[GoBears123]

I saw a thread like this for past years, so I’m starting one for 2018.

Here’s where I’m at so far:

2/26/18 — mailed in full application, with all requirements completed

3/19/18 — $250 application fee check cashed

Now waiting for some type of word from the CBA.

Gotta say — the CBA is SUPER frustrating to deal with.

Anyone else going through the the same waiting game??

FAR - 6/4/16 - 82
AUD - 8/27/16
REG - TBD
BEC - TBD

[Choco415]

Hi GoBears123,

I’m thinking of seeking licensure in CA.

Could you please share some of your frustrating experiences with the CBA (aside from the score release fiascos, of course)?

[Anonymous]

Hi GoBears123 I'm familiar with the 2017 thread you are referring to and I've used it as a general guide, so I think this is a great idea for those in the dark on the CA CBA process.

Completely agree on the board, it's bordering on ridiculous with them right now, see my thoughts below.

I sent in my application along with all necessary documents earlier-mid December (I had completed different parts of the application throughout Q4, but not everything was ready until I submitted my application.)

mid-January-Letter indicating they are reviewing application received, 4-6 week target timing

late-February- Contacted CBA asking what the status was on the board not making a decision and what the hold up was as I was on the 6th/7th week of the targeted timing. Received a response indicating that the board had made a decision a week and a half after I received the letter indicating they would review the application. I reviewed the date of the letter and confirmed they had approved my application in late-January and were requesting the final $120 license fee to complete the license application. To this date, I have yet to receive this letter, and had I not been proactive about emailing I would not have known my application was approved, absolutely ridiculous.

early-March-submitted the $120 payment fee for initial licensure

mid-March-Check was cashiered

Today-Still waiting, I'm hoping I'll at least see my name entered into the CBA, because at this point, it's just ridiculous. How could it possibly take this long for them to enter in someone's name in the database. I'm fine with waiting for the actual license, I would like to update my title to CPA now though :/

So all in all, for anyone reading this, I would stay on top of them upon receiving the letter they are reviewing the application.

[Me.]

I am licensed in another State and I am relocating to California summer time (Returning after 8 years-Cali native), I contacted the CBA and I was told that it would be 4-6 months after I have sent everything in…and it would take at least a month to process the payment!! (What year is Cali operating in?)I am lacking the college ethics class which I am taking this next quarter, so I will not even be able to apply until end of June! So I speculate it will be the end of the year before I get my Cali CPA! Crazy! After I passed it in TN it took 6 weeks to get licensed here and I thought that was a long time!

REG - 50, 64, 73, 76
FAR - 67, 65, 67 Ugh!!!
BEC - 65
AUD - November 30

"You just can't beat the person who never gives up." -Babe Ruth

[cpacandidate408]

I'm in the same situation as you

Sent in application on 2/6

$250 Application Fee Cashed on 2/15

Received yellow acknowledgement card from CBA on 2/23 saying they have received application and will send a status letter within 30 days

Just contacted the CBA to see what's up with the status, I just want to officially say I'm a CPA!

[spsone07]

Hopefully doesnt take too long

FAR: passed
REG: passed
BEC: on deck
AUD: crying

"Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face." - Mike Tyson

[CPA788]

I mailed in my app in mid-December and still waiting. Only caveat is that one of mys schools sent their transcript before grades posted (thanks) and I had to have it resent in Jan. I called in once to make sure they received the updated transcript, said they did and it's in a queue to be processed. Got the 2nd update letter after that call saying they still didn't have enough units for me, but chocked that up to timing since I had recently confirmed they had all transcripts. I called back last week to get another status after radio silence for 6 weeks – woman told me she couldn't find my file “on the wall so it must be on an analyst's desk” and to call back in 4 weeks if I don't hear anything.

Holy frijole.

BEC - 74, 77
FAR - 72, 71 (retake 7/29)
REG - 69
AUD - Q4 '16

CA Candidate

[CPA788]

@cheeseman777 – can't believe they cashed your $120 check more than 2 weeks ago and you're STILL WAITING.

BEC - 74, 77
FAR - 72, 71 (retake 7/29)
REG - 69
AUD - Q4 '16

CA Candidate

[Anonymous]

11/16/17 – submitted fingerprints and $250 check
12/26/17 – received confirmation from CBA that everything was received
2/15/18 – application was reviewed and need to submit check for license (received this letter on 2/26)
2/27/18 – Sent check to FTB for license
3/12/18 – check cashed (showed up on bank statement)
3/20/18 – Name showed up on California website, officially a CPA

[CPAwannab]

Long time ago I made an assumption that everything in CA CBA takes at least 6 months to process, so I can peacefully go on with my life without frustration. I would like to be pleasantly surprised after I pass all exams but I am not counting on it.

[lurking_CPA]

4/6/18 – submitted fingerprints and $250 check

Let's see how long this takes…

[GoBears123]

Hi everyone — I want to thank you all for the responses. As I always find with this message board, it’s helpful to know I’m not alone in this horrible process of becoming a CPA 🙂

I have an update to my running timeline to share:

2/26/18 — mailed in full application, with all requirements completed

3/19/18 — $250 application fee check cashed

4/7/18 — received postcard from CBA (postmarked 4/3/18) acknowledging they received my application

They say I’ll get a status update within 30 days….

Insane how slow they are!

Sigh. The saga continues….

FAR - 6/4/16 - 82
AUD - 8/27/16
REG - TBD
BEC - TBD

[rwglapalma]

Figured I'd add my process timeline too, it's insane how long it takes the CBA to process everything.
2/5/18 – application received by CBA (sent certified mail return receipt requested)
2/14/18 – check cashed (Happy Valentine's Day!)
3/25/18 – called CBA licensing to request a status update on my application. Woman I spoke to stated they were still processing applications from late January and to expect 8-10 week delay which now I think means 8-10 weeks on top of the 4-6 weeks expected processing time

Good luck to everyone else waiting on their license! If I don't hear anything by the end of tax season I'm calling back

[lurking_CPA]

It's been a week and they haven't even cashed my check. I've got July promos and my firm wants feedback submitted in 48 days. The CPA is a “check the box” requirement for manager and having this lengthy delay is ridiculous. I had an online class that finished 4/1 for ethics units I needed…. seeing this processing time I wish I “pre-mailed” my application honestly before I submitted the final transcript.

Not to mention ALL The scoring delays… the exam format change in the middle of my testing process… This whole thing is an ordeal of frustration and I can't WAIT until it's really OVER!!!!!!

[KaliKingz]

I’ve been waiting since december. I received preapproval letter last week. Check sent the next day. I called, cba says about 5 weeks and I’ll get license

[lurking_CPA]

KALIKINGZ – how long from mailing the application did it take for them to at least cash your check and then send you a postcard?

I at least want to push my expense report through to my firm, but they're lagging on cashing the check too.

[Author]

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