[TheMaker117]

For those in California who are interested in the processing time of applications for getting the CPA license for 2016 (and maybe as a rough idea for 2017), here’s the tracking progress of what happened to me when I submitted my Initial License Application to the CBA.

11/14/2016: Passed the Ethics Exam (PETH Exam)

11/15/2016: Sent all of my college transcripts online to California Board of Accountancy.

11/16/2016: Finished my Fingerprint livescan.

11/16/2016: Mailed over my initial licensing application to the CBA
Note: I’ve used USPS Priority mail to send over my application quicker and track down when the application arrives to the CBA in Sacramento. So, normal mail may take up between 7 to 10 days.

11/18/2016: CBA received my initial licensing application – (Found out via USPS Priority mail tracking website).

11/30/2016: CBA cashed in my check for the $250 application fee.

12/09/2016: Received Acknowledgement Card by CBA.

12/12/2016: Received CBA letter (dated 12/07/2016) that all CPA application documents have been received. Results of review will be in 4-6 weeks.

12/19/2016: Received Letter (dated 12/14/2016) that my Official CPA license will be approved after sending over CPA initial license fee ($120.00) and bottom portion of this same letter (containing my name and “address of record”) to California Board of Accountancy (CBA).

12/21/2016: USPS Priority mailed over the $120.00 initial license fee (check) to California Board of Accountancy (CBA).

12/23/2016: CBA received my $120.00 initial license fee (check) and “lower portion of the letter, containing my name and address of record”. – (Found out via USPS Priority mail tracking website).

1/10/2017: CBA cashed in my $120.00 check for the initial licensing fee.

1/22/2017: Went to the CBA CPA license look-up website and found out that I am officially licensed. Expecting my official wall certificate in the next several weeks.

Note:
* I met all the requirements (college courses and signed off work hours) to be a licensed CPA before the Education requirement change happening on Jan 1, 2017. The Education requirement starting on Jan 1, 2017 and onward is where new CPA license candidates must take an additional Accounting Ethics class.

FAR (08/2015): 84
AUD (11/2015): 89
REG (06/2016): 84
BEC: In Progress

[ultrarunner]

Amandah, thanks for sharing. You should file a complaint about the professor 🙁 I have never had professors like that. Anyway, I also took Ethics just in case. I am afraid that I may need more accounting credits though. I am taking accounting classes for my program anyway. I just hope that I got approved. Best wishes to you.

FAR 72,67,79 (Roger+Wiley test bank)11/15
AUD 80 (Roger)10/15
BEC 80 (Roger)4/16
REG 63,78 (Roger+Ninja MCQs)5/16

[Anonymous]

• 12/8/16 – Received last passing score.
• 12/9/16 – Passed Ethics test.
• 12/9/16 – Performed Live Scan.
• 12/9/16 – Resent my transcripts.
• 12/9/16 – Workplace certified my hours and sent in my experience certification form.
• 12/9/16 – Sent out my completed application and payment via overnight mail with copies of my Live Scan form, Ethics Test score, and experience certification form (not required, but to make it easier on the State Board).
• 12/12/16 – CBA receives my completed application
• 12/29/16 – CBA sends a letter to me saying that they've received my application and will send me a status update within 30 days.

I hadn't heard anything from them since, so I gave them a call today (2/8/17). This is what the CBA lady told me…

Estimated dates as follows:
• 2/15/17 – Application review process should start and CBA will send me a letter stating that it's begun. Estimated review time is 4-6 weeks.
• If application and requirements are in order, CBA will send me a Pre-Approval Letter and that I'll be licensed after sending over licensing fee ($60 or $120).
• 4-6 weeks to open license fee check and deposit it.
• 4-6 weeks to process and issue my license.

Damn. Just….damn.

[NeedsA75]

Wow the timeline seems utterly ridiculous in CA. My friend in VA mailed in his application and had his license number 2 business days after they received his paperwork.

[benboccio]

That's not bad at all. My NY license is taking forever. My check cleared on 3/28. I'm still waiting as of 7/4.

[hasy]

I didn't want to make a new thread about this when I KNEW something like this was around.

Journey to CPA timeline:

10/23/15: Took my first exam (BEC).
12/10/16: Took my last exam (REG).
12/16/16: Discovered I passed.
12/25/16: Passed PETH.
12/27/16: Mailed my application and they should have received it on the 29th.
3/18/17: I returned from Japan to see that they found my application deficient of 1/3 of an accounting unit. By then, I already completed an accounting course at Foothill and have fortunately enrolled in an impacted accounting ethics course for spring. >.<”
7/7/17: Final grades at Foothill posted and immediately ordered my transcript.
8/1/17: They have received all my documents and beginning final review phase.
8/5/17: Received my licensing stub fee in the mail.
8/8/17: Mailed it out, using snail mail. (I just could not keep justifying spending more on postage for this annoying procedure and I have a bunch of pretty cherry blossoms stamps I want to use).

I think truly from beginning to end, like it really took me 2 FULL years. It was technically more since I spent an extra two semesters following graduation to take additional classes to get more units. I just want to so desperately update the letters after my name on Linkedin….. I already missed the deadline to be licensed while I'm 24 🙁

Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved - Helen Keller

-

BEC 80 (10/23/15)
FAR 72 (4/2/15); 83 (7/11/16)
REG 52 (4/28/15)
AUD (9/9/16)

Roger + NINJA MCQ + WTB

[CPA50]

Congrats hasy! I have a continuing tale of dragging the pain out until I'm sooooo done with the process! Hubby still says I could have done law school and passed the bar by this time.
I sent in my paperwork, but was short education credits on December 31, so took extra courses at Foothill in June/July.
Transcripts were sent, and I received another letter from the Board, but this time they say I need MORE credits than I needed at the date of the previous letter in May. They also said I was short on the 24 Business credits, which I had to have to sit for the Exam, so that simply isn't possible.
Every time a new reviewer looks at my application, they come up with a different number.
Because most of my education credits are from 30 (gulp) years ago, I downloaded my original course catalogs and created a addendum to my official transcripts and expanded the truncated names and added descriptions.
Fingers crossed that someone there will understand and count all my credits. I just can't believe this process.
FYI – It took 3 different reviewers with 3 different opinions to finally approve the credits I needed to sit for the exam, so this isn't anything new, but still!
Sorry, just had to rant to folks who understand 🙂

AUD 88 (expired), 80 retake
FAR 64,69,67,73,67,73,73,73, August 3
REG 75 (expired) September 7
BEC 72, 77

The adventure continues...

[Finally_a_CPA]

Yeah this is a long process.
My timeline so far is:

10/10/2016: Took first exam
03/10/2017: Took fourth exam
03/21/2017: Found out I passed fourth exam
04/15/2017: Began online ethics course
06/06/2017: Grades for ethics course posted
06/15/2017: Passed PETH Ethics Exam
06/21/2017: Sent in application
06/23/2017: Application received by CBA
08/04/2017: Check cashed by CBA (That took forever!)

Now time for me to continue playing the waiting game!

[Finally_a_CPA]

Update:

10/10/2016: Took first exam
03/10/2017: Took fourth exam
03/21/2017: Found out I passed fourth exam
04/15/2017: Began online ethics course
06/06/2017: Grades for ethics course posted
06/15/2017: Passed PETH Ethics Exam
06/21/2017: Sent in application
06/23/2017: Application received by CBA
08/04/2017: Check cashed by CBA (That took forever!)
08/15/2017: Found two letters on mail (both dated 8/07/2017).
1. First letter – Notifying me all the info had been received. I was told to wait 4-6 weeks for
them to review my application and info.
2. Second letter – Informed me that application had been approved. CPA license # to be issued as
soon as they received initial application fee.
8/16/2017: Mailed check

So I might be lucky and actually become licensed two months after sending in application. I'll give it a couple of days for them to receive my payment and then I'll constantly check CBA website to see if my name shows up there!

[Anonymous]

Congrats @finally_a_CPA ! The CBA received my application last Thursday and I keep checking my bank account to see if they cashed the application fee yet, but based on your timeline it may be a whole month before they do! From what I read, it seems it really does take 2 month's to be licensed.

[arobinson]

My timeline, in case somebody is in the same situation.

03/21/2017: Found out that passed fourth exam
04/5/2017: Passed PETH Ethics Exam
04/6/2017: Sent in application
04/10/2017: Check cashed by CBA
04/28/2017: Got acknowledgement card saying CBA received my application for licensure
05/17/2017: Received letter from CBA stating I need to submit out-of-state employer license verification
06/15/2017: Employer license verification letter sent to CBA
08/18/2017: Received Letter saying that license will be approved after sending over CPA initial license fee
08/25/2017: Mailed check to CBA
08/28/2017: Check received by CBA
09/12/2017: Check cashed by CBA
09/19/2017: Finally found my name and license number in CBA CPA license look-up

[Author]

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