CPA requirements vary from state to state, so you’ll have to read up on the rules for the state in which you live. You can visit the Web site for the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and click on your state to get specific information regarding both CPA training and CPA education requirements. However, most state CPA license requirement checklists are similar in nature. The following checklist will prepare you to get your license in most areas:

Obtain Your Four-Year Bachelor’s Degree In Accounting
First, you’ll need to get a degree in accounting. While you can major in something other than accounting and still qualify for some state CPA licensing tests, you’ll need to have several classes in accounting and business to qualify. The number of credit-hours of accounting classes you need will vary from state to state.

Pursue Higher Education Credits
Some states require a master’s degree or MBA, while others require only a certain number of higher education credits in accounting and business. Watch your grades: Most CPA licensing boards require a B average for higher education classes.

Accrue Accounting Experience
You will need to have around two years of accounting experience for most licensing tests. Some states will allow you to substitute higher education credit hours for some of your experience hours; some will not.  You will benefit greatly from hours of auditing and financial statement preparation experience.

For more information on preparing for your CPA exam, go to the Web site for the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy, and look for specific information for your state. You can take specific classes for the exam, and you can get sample questions and explanations behind the answers. You’ll find all kinds of help for preparing for your exam at this Web site.