Washington, D.C. CPA requirements

We know it’s difficult to know where to start when you’re ready to earn your certified public accountant (CPA) license. To help you know exactly what you need to meet the Washington DC CPA requirements, we’re sharing an overview of what you need to sit for the CPA Exam plus what you need to obtain and maintain your license. To stay on top of any updates or changes, it’s also important to check with the Washington DC State Board of Accountancy. 
 

washington dc cpe
CPA Exam requirements in Washington DC

To become a CPA, you must pass the CPA Exam, a four-section exam consisting of three Core sections and selecting one of three Discipline sections. To sit for the CPA Exam in Washington DC, you must hold a bachelor’s degree which includes 120 semester hours (180 quarter hours) from an accredited university or college (including a junior or community college). This must include: 

  • 24 semester hours (36 quarter hours) in accounting topics, including financial accounting, management or cost accounting, internal or external audit, and U.S. federal income tax 
  • Three semester hours (4.5 quarter hours) in United States commercial or business law 

To become a CPA, you must pass the CPA Exam, a four-section exam consisting of three Core sections and selecting one of three Discipline sections. To sit for the CPA Exam in Washington DC, you must hold a bachelor’s degree which includes 120 semester hours (180 quarter hours) from an accredited university or college (including a junior or community college). This must include: 

  • 24 semester hours (36 quarter hours) in accounting topics, including financial accounting, management or cost accounting, internal or external audit, and U.S. federal income tax 
  • Three semester hours (4.5 quarter hours) in United States commercial or business law 

To become a CPA, you must pass the CPA Exam, a four-section exam consisting of three Core sections and selecting one of three Discipline sections. To sit for the CPA Exam in Washington DC, you must hold a bachelor’s degree which includes 120 semester hours (180 quarter hours) from an accredited university or college (including a junior or community college). This must include: 

  • 24 semester hours (36 quarter hours) in accounting topics, including financial accounting, management or cost accounting, internal or external audit, and U.S. federal income tax 
  • Three semester hours (4.5 quarter hours) in United States commercial or business law 

Washington DC CPA license requirements

In addition to passing the CPA Exam, you must also fulfill additional Washington DC CPA requirements to obtain licensure.

 

Education requirements

All CPA candidates must have 150 semester hours (225 quarter hours), which must include the accounting and law courses needed to sit for the CPA Exam.

Ethics requirements

CPA candidates are not required to pass an ethics exam prior to licensure.

Experience requirements

To apply for licensure, you must have 2,000 hours of full- or part-time accounting employment, verified by a licensed CPA in either government, academia, public practice or industry. Your work experience should include accounting, attest services, management advisory, compilation, tax skills, financial advisory and consulting skills.

Residency requirements

Washington DC does not require proof of residency norUnited States citizenship to apply for licensure.

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Washington DC CPA license renewals

Washington DC CPAs must renew their license every two years. The renewal cycle occurs from January 1 to December 31 biennially.

Washington DC CPA CPE requirements

All CPAs must maintain their license by earning continuing professional education (CPE). To meet Washington DC CPA CPE requirements, you must complete at least 80 credit hours within each two-year renewal cycle. Also, all CPAs are required to earn at least four hours of ethics CPE during each reporting cycle. 

A licensee seeking to renew an initial license issued for less than two years is not required to submit proof of CPE for the first renewal. 
 

All CPAs must maintain their license by earning continuing professional education (CPE). To meet Washington DC CPA CPE requirements, you must complete at least 80 credit hours within each two-year renewal cycle. Also, all CPAs are required to earn at least four hours of ethics CPE during each reporting cycle. 

A licensee seeking to renew an initial license issued for less than two years is not required to submit proof of CPE for the first renewal. 
 

All CPAs must maintain their license by earning continuing professional education (CPE). To meet Washington DC CPA CPE requirements, you must complete at least 80 credit hours within each two-year renewal cycle. Also, all CPAs are required to earn at least four hours of ethics CPE during each reporting cycle. 

A licensee seeking to renew an initial license issued for less than two years is not required to submit proof of CPE for the first renewal. 
 

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