[joyflying]

I passed all the exams now and just got into an IT masters program. I will not graduate until probably 1.5 to 2 years from now. I have a masters in accounting already as well. Right now i am hesitating whether to apply for the license. If I do, I think I even have to take CPE before graduation (correct me if I am wrong). Does it make a difference between passing the exam and getting the license on the resume? Should I get the license now or should I do it later? Any advice? Thanks a lot.

FAR - 93 (08/24/2014 - First down!)
AUD - 91 (11/21/2014 - Second down!!)
BEC - 90 (02/26/2015 - Third down!!!)
REG - 94 (05/29/2015 - Touch down!!!!!)

Here comes my touch down!
Certified in MA (08/2015)

[taxgeek83]

Keep an eye on your state requirements as far as how long your scores are good for. Every state is different – I think scores in my state are good for about 3 years, while I heard somewhere that scores in Washington are good indefinitely.

As far as the resume goes, it always looks better to have “,CPA” in your header, especially if the job requires or strongly prefers you to be licensed. You will have to meet your state's CPE requirements, but if you're actively looking for a job while in school, I'd say it's worth it. 🙂

[Missy]

If you're not going to be job searching while you're in school may as well wait for the license.

So the way the CPE goes, (because I remember you are also MA) if you got your license now you would do prorated CPE before your next renewal. If you were born in an odd year, your license would be up for renewal on 6/30/17 and if you were born in an even year your license would be up for renewal on 6/30/16.

I do not believe there is any time limit to get your license after passing the exams, but if there is it would be much more than 2 years.

Licensed Massachusetts Non Reporting CPA since 2012
Finance/Admin/HR Manager

[Anonymous]

I would always contact your state board for these types of questions but a lot of states do have a 3 year requirement for licensing before a candidate would have to re-test. Also, MA may allow for your courses from your MACC program to count as CPE for your biennial license depending on the time frame of your courses. It would definitely be worth a quick phone call / email to find out.

https://www.mass.gov/ocabr/licensee/dpl-boards/pa/regulations/rules-and-regs/252-cmr-200.html

[joyflying]

@taxgeek83 Ah, this is the first time I heard that the score can expire! Woo. Thanks for letting me know!!

@mla11692 Yes, I am from MA. So when you need to renew your license depends on which year you were born? That sounds kind of unfair haha. So if I were born in 1990 I have to renew by 6/30/2016? And if I were born in 1991 I have to renew by 6/30/2017? Is it like this? I thought it depends on when you apply your license..And MA does not have an expiration date for the score? And also, I took the exam under NH jurisdiction but am going to apply the license under MA jurisdiction. So should I check with NH or MA board to see whether the score will expire? Thanks.

@ARCPA2B I don't think I can use my MACC course anymore as I am in the IT program right now. And you are saying that after three years passing the exam, if I do not apply for the license, I will probably have to sit for the exam again?

FAR - 93 (08/24/2014 - First down!)
AUD - 91 (11/21/2014 - Second down!!)
BEC - 90 (02/26/2015 - Third down!!!)
REG - 94 (05/29/2015 - Touch down!!!!!)

Here comes my touch down!
Certified in MA (08/2015)

[Missy]

Born in 1990 *thud*.II was 21 years old and married. Good times.

Yes the renewal year is odd/even.So if you got your license in say July of this year you probably need somewhere around 40 cpe credits to renew by 6/30/16 then you'd need 80 between 7/1/16 and 6/30/18. I've already renewed once and renewing for my 2nd time this month so I am 100% sure of the renewal process for MA.

Call the board to see if your CPA credits expire, you only have 3 years to meet the education requirement after passing but I'm not sure if that translates to having 3 years to get licensed after final passing exam.

Licensed Massachusetts Non Reporting CPA since 2012
Finance/Admin/HR Manager

[joyflying]

@mla11692 Ah that's a bummer. I was in the even year!!! And I wish I am still 21 :'( I remember you said that you bought a course for CPE? It's like 200 bucks? Does it require any exams?

FAR - 93 (08/24/2014 - First down!)
AUD - 91 (11/21/2014 - Second down!!)
BEC - 90 (02/26/2015 - Third down!!!)
REG - 94 (05/29/2015 - Touch down!!!!!)

Here comes my touch down!
Certified in MA (08/2015)

[Missy]

This is the site I am using https://www.thecpediscountstore.com/?gclid=Cj0KEQjw-46sBRD7x6P0stibwbsBEiQAoMi4ZsSvYiqMVgeZwfnegfWYjzkOzjrk32WOWO2lUgE8FgYaAiPP8P8HAQ

Each course comes with a pdf file and then yes there is an online exam to get the credits. I think you get 99 attempts at each exam though so there”s very little pressure.

Licensed Massachusetts Non Reporting CPA since 2012
Finance/Admin/HR Manager

[joyflying]

@mla11692 Thank you for your information! That is great help!! :')

FAR - 93 (08/24/2014 - First down!)
AUD - 91 (11/21/2014 - Second down!!)
BEC - 90 (02/26/2015 - Third down!!!)
REG - 94 (05/29/2015 - Touch down!!!!!)

Here comes my touch down!
Certified in MA (08/2015)

[joyflying]

@mla11692 One more follow-up question – does the photo you sent in for application appears on the license you get? Or is it just for their information?

FAR - 93 (08/24/2014 - First down!)
AUD - 91 (11/21/2014 - Second down!!)
BEC - 90 (02/26/2015 - Third down!!!)
REG - 94 (05/29/2015 - Touch down!!!!!)

Here comes my touch down!
Certified in MA (08/2015)

[Missy]

No it's not on your license. Your license is just a wallet sized card with your name and license number on it.

Licensed Massachusetts Non Reporting CPA since 2012
Finance/Admin/HR Manager

[joyflying]

@mla11692 Ah thanks, then I don't need to update my old photos I guess.

FAR - 93 (08/24/2014 - First down!)
AUD - 91 (11/21/2014 - Second down!!)
BEC - 90 (02/26/2015 - Third down!!!)
REG - 94 (05/29/2015 - Touch down!!!!!)

Here comes my touch down!
Certified in MA (08/2015)

[Author]

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