[Heena93]

Hi friends,

I am in a big confusion. Pls help me!!!

I am a CPA student from India. I am planning to give my CPA exams in February 2018.

Is there any requirement that I have to compulsorily apply for CPA license even though I have to do a job (do not want to practice in any state) after giving my exams if I give them from USA.

Because I found that if I will give my exam from Dubai, then I have to apply for the license within 3 years of passing the exams?

Thanks a lot in advance.

[oisbuddy]

Certificate means you passed the exam and is usually issued by the state board of accountancy if you were here in the states. The license means you can call yourself a CPA and is issued by the professional licensing agency here in the states. Technically, you are not a CPA without being licensed. Licensure requires CPE to be completed and for you to have 1 year accounting experience. Not sure how it works overseas though. I would think any employer would be happy to have a certified person since the licensure part is easy and CPE is usually provided by the employer. Good luck!

[Heena93]

@oisbuddy Thank you so much for your answer.

Actually, the license requires a minimum one year of training directly under a CPA. I am living in India and hence, it will be difficult for me. I just want to have the certificate of CPA. But I am just afraid that AICPA will cancel my certificate if I will not apply for the certificate. Is it true or not?

[CageTheCPA]

I don't think the CPA certificate is offered anymore. Maybe Guam or the Virgin Island, but I think all states are now one-tier states.

[oisbuddy]

@Heena:

The AICPA website says the following: The application process is basically the same for U.S. and international candidates alike. Prospective candidates must select the U.S. jurisdiction to which they will apply, contact the Board of Accountancy (or its agent) in that jurisdiction to obtain application materials, submit completed applications and required fees as instructed, and once deemed qualified, schedule the examination. Any special requirements that international applicants must meet (such as arranging for an evaluation of their educational credentials by an agency approved by the board) are explained in accountancy board application instructions.

So your first step is to figure out which jurisdiction you want to apply in. There are some (very few) states in which the exam credits expire after you have passed all four parts (I believe Florida expires in 3 years and Oregon expires in 8 years). I live in Illinois and read on the board of accountancy's website that they do not ever expire:

https://www.ilboe.org/certification/uniform-cpa-exam/

So my advice to you – Make sure you apply with a state that does not allow the credits to expire. Also, contact the jurisdiction to confirm any other peculiarities with foreign applications.

[Heena93]

@oisbuddy

I have already for Montana.

[moinkas]

@Heena,

I have already applied and appear for CPA exams. I am also from India. In respect to your query I would say that it necessary to apply for licensure to call yourself a CPA. However, you can still appear for exams and pass this exam but you would need to apply to state board where your exams credit would not expire. Just in case if you ever need to apply for licensure the credit for your score would still be available and you would just need to fulfil the licensure requirement other than passing of exams.

And in respect to your query on appearing from Dubai and credit expiry of your exams. The same will hold true if you have not applied licensure. Hope it clarifies.

[Heena93]

@moinkas

Thank you so much for your answer. Can I have your email id so that I can contact you directly? I have many questions for International candidates which you really can answer and understand.

[moinkas]

@Heena1234

You can directly contact me on LinkedIn the name is Mohd Moin Kas. It would more convient over there.

[Author]

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