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What Happens After I Pass the CPA Exam?

Jason Dinesen

Published on: Feb 27, 2025
903

Summary

Passing the CPA Exam is a significant achievement, yet it's just the beginning of the Certified Public Accountant licensing process. This guide offers crucial insights into the steps necessary post-exam, including meeting individual state requirements such as additional education, work experience, and possibly an ethics exam. Additionally, knowing state-specific licensing rules, remaining compliant through continued education, and maintaining membership with professional accounting organizations, such as AICPA, are key to advancing your career. This information is particularly important today as accounting professionals navigate the complexities of different state requirements and pursue new job opportunities.

Passing the CPA Exam is a significant milestone in becoming a Certified Public Accountant, but it’s just one step in the licensing process. After completing your CPA Exam Prep and passing the exam, candidates must fulfill additional state requirements, including education, work experience, and possibly an ethics exam. Each state has different licensing rules, so it’s essential to understand what comes next. This guide covers the key steps to obtaining your CPA license and advancing your career after passing the CPA exam.

Determine Where You Plan to Obtain Your CPA License

After passing all four sections of the CPA Exam, the next step is to meet the licensing requirements for the state where you plan to work as a CPA. Like the exam, CPA license requirements vary by state and may include education and work experience.

Many states require at least one year of public accounting experience, while others accept different types of work, such as teaching, self-employment, or part-time jobs. Some states also have specific rules requiring a certain amount of auditing experience. If you live and work in the U.S., you must be licensed in your state. Many states offer mobility privileges, allowing CPAs to work across state lines, but these rules can be complex.

Take the CPA Ethics Exam if Required

After passing the CPA exam, your next step may be taking a CPA Ethics Exam, depending on your state’s requirements. You must complete this step before getting licensed if your congratulatory letter mentions it. If not, your state may not require it.

Some states, like California, have their own ethics exam, while others use the AICPA’s Comprehensive Course and Exam. The good news is that most candidates find the ethics exam much easier than the CPA Exam, and many states allow it to be taken as an open-book test.

Fulfill your Ethics CPE requirement with MY CPE ONE expert-led courses approved by the IRS, NASBA, and State Boards of Accountancy. The courses cover ethical guidelines for CPA licensure renewal, ensuring compliance with professional standards.

Choose from a wide range of self-study and live webinars tailored for CPAs, covering the latest accounting and tax ethics updates. Stay informed, enhance your professional integrity, and meet your state's ethics CPE requirements.

Key Features of MYCPE ONE Ethics CPE Courses for CPAs

Approved Ethics Courses: NASBA, IRS, and CFP Board-approved courses ensure compliance for CPAs (US), EAs (Circular 230), CFPs (US), CIAs, CFEs, Canadian CPAs, CMAs, HRCIs, CVAs, and more.
State-Specific Ethics Courses: Covers all 50 states, meeting the exact requirements set by each State Board of Accountancy (AL, CA, FL, NY, TX, etc.).
Flexible Learning Formats: Choose from text-based or video-based courses, allowing you to learn independently.
One Subscription, Unlimited Access: Gain unlimited access to all ethics courses with our Exclusive Subscription Plan, with no extra payments required.
Expert-Led Content: High-quality courses delivered by industry experts, keeping you up-to-date on the latest accounting and tax ethics standards.

Complete Additional Education Hours

In some states, candidates can sit for the CPA Exam with just 120 hours of higher education, but 150 hours are usually required to get licensed. Even if someone passes the CPA Exam with only 120 hours, they must complete the additional coursework later.

For example, in Alabama, candidates can take the exam with 120 hours, but they must finish the remaining 30 hours within 36 months to meet the licensing requirements. Understanding how to pass the CPA exam and what to do after passing the CPA exam is crucial to ensure a smooth path to licensure.

Passing the exam is just the beginning. Learn how to keep your license active through CPE in our Ultimate Guide to What is CPE Credits.

Fulfill the Work Experience Requirement

Depending on their state's requirements, candidates may need to gain 1 to 2 years of accounting experience after passing the CPA exam. Some states allow candidates to complete this experience before the exam, while others require it afterward as part of the licensing process.

After passing the CPA exam, the next step is to check state-specific experience rules. While some states only accept public accounting experience, most now recognize general accounting and taxation work. In most cases, a licensed CPA must supervise and verify the candidate’s experience so that it counts toward the license.

Submit Your CPA License Application

Candidates should generally wait until after passing the CPA exam to submit their license application to their state. Each state has a different timeline for obtaining a CPA license after the exam.

For example, in Minnesota, candidates have three years to meet all requirements and apply for licensure, while some states have no time limit. International candidates who take the CPA exam abroad must obtain their license within three years of passing it, or they will need to retake it. It's important to check specific state requirements to stay on track.

CPA License Requirements

To become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), candidates must meet education, work experience, and exam requirements.

CPA license requirements vary by state, as no national governing body exists. Each state’s board of accountancy sets its own rules.
While each state has unique CPA requirements, many states have similar expectations for education, experience, and ethics exams.
You don’t have to live in a state to get licensed there. Some states have more straightforward requirements, so it’s worth comparing before applying.
To help candidates, a breakdown of CPA license requirements by state can simplify the decision-making process.

Apply for AICPA Membership

After obtaining a state CPA license, candidates can apply for membership in the AICPA, the world's largest professional accounting organization. Membership allows CPAs to network with others and stay informed about important industry updates.

To maintain an active AICPA membership, CPAs must meet the organization’s CPE (Continuing Professional Education) requirements. In most cases, these requirements align with the state board of accountancy.

Benefits of joining the AICPA

Networking & Insights: Join a global community of accounting and finance professionals to expand your career opportunities and gain valuable industry knowledge.
Advocacy & Support: AICPA monitors federal, state, and local legislation to protect and guide members' professional interests.
Exclusive Discounts: Enjoy special savings on personal and professional products from over 20 well-known companies.

Continuing Professional Education (CPE) requirements for maintaining AICPA membership

CPE Requirement: Regular AICPA members must complete 120 hours of continuing professional education (CPE) during each three-year reporting period starting January 1, 2001.
Reporting Period begins on January 1 of the first full calendar year after joining AICPA or upgrading to a Regular Member.
Grace Period: The reporting period is followed by a two-month extension, but hours earned during this time cannot be counted toward the next period.
Qualifying Programs: CPE must contribute to professional competence and be formal programs, such as:

1. In-house training courses

2. Trade association conferences

3. College or university classes

Exceptions to CPE Requirements

AICPA members are automatically exempt if they:

They are retired and do not present themselves as CPAs.
They have temporarily left the workforce and do not present themselves as CPAs.
They are unemployed and do not present themselves as CPAs.
They have placed their CPA license on inactive status with their State Board.

CPE Waiver Requests

Members may request a CPE waiver due to the following:

Health issues
Military service
Extreme natural disasters (if the State Board grants exemptions)
Other exceptional circumstances preventing compliance

Update Your Resume and Career Opportunities

Passing the CPA Exam can open new job opportunities, increase earning potential, and provide excellent job stability and flexibility. This is the perfect time to update your resume.

However, it’s essential to list your CPA status correctly. You cannot call yourself a "CPA" until you receive your official license or permit. Instead, you can mention that you have passed the CPA Exam and are in the process of meeting the remaining requirements. Just make sure to state your current status clearly.

Conclusion

Earning your CPA license after passing the CPA exam requires completing state-specific requirements, including work experience, ethics exams, and additional education. Understanding your state’s licensing rules will help you stay on track. Once licensed, you can explore new job opportunities, apply for AICPA membership, and maintain your credentials through continuing education. By staying informed and proactive, you can maximize the benefits of becoming a CPA and build a successful career in accounting.

FAQs

After passing the CPA exam, candidates should check their state’s licensing requirements, complete any remaining education or experience, and, if required, take the CPA Ethics Exam.

The time limit varies by state. Some states, like Minnesota, allow three years, while others have no deadline. International candidates typically have three years before needing to retake the exam.

Yes, most states require 1-2 years of relevant accounting experience, usually supervised by a licensed CPA. Some states allow candidates to gain experience before passing the exam, while others require it afterward.

Candidates cannot use the "CPA" title until they receive their official license. However, they can state that they have passed the CPA Exam and are completing the licensing requirements.

It depends on the state. Some states require a CPA Ethics Exam, which may be their own or the AICPA’s Comprehensive Ethics Course. Many states allow it to be taken as an open-book test.

About the Author

Jason Dinesen

President, Dinesen Tax & Accounting, P.C.

Jason (LPA, EA) is a seasoned tax expert, entrepreneur, and educator with over 18 years of experience in accounting, tax preparation, and business advisory. As the founder of Dinesen Tax & Accounting, P.C., he helps professionals understand complex tax concepts. A leading CPE presenter at MYCPE ONE, Jason has trained more than 200,000 professionals on tax updates, ethics, and IRS guidance. Known for his sharp insights and relatable teaching style, he helps CPAs, EAs, and finance professionals stay up to date and confidently navigate evolving tax laws.

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