Massachusetts CPA Requirements: Detailed Overview
Massachusetts, with its robust academic environment, sets specific standards for CPA licensure. Here's a comprehensive guide to understanding the Massachusetts CPA Exam and license requirements:
Social Security, Age, Citizenship, and Residency Requirement
Social Security Requirement: Yes, a Social Security number is required.
Minimum Age: 18 years old.
Citizenship: U.S. citizenship is not mandatory.
Residency: No residency requirement in Massachusetts.
Education Requirements for Licensure
Credit Hours: 150 semester hours, including a Bachelor’s degree.
Educational Pathways: There are different pathways based on your educational background:
Path 1: Bachelor's degree with 120 hours, including 21 credits in accounting and 9 credits in business courses.
Path 2: Graduate degree in accounting from an AACSB-accredited program.
Path 3: Graduate degree with 30 hours in accounting (undergraduate level or 18 at graduate level) and 24 hours in general business (or 18 at graduate level).
Path 4: Bachelor's degree with 30 hours in accounting and 24 hours in general non-accounting business courses.
Work Experience Requirements
Duration: 1 year of experience, with a minimum of 2,000 hours.
Nature of Work: Experience in public accounting or equivalent, under the supervision of a licensedCPA. This can include accounting, attest, compilation, management advisory, financial advisory, tax, or consulting skills.
Ethics Exam Requirements
Mandatory State Ethics Exam: Massachusetts does not require a state-specific ethics exam for CPA licensure.
International CPA Examination Program
Participation: Massachusetts participates in the International CPA Examination Program.
Credential Evaluation: International candidates must have their educational credentials evaluated for U.S. equivalency.
Massachusetts CPA Exam & Licensing - Cost and Fees
Initial Application Fee: $195
Examination Fees: $238.15 for each CPA Exam section (AUD, BEC, FAR, REG).
Re-Examination Fees: Varies based on the number of sections, ranging from $117 to $177.
Licensing Fee: $175 for initial licensing; $499 for reciprocity.
License Renewal
Renewal Period: Every two years.
Renewal Fee: $161 for license renewal.
Continuing Professional Education (CPE): CPAs must complete 80 hours of CPE biennially, including 4 hours in ethics.
CPA Exam: Dates, Score Release, and Scheduling
Exam Availability: The CPA Exam is offered throughout the year during designated testing windows.
Score Release: Scores are typically released by the AICPA according to a set schedule, a few weeks after the exam date.
Application Process: Candidates apply through the Massachusetts Board of Public Accountancy, receive a Notice to Schedule (NTS), and then schedule their exam sections through Prometric.
This guide provides a general overview of the CPA licensure process in Massachusetts. Candidates are encouraged to check with the Massachusetts Board of Public Accountancy or NASBA for specific details or updates.