[skyblue]

I saw a thread like this for 2018, so I’m starting a new one for 2019.

Here’s where I’m at so far:

1/7/19 — mailed in full application form along with check, except for work experience certificate
1/9/19 – delivered to CBA (based on UPS tracking #)
as of now – check not cashed yet
Heard the CBA is very slow – let’s see how long it will take…

[TerriSilva]

so NOW they are giving me the credit toward ethics requirement, BUT NOW I get an email that I still need 4 1/3 college credits! WTactualF??? This is bullshit.

[She]

Timeframe(UPDATED)

04-05-2019 Application and $250 check mailed to CBA
04-08-2019 Application received per tracking, check not cashed
04-11-2019 Received email from CBA stating application was received, check still not cashed
04-19-2019 Check for $250 cashed
04-24-2019 Passed PETH exam
05-01-2019 CPA Licensure Initial Status Letter from CBA stating they require Verification of out-of-country supervisor's license from the licensing body in India.
05-07-2019 Licencing Body in India sent the employer license verification to CBA
05-24-2019 Initial license fee request received.

[Chris]

My timeline as I just received my number this morning.

12/28 Fingerprints submitted
3/21 All four sections passed along with ethics
3/21 Sent in application with $250
4/19 CBA emailed me and said I was missing an hours form
5/15 Hours form submitted (boss on vacation).
6/3 CBA asked for criminal conviction disclosure form. Signed and sent in within 10 minutes
6/3 Got initial licensure request
6/12 $120 check cashed by CBA
6/25 Got my license number by email.

My only piece of advice is if the CBA asks for something, drop everything and do it that second. If you don't, your application will go to the back of the line.

[She]

Timeframe

04-05-2019 Application and $250 check mailed to CBA
04-08-2019 Application received per tracking, check not cashed
04-11-2019 Received email from CBA stating application was received, check still not cashed
04-19-2019 Check for $250 cashed
04-24-2019 Passed PETH exam
05-01-2019 CPA Licensure Initial Status Letter from CBA stating they require Verification of out-of-country supervisor's license from the licensing body in India.
05-07-2019 Licencing Body in India sent the employer license verification to CBA
05-24-2019 Initial license fee request received.
05-27-2019 Sent Initial License fee of $120
06-20-2019 Got the License number on email
07-14-2019 Got the Wall certificate in mail.

Just wonderng did anyone get their pocket ID too?

[Todd]

Pocket ID arrived a week after I received certificate

[mtlgemini]

5/29/19: Application mailed along with check for $250.
6/03/19: Application received by the board per Certified Return Receipt.
6/11/19: Emailed CBA to ask about the application status.
6/12/19: Live scan form received.
6/13/19: Check for $250 cashed. Live scan performed and transmitted to the CBA.
6/29/19: Correspondence that said that I have met requirements received. Initial license fee of $120 requested.
7/01/19: Initial license fee of $120 mailed.
7/12/19: Called the board to check if my $120 check made it there (I didn't send it certified). They said they received it.
7/16/19: Initial license fee of $120 cashed.
7/22/19: Congratulatory email with license number received.

My name isn't showing up on the website so we'll see how long that takes. Overall it was a little under 2 months.

[jennie]

hi all. just wanted to share my timeline:
5/23/19: passed all 4 sections of cpa exams
6/17/19: passed ethics exam
6/18/19: mailed application & $250 check to CBA
6/27/19: $250 check cashed
6/28/19: live scan request received & sent it back the same day
7/17/19: initial license fee request received & mailed $120 check the same day
7/29/19: received license# via email ($120 check not cashed yet)

[TerriSilva]

called CBA this morning and they said they have my initial license fee check ($120) – she said if I don't get the email with the license number in 7 days to call back. This has been a long journey! I was hoping I would get the email sooner but judging by all of your timelines, it may be a week or more. I have found that whenever I call them things do move faster. We'll see!

[TerriSilva]

Updated update:

Update:

1/31/19 passed last exam (FAR!)
3/2/19 passed ethics
3/27/19 (today) mailing out license application
3/29/19 application arrived at CBA per tracking
4/4/19 email response from CBA that they have my application being processed by the cashier unit, which can take up to 2 weeks. Then it will go to the initial licensing unit and it should be reviewed within 30 days of receipt at the office.
4/8/19 email from CBA that they have received my application and I need to do a live scan. I did this already so I have emailed it over to them – I thought I had put it in with my app but I guess I did not. Next step is for them to review application and documents 🙂
4/17/19 check cleared the bank
between 4/17 and 7/23 I took a 5 week class online, passed it, sent transcripts, got email notification that I still needed 1 1/3 college credits, ordered transcripts from 1989 for a class I took that I don't remember finishing and found I passed and earned 3 credits for, sent those transcripts
8/1/19 received email from CBA for pre-approval and to send my license fee
8/2/19 sent check
8/15 check cashed
TODAY AUGUST 19th received email with California CPA license number!!!! WHEW! That shit took forever!

[TerriSilva]

updated
Updated update:

Update:

1/31/19 passed last exam (FAR!)
3/2/19 passed ethics
3/27/19 (today) mailing out license application
3/29/19 application arrived at CBA per tracking
4/4/19 email response from CBA that they have my application being processed by the cashier unit, which can take up to 2 weeks. Then it will go to the initial licensing unit and it should be reviewed within 30 days of receipt at the office.
4/8/19 email from CBA that they have received my application and I need to do a live scan. I did this already so I have emailed it over to them – I thought I had put it in with my app but I guess I did not. Next step is for them to review application and documents 🙂
4/17/19 check cleared the bank
between 4/17 and 7/23 I took a 5 week class online, passed it, sent transcripts, got email notification that I still needed 1 1/3 college credits, ordered transcripts from 1989 for a class I took that I don't remember finishing and found I passed and earned 3 credits for, sent those transcripts
8/1/19 received email from CBA for pre-approval and to send my license fee
8/2/19 sent check
8/15 check cashed
TODAY AUGUST 19th received email with California CPA license number!!!! WHEW! That shit took forever!

9/3 wall certificate arrived! that was quick…frame is ordered and will be here on Monday. Post office of course dented the tube it was in…you know the one that says DO NOT BEND? fuckers.
it should be okay but has a crinkle in the middle.

[NoName]

I just sent in my final application fee a few weeks back after going through all the other steps. My license should be arriving any day now and then I'll add my timeline details as well.

[simone]

This might be a really dumb question, but how do I track my license status? Is the status on the CBA website?

[joedwilson12]

Thought I would add my experience in here – definitely got through a lot faster than some, I wonder if the process time is slower in Q1 & Q2 than in the later half of the year

9/19 Passed my last exam

9/20 Submitted Application & Fee (Check Cashed 10/10)

10/8 Received Acknowledgement of App & Request for live scan

10/9 Submitted Live scan background check (Processed 10/9)

10/15 Received Request for Initial License Fee

10/15 Mailed Initial License Fee (Check still not cashed as of 10/25)

10/25 Received License

[Mitchell]

Has anyone had additional difficulty in having their license application reviewed due to COVID? The CBA's website mentions that you should hear back within ~4 weeks. As this is the end the 7th week, I'm beginning to worry whether the application was even received. However, I was planning to wait at least 8 weeks before really beginning to worry. I've been told assume double the time for any timeframe the CBA provides.

The reason this is frustrating is due to the fact that the fingerprint/livescan forms are not available in any way other than the CBA's direct email/mail (or so I've been told). If it were possible to begin the fingerprint/background review during this lengthy application review process, I think that would be ideal for all incoming CPAs. I initially thought 10/31 might be realistic to get my license number, but now it's starting to look closer to 12/31.

Feb 2020 – Received notification of passing grade on final exam. Passed PETH in same timeframe.
7/28 – Obtained year of experience.
8/3 – Submitted license application.
9/18 – Still have yet to hear from the CBA.

[Author]

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