Georgia CPA requirements
Georgia CPA requirements
Ready to join the exclusive group of Georgia CPAs? The first step to becoming a CPA in GA is to check the requirements to become a CPA in Georgia, as the Georgia board will ultimately license you. This page serves as a resource for taking the CPA Exam in Georgia, earning licensure and maintaining licensure with continuing professional education (CPE). Always consult with Georgia’s board of accountancy for the most current information. Read on to learn how to get a CPA license in Georgia.
Georgia CPA Exam requirements
Getting a CPA in each state mandates different requirements for taking the CPA Exam and becoming a licensed CPA. In order to be eligible to take the CPA Exam in Georgia, the state requires candidates to meet certain education requirements.
Georgia CPA Exam education requirements
Before taking the CPA Exam in Georgia, you must meet a set of education requirements. First, you need to have a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited college or university with a concentration in accounting. You must also have 120 semester hours in accounting and business, including:
- 30 semester hours (45 quarter hours) in upper-level accounting courses
- 24 semester hours (35 quarter hours) in general business subjects
After passing the CPA Exam, you must submit a New Individual License Application to the Board of Georgia through NASBA.
Requirements for CPA license in Georgia
The Georgia Board of Accountancy requires Georgia CPAs to meet the following requirements:
- 150 credit hours in accounting and business
- Pass all four sections of the CPA Exam
- Georgia requires all CPA candidates to complete a designated amount of work experience in the public accounting sector. This work experience must include:
- One year and 2,000 hours in public accounting OR
- One year and 2,000 hours in business, industry, government or college teaching OR
- A combination of work experience in public accounting, business, industry, government or college teaching
- All work experience must have been supervised by a person who holds a live permit as a certified public accountant, with the exception of government or college teaching. In these two areas, you must be supervised; however, the supervisor is not required to hold a CPA license.
- The experience must have been earned no earlier than one year prior to application.
- The experience may have breaks in service of no longer than one year in duration.
Georgia CPA license renewals
CPAs must have their license renewed biennially. All individual CPA licenses expire on December 31 of each odd-numbered year. All firm licenses expire on June 30 of each even-numbered year. Here is more information on CPA license renewals in Georgia.
Georgia CPA CPE requirements
Georgia CPA CPE requirements mandate 80 hours of continuing professional education every two years. There is no CPE required in the first year of licensure. CPE hours must include:
- 16 hours (20%) must be in auditing and accounting subjects
- A minimum of 20 hours must be earned in each year
If you are licensed for one year but are less than two years prior to your first renewal date, you must complete 40 hours of CPE with 20% in A&A subjects.
Georgia CPAs can lean on Becker for support, every step of the way. Complete your CPA Exam prep with Becker CPA Exam Review and earn your CPE credits with our diverse CPE offerings.
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