A CPA is a certified public accountant who is licensed by a state board of accountancy.
To earn the prestige associated with the CPA license, you are required to demonstrate knowledge and competence by meeting high educational standards, passing the CPA exam and completing a specific amount of general accounting experience.
The two most important aspects of becoming a CPA are passing the Uniform CPA Exam and meeting licensing requirements in the state where you want to practice.
| Texas CPA licensure Requirements – Overview | |
| Educational Hours Required for Licensure | 150 Semester Hours |
| Residency Required | U.S. citizen or legal resident |
| Degree Required | Bachelor’s or Master’s |
| Minimum Age | Not required |
| Application Fee | $50.00 |
| Additional Requirements | Texas Board of Accountancy Site |
Educational Hours Required for licensure
The Certified Public Accountant certification is one of the most prestigious professional certifications available. It indicates that the accountant has satisfied a demanding set of educational, professional, and ethical standards. In addition, candidates must pass the rigorous CPA exam in order to earn the distinction of this credential. Before candidates can sit for the exam, they must satisfy their Texas CPA requirements and qualifications. Each state has its own set of eligibility requirements for the CPA licensure, which should not be confused with CPA exam requirements. Below we will be discussing the requirements for the state of Texas.
The board shall ensure that an applicant to take the uniform CPA examination or to receive a certificate lacks a history of dishonest or felonious acts. The board may require the applicant to submit a complete set of fingerprints.
- Pass the uniform CPA examination
- meet the work experience requirement
- Pass an examination on the rules of professional conduct as determined by board rule.
- Hold a baccalaureate or graduate degree, or its equivalent as determined by board rule, conferred by a board-recognized institution of higher education; and
- Complete at least 150 semester hours or quarter-hour equivalents in board-recognized courses, including an accounting on concentration or equivalent courses as determined by board rule.
Minimum age required
Minimum age not required. Applicant must be a citizen of the United States or legally present in the United States.
Professional Ethics
Candidates who have successfully passed the examination will be required to complete the American Institute of Certified Public Accountant’s continuing professional educational course “Professional Ethics: The AICPA’s Comprehensive Course On-Demand (For Licensure).”
Fees
$50 for the individual application.
Work Experience
To be eligible to receive a certificate, a person must complete:
- at least two years of work experience under the supervision of a certified public accountant; or
- at least one year of work experience acceptable to the board, including experience providing a service or advice involving accounting, attest services, management or financial advisory or consulting services, tax services, or other services the board considers appropriate for an accountant, if the person:
- (A) has completed at least 150 semester hours of college credits; or
- (B) holds a graduate degree
A firm license process
Each firm and office thereof established or maintained for the practice of public accountancy in this State shall register with the Board within 30 days after it is opened, and annually thereafter, on a form prescribed by the Board.
Each office shall be under the direct supervision of a resident manager who must be registered with this Board and the holder of a valid annual permit.
Additional Information
While we do our best to keep all of this information up to date you are welcome to visit and or contact that Texas Board of Accountancy with any other questions you might have.
Texas State Board of Public Accountancy
Address: 505 E. Huntland Dr, Suite 380
Austin, TX 78752-3757
Phone: (512) 305-7853 or (512) 305-7800
Fax: (512) 305-7875
Email: licensing@tsbpa.texas.gov
Web: www.tsbpa.texas.gov
CPA Certification form: Texas CPA Certification Form
Annual Registration form: Texas Annual Registration Form