[Anonymous]

Hello,

I was wondering how long does it take for the California Board to approve sitting for the CPA Exam? I just mailed the registration and just requested the transcripts from my school. Assuming the office receives everything needed for me to sit by next week in the mail, how long does it usually take for them to approve me to register to sit for the CPA Exams? I wanted to take my first exam in July, but my friend just told me they could take up to 4 months O_O. And let’s say it takes 2 months for them to approve for me to sit, should I go ahead and study as if my test was registered in July? Or should I only wait to study until I get approval to register for my first CPA exam (FAR)?

Thanks in Advanced!

[CPA2BEE]

The CA board takes forever. I wanna say after I had my application in and all of my transcripts in, it took 4-6 weeks? Lets say your transcripts get there this week, I'd say late April is probably the best they could do. If you're not sitting until July, then you have plenty of time but it wouldn't hurt to start studying, especially if you're doing FAR first. But yeah, expect them to drag their feet a little bit.

FAR - 80
AUD - 82
BEC - 80
REG - 85

ETHICS - 90
EXPERIENCE - COMPLETE
Application for California license mailed 8/4/2016

[MaLoTu]

I think that it is taking them a long time to process stuff. My re-apply took 3 weeks until I got the payment coupon. My initial went beyond their time frame, but they stopped processing it erroneously.

[Anonymous]

It will be for FAR and I wanted to give myself a good amount of time to study as it's been a while. That's a bit of a bummer, but I guess it doesn't really matter right? Let's say I get a May approval to sit, registration for July won't be a problem right? Like spots won't run out?

Thanks for the replies!

[CPA2BEE]

You can definitely schedule a July exam if you're approved in May, should be no problem at all. If you know you have the credentials to sit, then I'd say start studying ASAP! There is never enough time, especially with FAR.

FAR - 80
AUD - 82
BEC - 80
REG - 85

ETHICS - 90
EXPERIENCE - COMPLETE
Application for California license mailed 8/4/2016

[MaLoTu]

Even if you are approved in June, you will still, more than likely, be able to get a spot in July. I have found the beginning of the test window has more availability than the end.

Also, I think the Board's “high-end” for an initial application approval is 12 weeks … I have never heard of it taking 4 months under normal circumstances.

[Track55]

You'll hear back in May.

AUD - 74, 99 !!
REG - 74, 92
BEC - 83
FAR - 73, 86

Studying for Ethics exam

California candidate
Business and Industry

[hasy]

It took them approximately 5-6 weeks for them to approve my application. I emailed them at the fourth week to check the progress. So I would DEFINITELY email them because really, applications do fall through the cracks. Your July date is VERY reasonable. If your transcripts are sent by this week, I would mail your application on Monday. I mailed my transcripts close to the time I mailed my application and everything worked out.

I would do what everyone says and start studying. If you have a date in mind, say May or July, you'll prob get it. So start planning it out.

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

[How many letters do you need]

It took them about 4 weeks for mine. They are very cool though I recommend giving them a call if you are curious or have a serious scheduling issue to where you need to start studying, etc. I called just to check on status, must have caught somebody on their lunch break or something because she seemed like somebody higher up in the ranks. At any rate, I got to talking to her and explained my situation that I was a bit under the gun and she pushed it through, got the approval two days later….

They just get very backlogged, but much less bureaucratic than I imagined. Expect the same when application time comes….

MBA,CMA,CPA, CFF?, ABV?

[TheGoodCPA]

Omg im on the same boat, just literally sent out my transcript. However i'm decided to do audit first and i already started studying. Planning to take it at the end of april but sounds like i probably wont be able to sit until may or june? :/

AUD - 83 (5/13/16)
FAR - 77 (7/20/16)
BEC - (8/12/16)
REG - (10/15/16)

[Author]

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