The Road to Becoming a Connecticut CPA

To become certified in the State of Connecticut you must complete the four E's: education, examination, experience, and ethics.

The CPA Exam – Requirements, Procedures and Paperwork

What is required by the State of Connecticut to be eligible to sit for the CPA exam?

Individuals must complete the education requirements provided in the laws of the State of Connecticut in order to be eligible to sit for the Uniform CPA Exam. Since 2000, the educational requirement is 150 hours of college education, which includes a bachelor's degree.

*As of April 2007, Connecticut no longer requires 150 hours of college education as prerequisite to sitting for the CPA Exam, as the conferral of a Bachelor's Degree (120 hours of college credit) is now the minimum eligibility requirement required to sit for the CPA Exam. 150 hours of college credit however, is still required to be completed to obtain licensing and certification as a Connecticut CPA. More details can be found by clicking here.

What is the process for applying to take the CPA Exam?

First-time exam candidates must have their education transcripts evaluated to ensure that state requirements have been met. Transcripts of Connecticut applicants are evaluated by the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) CPA Examination Services (CPAES). Essentially, CPAES provides application processing, credential evaluation, and score-reporting services for many jurisdictions, including Connecticut. Candidates with foreign educational credentials must have their credentials evaluated by any member organization of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES).

As of August 2008, first time applicants must pay a $135 NASBA application fee, and per section fees ranging from $178.58 to $226.28. The NASBA website can ascertain the current fee structure and give you an initial application form.

Once cleared to sit for the exam, applicants receive a notice to schedule (NTS) from NASBA. Applicants must find available testing seat time at a Prometric testing facility. Prometric testing facilities in Connecticut include locations in Norwalk, Hamden, and Glastonbury. However, Connecticut applicants may also obtain a seat at Prometric testing facilities in New York, Massachusetts, or Rhode Island. Regardless of where the exam is taken, the results are returned to the state of application. Taking the exam in one of these surrounding states will not provide professional reciprocity in that state.

Detailed information about preparing for and taking the restructured, computer-based Uniform CPA Examination is contained in the AICPA publication, "Candidate Bulletin."

How long does it take to receive testing scores?

The CT State Board of Accountancy releases test scores as soon as they are available from the AICPA, who scores the exam. The exam is graded one applicant against all of the others taking that section of the exam, so the AICPA must wait to have a sufficient sample to evaluate test results.

Experience Requirements

Where may experience be obtained?

Experience may be obtained anywhere in the world – the key is the nature of the experience.

The experience requirement must meet state regulations and must be in US GAAP and GAAS. Experience need not be paid and can be in the form of internships, co-ops, or volunteerism. However, all experience must be obtained under an individual who has held a license or CPA certificate in good standing for at least three years. Further, all experience must be verified by a CPA.

To meet Connecticut requirements, experience attained in a public accounting firm is the easiest to verify. (25 percent of time spent in a public firm must be in attest work and 75 percent may be in other accounting functions.)

Industry experience is more difficult to verify and 100 percent must be in the internal audit function. In addition, the applicant must verify that they have worked in diverse industries and that the internal audit department is independent.

For an initial CPA certificate in Connecticut, prior to Jan. 1, 2000, the experience requirement was three years full time diversified experience. CPA Examination candidates sitting on of after Jan. 1, 2000 (after having satisfied the 150-hour rule) are required to have two years of experience.

Ethics Exam

The Ethics Exam is a self-study paper exam that may be obtained through the continuing professional education department of the Connecticut Society of CPAs at 860-258-4800, ext. 219 or online. The AICPA scores the ethics exam and sends the scores to the State Board of Accountancy.

Licensure in the State of Connecticut

What is a Connecticut CPA Certificate and how is it obtained?

Application must be made to Connecticut’s State Board of Accountancy to receive an initial certificate. The CPA certificate is the lowest threshold of licensure. The CPA certificate does not give the holder the ability to use the CPA title or practice public accountancy in the State of Connecticut.

Don't forget - you'll need an official transcript from your school for the application!

Connecticut Certificate Registration

The registration of a certificate with Connecticut’s State Board of Accountancy allows the holder to call himself or herself a CPA and use the credential under two circumstances:

As a staff member of a firm (not an owner) using the CPA credential in communications with clients and others. However, the credential may not be used to sign off on tax returns or financial statements, or
For a person who is not in public accounting but wants to use the CPA credential.

There is no Continuing Professional Education requirement by the State Board of Accountancy to maintain a registered certificate. Registration and payment is due annually in December for the upcoming calendar year.

Connecticut CPA License

Licensing creates a threshold to regulate the activity of the profession. A Connecticut CPA License is required by all firm owners to practice public accountancy in Connecticut.

Fees and Forms

The forms necessary to obtain an initial certificate, registration of a certificate and/or license are:

SBA –11 – General application – Initial Certificate: $75 fee, Initial Certificate and Certificate Registration: $95, Initial Certificate and Initial CPA License: $150
SBA – 12 – Experience verification – no fee.
Holders of CPA certificates who later wish to register their certificate must fill out form SBA-2: $20 fee
Holders of CPA certificates who later wish to obtain a CPA license must fill out form SBA-5: $75 fee
CPA licenses and registrations must be renewed annually by Dec. 31 for the upcoming year: $450 license renewal fee, $20 registration fee

Continuing Professional Education (CPE)

Continuing Professional Education (CPE) is a tool utilized by government and other organizations to help professionals maintain and improve their professional knowledge. It is the responsibility of the licensee to find CPE, take it, and report it.

In Connecticut, licensees are required to take 40 hours of continuing professional education per year. CPE reports are due to the State Board of Accountancy by July 31 for the CPE year July 1 through June 30. Reporting is on form SBA-3 Continuing Education Report Form.