying for a CPA License

Applying for a CPA license in Louisiana involves several important steps. First, ensure you meet the education requirements by completing relevant accounting and business courses from a southern association-accredited institution. Your coursework should include cost accounting, intermediate accounting, and external reporting.

As a Louisiana candidate, you must submit your application to the Louisiana State Board of Certified Public Accountants.

When applying, you need to:

• Provide three character references. These should be either CPAs or significant business or professional individuals.
• Submit your Social Security number to ensure compliance with the state’s tax laws.
• Pay the initial application fee for the CPA Examination in Louisiana.

If you have foreign credentials, use the foreign academic credentials service to verify your education.

Additionally, you must fulfill the oath prescribed by the board and meet the continuous residency requirement.

Make sure your application includes all necessary documentation, including proof of the required hours of accounting and business courses.

By following these steps, you can smoothly navigate the application process and meet all Louisiana Board criteria.

CPA License Renewal Requirements

Renewing your CPA license in Louisiana involves meeting specific criteria every two years. Louisiana candidates must renew their license biennially by December 31 of each two-year cycle.

To maintain your license, complete a minimum of 20 hours of Continuing Professional Education (CPE) annually. This ensures that CPAs stay current with changes in the business environment and maintain their professional competence.

Your CPE must include:

• A board-approved professional ethics course
• Relevant accounting electives such as cost accounting

Additionally, you must fulfill the state’s education requirements, including courses in hours of accounting and significant contact with substantial and representative business practices.

When renewing, you will need to pay the renewal fee of $100 to the Louisiana State Board. Ensure that all credit hours and credit obtained are accurately documented.

If you have international credentials, use NASBA’s International Evaluation Services to validate your education.

By meeting these requirements, including paying the certificate application fee and completing the required CPE, you can successfully renew your CPA license and continue practicing without interruption.

FAQs for Louisiana CPA Exam and Licensure

What Are the Educational Requirements for the CPA Exam in Louisiana?

To sit for the CPA exam in Louisiana, you must meet specific education requirements set by Louisiana’s State Board of CPAs. These requirements ensure that candidates are adequately prepared for the challenges of the profession.

Louisiana requires candidates to have a baccalaureate degree or higher from an accredited institution. Additionally, you must complete at least 150 credit hours of education. This includes both undergraduate and graduate coursework.

Key educational components include:

• 24 semester hours in accounting electives such as financial bookkeeping, auditing, taxation, and management accounting.
• 24 semester hours in business-related courses, including business law, finance, and economics.

These courses must be completed within a structured academic program that meets the board’s requirements.

To qualify for the Louisiana CPA exam, ensure your transcripts reflect all necessary coursework and credit hours. It’s crucial to achieve the minimum score required in each course.

Once you meet the education requirement, you can apply for the CPA exam. The Louisiana State Board will verify your qualifications and provide approval to take the exam.

After passing the CPA exam, you must also fulfill the CPE requirements and adhere to the oath prescribed by the board to obtain your Louisiana CPA license.

These steps ensure you are well-prepared and qualified to become a licensed CPA in Louisiana.

How Do I Apply for CPA Licensure in Louisiana?

To apply for CPA licensure in Louisiana, follow these steps:

1. Educational Requirements: Ensure you have a bachelor’s degree with 150 semester credits from an accredited institution. If you have foreign credentials, use NASBA’s International Evaluation Services for evaluation.
2. Pass the CPA Exam: Successfully pass all sections of the CPA exam.
3. Work Experience: Obtain the required work experience in public practice or a related business environment. This typically involves at least one year of supervised work under a licensed CPA.
4. Ethics Course: Complete a board-approved professional ethics course.
5. Application Submission: Submit your application to Louisiana’s State Board of CPAs, including all required documents and fees.
6. Verification: Provide three character references from CPAs or significant business professionals.
7. Compliance: Ensure you are compliant with the state’s tax laws by providing your Social Security number.

Once all these steps are completed within the same calendar year, you will be eligible for licensure.

By following these guidelines, you can successfully apply for and obtain your Louisiana license to be a CPA.