[MikeInMIA]

Greetings,

I recently passed all four sections of the cpa exam. I wanted to get feedback on a question, to make sure I didn’t miss something, before I apply for a license in Colorado. I took the exams out of Colorado because they (at least I hope it hasn’t changed while I wasn’t looking..) license without work experience if you meet educational requirements. I did this because I do not have enough work experience in my own state and with economic uncertainties (threat of job loss) I wanted my license to be a certainty. Also, I’ve been applying to new jobs all over the country as upgrades. I do not plan to write my name as “My Name, CPA” any time soon. At best I will write on my resume something like “passed all four parts of CPA exam” or “Colorado CPA license”.

My question is: If I do not plan on using the title “CPA” and I do not plan on signing things as a CPA, is there any reason to transfer a license from Colorado to the state that I reside?

[One day….]

You can't transfer a license from a state that requires no work experience to a state that requires work experience without having the required work experience. So if you don't plan on moving to Colorado, I wouldn't waste the money on the license.

One day is today! I'm DOOONNNNNEEEEE!!!!!!!!!

[pinkpink114]

I was under the impression that if you don't plan to go into public accounting it really doesn't matter what state your license is from. But I do believe that some states issue certificates or non-reporting licenses, which have restrictions.

MikeInMIA…how many months of experience do you have ? Maybe you would be eligible in another state for a regular license.

[Herbieherb]

Most states won't reciprocate. Your pretty much stuck in colorado till you get exp. You think you can bypass the system so easy? LOL

NEW YORK- DONE

[Anonymous]

I cant believe Colorado lets you get a license without any work experience. How can you hold yourself out there as a professional and take on all the responsibility and expertise that the title CPA implies and not have any work experience?

[MikeInMIA]

@pinkpink114

I was under the same impression.

@herbieherb

I'm not talking about trying to bypass the system. I mean leave a license in the other state for ever or at least until I settle to one place. That is, what is the benefit of having your license in the state you reside in versus having it in a state you don't reside in if you won't be holding yourself out as anything.

@CalCPA

are you talking about me personally or in general as of the rules there? I've made it clear I don't plan to..

[Anonymous]

@MikeinMIA, sorry not you personally! I was just commenting on the rules. Im in CA, and it seems like everything is so much harder. We have a more difficult ethics test, they are eliminating the 120 unit pathway and requiring 150 units with more ethics unit requirements, plus experience, and we have no certification option, just the licensing option.

I just was imagining applying for a job and losing it to someone who had an out of state license from a state with easier requirements than in CA. Even if they put on their resume that it was an out of state license, I bet the employer might still pick them over me who doesnt have a license at all.

[Elaine]

First off Congratulations on passing all four!! I have a question: so you said you took the exams out of Colorado, then I guess you took them in your own state- How were you able to apply to take them under Colorado state when you don't live there? I'm asking because I currently plan to take exams in California under Maine, because Maine doesn't require educational requirements to SIT for the exam.

[MikeInMIA]

@ Elaine

States write whether they have a residency requirement or not on the state board's website or the nasba website. They also write their other requirements. If you meet the requirements of another state fill out that state's application and apply. You can then go to your local testing center and take what ever state's exam there

[Herbieherb]

@mike if you get licensed in CO, you still can't get licensed elsewhere without the work exp that state requires. Get it to open doors and opportunites. The hardest part is passing. The reason those states don't have a work exp requirement is because they have a severe shortage and want to attract bright workers…maybe you can get a job there?

NEW YORK- DONE

[Author]

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