[Anonymous]

I’m not sure if someone has asked this before, I did a search and did not find anything.

Is there a difference in license between Pathway 1 and Pathway 2 besides the requirements? I’m assuming there isn’t any differences. The problem is I have about ~140 semester units of education and have worked more than 2 yrs in a cpa firm. So I qualify under Pathway 1, but I don’t want to lose out on any opportunities under Pathway 2.

What got me thinking about this is the sentence in the Licensure Handbook posted on the CBA website “Applicants applying for licensure under Pathway 0 or Pathway 1 will not be able to change to Pathway 2 once a license number has been issued and the approval notification is mailed from the Board.”

Since it says once a license number has been issued, that means you’re already approved as a CPA, why would someone want to apply for Pathway 2?

Thanks.

[italianCPA]

Under pathway 2 you can apply for a license in another state.

Pathway 2 is generally recognized in other states (you still have to apply for a license in that state though).

I suggest you take about 10 credits at a local community college and go over the 150-hr.

Who knows what they will change in the future!

FAR - 7/26/10 - 95
AUD - 8/10/10 - 88
BEC - 8/31/10 - 88
REG - 10/15/10 - 95

[potatogun]

Plus you will be more valuable to your firm or future firms. CA is suppose to be phasing out the 120unit pathway in the near future anyways. A lot of firms in fact pressure new hires to go with the 150 unit pathway now. Just take some city college classes as italianCPA recommended. That's what I have been doing and I needed like 35 units (on a quarter system so 225units total).

FAR 92 - AUD 91 - REG 94 - BEC 86

[Anonymous]

What if I apply for Pathway 1 to get licensed now and go back to school in the future to finish off the 10 units? Would that work for other states as long as I completed 150 units? Or do they really care about which pathway I choose in CA?

I just took my last exam on Monday, so if all goes well I want to get licensed in 2010 instead of going to a CC to take classes and wait until early 2011 to get licensed.

[Iwillpasswithalife]

How do you find out how many units the CA board approved for you. I am on the borderline of the 150 and I've taken 3/4 exams already, but I have no idea what pathway I'm on. If I have to make up a few units, I would have to do that before I pass the ethics exam or can I pass the ethics exam after I pass all 4 of my parts then take the classes I need to hit my 150.

I know I'm very close to 150, just not sure how many units I'm off. I actually could be over 150 units as well. It really depends on what they approved.

REG - 67, 76 (Q4 2009) - Used CPAExcel first time, Used CPAExcel + CPAReviewForFree
BEC - 83 (Q1 2010) - CPAExcel + CPAReviewForFree
AUD - 89 (Q2 2010) - CPAExcel + CPAReviewForFree
FAR - 81 (Q4 2010) - Roger CPA + CPAReviwForFree

[potatogun]

The additional units to reach 150unit do not need to be special classes, just from an accredited school. If you were able to sit at all you had enough units for accounting and business in your application transcripts. You just simply need 150 units for the pathway 2. Obviously check transcripts to figure out what you have, that's what you would have sent from the schools to the CBA anyways.

I believe you decide the pathway when you apply for your licensure. You don't need the 150 units before finishing the testing or experience, just when you have everything all together for getting your license processed.

FAR 92 - AUD 91 - REG 94 - BEC 86

[Iwillpasswithalife]

I have all my transcripts and they add to over 150, but I have some remidial class I took at Community College that I'm not sure they would count. If they count those I am over 150, if not I am under.

I guess I can't really visit the issue until after I have all 4 parts done + ethics exam?

Also, I have never taken any on-line courses. Am I able to take on-line courses at my community college and they will count? I know a few people just took dance or gym and got a few units that way lol.

REG - 67, 76 (Q4 2009) - Used CPAExcel first time, Used CPAExcel + CPAReviewForFree
BEC - 83 (Q1 2010) - CPAExcel + CPAReviewForFree
AUD - 89 (Q2 2010) - CPAExcel + CPAReviewForFree
FAR - 81 (Q4 2010) - Roger CPA + CPAReviwForFree

[potatogun]

Well send your transcripts to CBA because they can file them to your record before you apply for the full license, I believe. But you can always ask. But, yes, I take online classes from De Anza. And actually that's what I have been doing in totality for all my “extra” units.

FAR 92 - AUD 91 - REG 94 - BEC 86

[Iwillpasswithalife]

CBA has my transcripts. I sent them in when I first applied for the exam to take my first section. I'll try giving them a call this week. I figured they would tell me how many units I have after I applied :-/.

REG - 67, 76 (Q4 2009) - Used CPAExcel first time, Used CPAExcel + CPAReviewForFree
BEC - 83 (Q1 2010) - CPAExcel + CPAReviewForFree
AUD - 89 (Q2 2010) - CPAExcel + CPAReviewForFree
FAR - 81 (Q4 2010) - Roger CPA + CPAReviwForFree

[Anonymous]

So for someone in CA who has over 150 units, pathway 2 is the best way to go? doesnt matter if i still havent decided tax or audit route (more likely i;ll go tax route).

[MJP]

re the ethics exam, when should it be taken? Is there like a required time that it should be taken before applying for a license?

Thanks!

BEC - 85 | AUD - 92 | FAR - 95 | REG - 87

[xcing1030]

The ethics exam should be taken 2 years or sooner before you apply for licensure.

My application is under the “review” process, they have everything they need to make a decision. Does it really take 90-120 days???? its a pretty unreal wait, especially if you find out your application is deficient.

Thanks!

FAR 77, AUD 78, REG 75, BEC 76

[potatogun]

2 years before you apply? What if you haven't even spent 2 years total taking the exams and getting experience? That doesn't seem to make sense. I thought you just needed to send in a copy of you passing the ethics exam from the issuer of it to the CBA…

FAR 92 - AUD 91 - REG 94 - BEC 86

[MJP]

i agree with potatogun. doesn't seem to make sense. Is that like a stiff rule?

BEC - 85 | AUD - 92 | FAR - 95 | REG - 87

[financeguy]

maybe he meant no sooner than 2 years before you apply. Meaning don't take the ethics exam and then 5 years later apply for the license…

AUD - 81, BEC - 74, 80, FAR - 82, REG - 81
Done!

[Anonymous]

Here's what I think you may do. Finish taking all your exams first. If you have met the work experience requirement already, then take the ethics test after you finish your last exam since there's the long waiting period to receive the results anyway. You submit the answers for the ethics exam online so you will receive results in a week, I believe.

If you don't have the work experience and you have passed all parts, then take the ethics exam right before you hit your work requirements. The license application takes about a month to complete by CBA so by the time you're done submitting all the applications, you'll have the work experience and the ethics done.

[Author]

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