[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

[jombe]

What I didn't list below was done in 2017 (such as passing exams, ethics exam, sent transcripts, etc)

4/26/18 live scan sent
5/2/18 application rec'd at CBA (via UPS tracking, not acknowledgement card)
5/8/18 emailed CBA asking why my check hasn't been cashed
5/9/18 per CBA, it takes 3~4 weeks for the application to go from the mail room to whoever that reviews it
6/5/18 Rec'd acknowledgement card saying CBA rec'd my application
8/13/18 Rec'd a letter saying I didn't check off a box. Fixed the situation via email.
9/7/18 Status update letter – “We have received all of the documents required to initiate the evaluation of your application for licensure. Results of this review will be mailed to you in approximately four to six weeks”
9/17/18 – Status update letter – “…you may need to appear before our QC with work papers before a license with attest authority can be issued… Alternately, you may choose to change your application to seek licensure without attest authority (general)…”
9/19/18 – Status updat letter – appear before QC on 10/24/18.
10/24/18 – Appeared before QC to talk about my attest experience. I was told I will get a license w/ attest authority at the end of interview.
11/6/18 – Got a letter asking for initial licensing fee and that I will get a license w/ attest authority
11/9/18 – payment arrived at CBA.
11/27/18 – my check was cashed according to my bank
12/7/18 – CBA emailed me my license #. I still couldn't look it up online at this time.
12/10/18 – I can finally look up my license # online. I am officially a CPA!
–
1/1/2015 was when I started studying for the exams. Took me about 4 years from then to obtain my CPA license. It's been a long journey, but it was well worth it. Good luck to the rest of you!

FAR - 94 (10/4/15), Local Prep Online Lectures, BISK & NINJA MCQ
AUD - 99 (1/19/16), Local Prep Online Lectures, BISK & NINJA MCQ
REG - 96 (4/19/16), Local Prep Online Lectures, BISK & NINJA MCQ
BEC - 91 (7/19/16), Local Prep Online Lectures, BISK & NINJA MCQ

581 days of listening to lectures, reading texts & 10,000+ MCQs...

[tbdice]

09/20/17 – Passed all of my exams
07/20/18 – Submitted my application, did live screen, firm submitted my audit hours, I have my MSA so I have all my educational credits
07/30/18 – CBA received my application
08/03/18 – CBA cashed my check
08/07/18 – Received my postcard post dated 8/3
08/07/18 – Passed my ethics exam
09/19/18 – Called the CBA. They said they were just starting to process initial review for applications received on 7/10, and I probably won't be done with the initial review process for another 4-6 weeks.
10/01/18 – Received an email that I forgot to sign the criminal disclosure form. DOH! Didn't notice the email until the following Friday, 10/5.
10/05/18 – Emailed SIGNED criminal disclosure form – but my application had to go back into the wait line, which is completely my fault.
10/19/18 – Received email that my application is finally going into final review.
12/11/18 – Finally received email asking for the $120 check and mailed it in same day. They received it 12/14/18.

[turo9992000]

It's my turn finally.

06/27/18 Received last passing score (FAR)
06/28/18 Sent in license application
06/28/18 Got fingerprinted
06/30/18 CBA received application
07/18/18 CBA cashed $250 check
09/01/18 Got married
09/19/18 Received letter that I had not passed ethics exam
10/24/18 Passed ethics exam and contacted CBA to let them know
11/29/18 Received email that I met the requirements for a license and to send $120 check.
11/29/18 Sent the check
12/03/18 CBA receives initial license form
12/18/18 CBA cashed check
12/20/18 License issued
12/21/18 Received email with license number, I show up online and should receive my wall certificate soon.

Thank you to everyone here and to Jeff for making this process bearable and somewhat entertaining.

[Ana]

Hi all, I'm confused as to why people are sending $120 checks for the last step when my form said $60 is postmarked by 7/31/19 and $120 if after 7/31/19. Are there different fees? I just hope I don't delay the process by sending the wrong amount even though it's clear as day on my form. Thanks!

[TommyTheCat]

the 120 versus 60 fee is driven by your DOB. For me it was a 60 license fee, since I was approved in October and my birth month is May. My initial year licensure period was going to be just basically a half year so they discount the first year fee accordingly.

Each subsequent year when I renew by May its 120 and it covers the full next year.

[TommyTheCat]

i should have added…the CBA uses your DOB as the month in which your license needs to be renewed. Rather than basing it off of the day your first application was actually accepted. It probably makes it easier for them that licenses have just 12 expiration/renewal deadline…the last day of each month.

[Ana]

thanks for the info! can you believe i'll be licensed in the next month or so???? took another year post passing the exams. gotta love california! I thought it had to do with the bday month but wanted to be sure.

[Small4]

Ana, you read my mind, I too was worried since i paid $60. I realize i received a pre-approval letter back in end of Nov '18 and sat in my inbox for a while arghh. Anyways, the initial license fee for mine states if postmarked on or before 3/31/2019, its $60……..so i just paid that via money order. Now waiting. Then i got worried if i misunderstood it so i'm glad i wasnt the only one wondering.

So long story short…i submitted my CA application 10/23. It took 11/29 to get the pre-approval letter. The CA person i talked to wasn't lying that they have sped up their review time, this was only a month wait. User error on my end for not seeing the pre-approval letter till now but i presume that takes about a month too. So i say 2-3 months is the “faster” approval rate…

Hoping to END this journey soon…..passed these exams late 2016 (after a decade of failing and giving up and pushing it aside on and off), then two years essentially of making up units i lacked and ethics exam…..to arrive to this.

BEC - 68,70,72,75 5/15
AUD - 78(expired), 77 8/15
REG - 29,58,65,77 1/16
FAR - 56,68,73 - retake October hopefully (last shot)

Been doing this since 2007 on and off...

[jennknee]

12/2010 – decide to go back to school to pursue accounting, register for community colleges
2010-2013, take classes while working at dead end jobs
2013-2014 – pass exams!

fast forward to 2018
jul-dec 2018: taking classes to satisfy education requirements
nov 2018 – pass ethics
11/26 – send application with fingerprint, live scan disclosure, etc. everything except transcripts and experience form
11/28 – usps website says application is received
12/11 – cba cashes check, surprising me as i thought it would take at least a month
12/15 – mail signed experience form
12/17 – experience form noted as received on usps website
12/19 – receive initial status letter via email saying classes incomplete, experience form missing
12/19 – phone call where i was told “you can call back if it makes you feel better” when asking about experience form that was to be received
12/31 – receive emailed letter asking for license fee
1/2 – mail check
1/4 – usps says check has been received

waiting… waiting… waiting. my hardest part was actually getting to work for a cpa and so i restarted after finally getting the experience.
hope this journey will be over soon.

AUD - 7/5/13 - 93
FAR - 8/24/13 - 91
BEC - 11/30/13 - 92
REG - 2/24/14 - 91! DONE!

CPAreviewforFREE, Wiley Test Bank, Becker, and NINJA FLASHCARDS. <3
Candidate from California

[Author]

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