Texas CPA requirements
Obtaining your CPA license can lead to improved career and income opportunities, but what do you have to do to get it? While we highly recommend checking with the state board of accountancy for more specific details, this overview of the Texas CPA requirements will help you get on the path to success.
Becoming a CPA requires you to take the CPA Exam, a four-section, comprehensive overview that proves you have the knowledge necessary for public accounting. To sit for the CPA Exam in Texas, you must meet the following requirements:
- Submit an Application of Intent to the Texas state Board of Public Accountancy
- Complete a fingerprint and background check with the Texas Department of Public Safety and the FBI
- Have a bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 120 semester hours (180 quarter hours) of college credits
- A minimum of 21 semester hours (31.5 quarter hours) in upper-level accounting courses including two semester hours of accounting or tax research and analysis
- A minimum of 24 semester hours (36 quarter hours) in upper-level business courses, including two hours of accounting or business communication
Becoming a CPA requires you to take the CPA Exam, a four-section, comprehensive overview that proves you have the knowledge necessary for public accounting. To sit for the CPA Exam in Texas, you must meet the following requirements:
- Submit an Application of Intent to the Texas state Board of Public Accountancy
- Complete a fingerprint and background check with the Texas Department of Public Safety and the FBI
- Have a bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 120 semester hours (180 quarter hours) of college credits
- A minimum of 21 semester hours (31.5 quarter hours) in upper-level accounting courses including two semester hours of accounting or tax research and analysis
- A minimum of 24 semester hours (36 quarter hours) in upper-level business courses, including two hours of accounting or business communication
Becoming a CPA requires you to take the CPA Exam, a four-section, comprehensive overview that proves you have the knowledge necessary for public accounting. To sit for the CPA Exam in Texas, you must meet the following requirements:
- Submit an Application of Intent to the Texas state Board of Public Accountancy
- Complete a fingerprint and background check with the Texas Department of Public Safety and the FBI
- Have a bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 120 semester hours (180 quarter hours) of college credits
- A minimum of 21 semester hours (31.5 quarter hours) in upper-level accounting courses including two semester hours of accounting or tax research and analysis
- A minimum of 24 semester hours (36 quarter hours) in upper-level business courses, including two hours of accounting or business communication
CPA requirements in Texas
Texas requires CPA candidates meet specific education, experience, and ethics requirements prior to earning their license. Be sure to check with the state board for more detailed and up-to-date information.
Education requirements
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
- No fewer than 150 semester hours (225 quarter hours) of college credits
- No fewer than 27 hours (40.5 quarter hours) of upper-level accounting coursework
- A three-semester hour Board-approved ethics course
- Pass four sections of the CPA Exam
It’s important to note that while you only need 120 semester hours (180 quarter hours) to earn your bachelor’s degree and take the CPA
Experience requirements
Texas CPA requirements include non-routine accounting work that is supervised by a licensed CPA. Your work can be full-time, consisting of 12 calendar months of 40 hours each week or part-time with 2,000 employment hours within two consecutive years. Once you fulfill your work experience requirement, you can submit your experience forms to the board with your Application for Issuance of the CPA Certificate with your other documentation.
Ethics requirements
- In addition to education and experience, Texas also has ethics requirements, including:
- Taking an Oath of Office
- Taking a four-credit ethics course
- Completing the Texas Rules of Professional Conduct with a score of 85 percent or higher. This exam is open-book and emailed to you after passing the CPA Exam.
Sources:
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Over 1 million candidates have prepared with Becker and 98% of customers say that Becker meets their CPA Exam preparation needs.
Over 1 million candidates have prepared with Becker and 98% of customers say that Becker meets their CPA Exam preparation needs.
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Texas CPA license renewals
Texas CPA license renewals are based on the last day of the licensed individual’s birth month, and occur in three-year periods.
All licensed CPAs in Texas must complete 120 continuing professional education (CPE ) credit hours per three-year reporting period, and a minimum of 20 CPE credit hours must be earned per one-year period.
Anyone who has been licensed for less than 12 months does not have to meet Texas CPA CPE requirements. The first license period begins on the date of certification and ends with the last day of the licensee's birth month.
All licensed CPAs in Texas must complete 120 continuing professional education (CPE ) credit hours per three-year reporting period, and a minimum of 20 CPE credit hours must be earned per one-year period.
Anyone who has been licensed for less than 12 months does not have to meet Texas CPA CPE requirements. The first license period begins on the date of certification and ends with the last day of the licensee's birth month.
All licensed CPAs in Texas must complete 120 continuing professional education (CPE ) credit hours per three-year reporting period, and a minimum of 20 CPE credit hours must be earned per one-year period.
Anyone who has been licensed for less than 12 months does not have to meet Texas CPA CPE requirements. The first license period begins on the date of certification and ends with the last day of the licensee's birth month.
