[Anonymous]

A board member on my state’s board told me that any time someone has asked for an extension they have given the candidate an extra 6 months without letting any exam scores lapse. I had never heard of this before and figured it would help people out. He said the board gets fewer than 10 requests for this a year. I just wanted to share since I have never heard anyone on these boards talk about it.

[Minimorty]

i call BS

[kandisjoy]

Is this just for extenuating circumstances? Also what state are you testing for?

FAR: 71, 77
BEC: 70, 82
AUD: 62, 78
REG: 71, 68, 85

CA Licensed 11/2011

[Herbieherb]

Sounds like bs…so that means all the candidates who lapsed exams got screwed. Way to go!

NEW YORK- DONE

[Anonymous]

It's possible, but there have to be extenuating circumstances….here's the rule in California:

The appeal process provides CPA Exam candidates the opportunity to appeal decisions made by Board staff or management with which they disagree. In addition, it provides candidates the opportunity to request extensions of Notice to Schedule or Credit Status expiration dates. Extensions of expiration dates are based on the candidate’s inability to test due to extraordinary extenuating circumstances such as:



Death of an immediate family member. Documentation such as a copy of the death certificate must be submitted.



Catastrophic illness, contagious disease, or major traumatic injury to the candidate or immediate family member (spouse, child or parent). Submit an original letter from the physician, on his or her letterhead that includes the dates, nature of the illness, and the physician’s signature.



Natural disaster.



Nonissuance of a visa for travel to the United States. Documentation such as an official letter from the US Embassy or a copy of the passport, indicating that the visa was requested, must be submitted.

[smrichard]

A coworker of mine was granted an extension, although I think it was only one testing period. I'm not sure what her circumstances were, but I know she was really thankful!!! It's worth a shot, right?

FAR 82
AUD 81 (2007), 73, 80
REG 68 (2010), 76
BEC 58 (2007), 75 DONE!!!!

[Anonymous]

This happened for Egyptian people, I know three friends extended their credit period due to the circumstances and revolution in Egypt

[jblevy10]

Hi,

So I have submitted a letter of appeal to have the 18 month window extended. I missed it by 6 weeks! I have gone through some traumatic events in the past 2 years and wrote a letter explaining the events. I wanted to reach out to anyone who has successfully received the extension and see if they are willing to give me some more pointers and tips about this process. I would greatly appreciate your help and I can elaborate on the horrific events that have occurred during the testing process. Please let me know.

-Josh

[Anonymous]

It's not BS. The decision is entirely up to the State Board. The amount of time a score is valid is a matter of state law or at a minimum, State Board policy. Here's a quote from a really nice man at my state board, (I don't remember his name).

“The AICPA may make the test, NASBA may schedule the test, and Prometric may administer the test, but we issue the licenses.”

I'm glad to know the states can do this. Some people may think it gives someone an unfair advantage, but I think that is BS. We don't know what someone else is going through. It is reassuring to know that there are real people with feelings and some semblance of humanity behind the computer screens. I've never had a valid reason to ask the state board for an extension, so if anyone would have a right to complain, I think it would be me because I've lost two test scores to the 18 month rule. And for the record, I'm not!

[Minimorty]

An extension under any circumstance is BS. If you can't pass all four within an 18 month window, you shouldn't be a CPA.

[sacredtheory]

BS on Mini's BS. Only (emphasis on only) in extreme situations should an extension be granted. Seriously. If your significant other was in a car accident, paralyzed and required significant care and attention from you…you shouldn't be a CPA?

BEC: Passed
AUD: Passed
REG: Passed
FAR: Passed

Jared

[Minimorty]

Of course you should still be a CPA. As soon as you can pass all four exams within an 18 month window.

[sacredtheory]

Off topic, but I call BS on the 18-month rule; however, I do believe the experience requirement should be increased (as a general rule)

BEC: Passed
AUD: Passed
REG: Passed
FAR: Passed

Jared

[Anonymous]

@mini – Ok, we'll play this game. If someone passes three exams in two windows and is then diagnosed with cancer. Twelve months of chemotherapy and then they are cancer free. They are pushing the 18 month window at that point. In that circumstance, they should be given a little more time. What if their child had cancer? Do you think they should lose a score because they were at St. Jude's and couldn't go take a test? What if their spouse was in a terrible car wreck? In this economy, what if the candidate is the primary bread winner in the house and they lost their job? Hmmm, feed my kids and pay the light bill with this $250 or take a test? I think most people would chose to buy groceries and keep the lights on. I'm saying that bending the 18 month rule isn't BS. It's valid under certain circumstances and should be there. I don't think they should just arbitrarily bend the rule, but I don't believe they do. Besides, how does it hurt you, or me or anyone else, for a state board to let someone who has been through hell catch a break? It doesn't. A little compassion goes a long way.

[Minimorty]

Yeah, we're just going to have to agree to disagree on this one. Everyone is going to go through something in their lives. You either push through it, or you take a break and come back to it when things have settled down. There are too many “exceptions” to the rule that you could think of. How do you verify? Who determines what should and should not be an exception? Look, compassion is great, but in this situation it doesnt make any sense. It is not outrageously difficult to pass four exams within an 18 month window. Extending the 18 month window provides an advantage. Plain and simple. I dont think the window should be extended under any circumstances.

[Anonymous]

And how does extending the 18 month Rule for someone hurt you, or me or anyone else? I think you are wrong. I'm sure you are a great CPA and a wonderful accountant because you didn't struggle to pass the exam and you never lost a score, but I think you might want to work on being human.

[Author]

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