APPLICATION FOR CPA LICENSE - v1.1

APPLICATION FOR CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT (CPA) LICENSE

Welcome to the online application for certified public accountant license.  You will have the opportunity to save the progress of your application and resume at a later time prior to submitting the application.  You can print a copy at any time by clicking on the printer icon on the top right corner.  

In order to save your progress, you will click on “save” and enter your email address.  A link will be sent to the email address you provided so that you can access your application.  Please note that certain fields must be completed depending on your application type before you can save your progress.  If you are missing any of these fields, you will be directed to the page with the missing information.  Complete any fields flagged in red and then you may continue to save your progress.  

This online application will allow documents, such as experience forms or proof of military status, to be submitted to the CBA by uploading them in this application prior to submission. After submission, changes cannot be made to the application and additional documents will need to be provided to CBA via mail or email.

APPLICANT TYPE

Applicant Type

An official certification of your IQEX Exam scores must be submitted directly to the CBA by NASBA. Information regarding the IQEX Exam and score transfers may be obtained on NASBA’s website or by phone, at (888) 696-2722.

Please note: passage of the IQEX Exam does not replace the CBA’s educational requirements. Applicants must submit appropriate documents substantiating completion of the education requirements.

APPLICATION PROCESSING FEE $

Payment must be made online using a Visa, Mastercard, or American Express card.

Did you pass the exam as a CA candidate?
Experience Type

PERSONAL INFORMATION

Full Name (no initials)
Are you known by any other name(s)?
Residence Address
Telephone Number

Military Status

Questions from California’s military members and their families should be directed to the CBA military liaison at militaryinfo@cba.ca.gov or by phone Toll-Free at (833) 992-0577.

Are you currently serving in or have you previously served in the U.S. Military?
Did you previously serve in the U.S. Military and receive an honorable discharge?
Are you married to, or in a domestic partnership or other legal union with, an active duty member of the U.S. Military who is assigned to a duty station in this state under official active duty military orders?

Refugee/Ayslee/Special Immigrant Visa Holder

Questions from refugees, asylees or special visa holders should be directed to the CBA refugee liaison at refugeeinfo@cba.ca.gov or by phone at (916) 561-1763. Language assistance services are available at (833) 498-2006.

Do any of the following statements apply to you:

US Department of Defense SkillBridge program

Pursuant to Business and Professions Code Section 115.4, beginning July 1, 2024, the board/bureau shall expedite the initial licensure process for an applicant who is an active duty member of the US Armed Forces and enrolled in the US Department of Defense SkillBridge program. Do you request expediting of your application under this authority?

Additional Information

Have you ever applied for a CPA license with the CBA?
Have you completed and passed the California CPA Education Foundation Ethics Examination (PETH Exam)?

If you have not taken the PETH Exam, please visit CalCPA’s website at https://www.calcpa.org/ethics-exam.

Have you ever had a professional or vocational license, permit, certificate or registration disciplined, or received any other form of enforcement action by this or any other state, agency of the federal government, or a foreign country? (See definition below)
Have you ever been cited or sanctioned for unlawfully engaging in the practice of public accountancy in another state? (See definition below)

DEFINITION OF DISCIPLINARY ACTION

OUT-OF-STATE LICENSEE INFORMATION

Have you held an active license to practice public accountancy for at least four of the last ten years?

EDUCATION

List below all schools attended after high school for which you have submitted/will submit an official transcript.  If you have not yet sent in transcripts you can learn more about how transcripts may be submitted at: https://www.dca.ca.gov/cba/applicants/covid-faqs.shtml. 

Foreign education must be evaluated by a CBA-approved foreign credentials evaluation service provider. You can view the list of CBA-approved providers at: https://www.dca.ca.gov/cba/applicants/foreign.pdf.

EXPERIENCE

I am applying for CPA licensure with: Applicants who wish to be licensed with the authority to sign reports on attest engagements must provide the CBA with satisfactory evidence of having completed a minimum of 12 months of general accounting experience including a minimum of 500 hours of attest experience.

You can find experience forms at https://www.dca.ca.gov/cba/applicants/licensure-applicant.shtml.

Have you submitted the experience form?
If yes, how?
If not, how will you submit the experience form?

The pattern for Attest Experience is listed here: https://www.dca.ca.gov/cba/applicants/ce-reissue-attest.pdf

The pattern for General Accounting Experience is listed here: https://www.dca.ca.gov/cba/applicants/ce-reissue-gen.pdf

Have you completed 80 hours continuing education in subject areas specifically identified by the CBA (attest or general)?
Have you submitted the certificates of completion?
If yes, how?
If not, how will you submit the certificates of completion?

CERTIFIED TRUE STATEMENT

By submitting this application for CPA licensure, you are acknowledging that you have read and understand the Rules of Professional Conduct adopted by the CBA. Reference California Business and Professions Code, Chapter 1 of Division 3, Article 3.5 (starting at section 5060) and California Code of Regulations Title 16, Division 1, Article 9 (starting at section 50).

PERSONAL INFORMATION COLLECTION AND ACCESS

Application Payment

Select Payment Method

You may submit your check or money order along with a completed copy of your application to the following address:

California Board of Accountancy
2450 Venture Oaks Way, Suite 300
Sacramento, CA 95833
Attention: Cashiering

Please know choosing this method of payment does not delay the processing of your application.

Upon approval of your California CPA license application, you will be required to pay an initial CPA license fee, which is separate from the application processing fee.

You can choose to pay this fee now by credit card or opt to pay this fee at the time of approval. Payment made at the time of approval must be made by check or money order via US mail.

CPA License Fee Payment Option

Indicate how you like your information to appear on your license.  This information is public information and will appear on the CBA’s website, under the License Lookup feature.  Please note email address and phone number are not public.

Address of Record

Alternate Address for PO Boxes and Mail Drops - If your address of record is a PO Box or a Mail Drop, you are required to provide a street address. This address will not be posted on the CBA’s website under the License Lookup feature.

Fees

APPLICATION PROCESSING FEE: $

TOTAL FEES: $

 

Select Credit Card Type

License Lookup Address

Billing Address

Education

Foreign Evaluation

Experience

Please note once you have submitted your application, you will not be able to make any changes or upload additional documents.  If changes are required after you have submitted the application, please contact the Initial Licensing Unit at licensinginfo@cba.ca.gov.  It is recommended that you print a copy of your completed online application prior to submission. You can print a copy by clicking the printer icon on the top right corner of this page.