[I_AM_CPA]

I am applying for license in MA recently, and I was told that the state board handles the app based on the date that they receive checks to decide whose application went first. Somehow, another person told me that as long as I mail all my app materials before the board meeting date, I will be voted on on that meeting. Which of these statements is true?

Thanks.

[Missy]

Neither. Your application must be received ten business days (2 calendar weeks) before the board meeting and you will be considered at that meeting. If your app is even a day late it waits until the next meeting.

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

[I_AM_CPA]

@mla11692 That is cruel. Did you have your transcripts evaluated by nasba licensing before you sent the app in? They just received my materials and there's gonna be an initial review and quality assurance check (which might take 2-3 weeks?). And it seems that I can only submit my app after their approval, which put me right behind the “10 business days before the August meeting”. So I kind of wanna know how long this evaluation process really is gonna take. Thanks.

[Missy]

Well no matter where they draw the line in the sand someone will consider it cruel. Nasba didn't evaluate when I got licensed. If you met the requirements for licensing when you applied for the exam you don't need to go through that again. If you met the requirements after you applied for the exam you'll just need to hope for the best.

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

[govtec]

I applied for my license in PA and they received my application on 7/6 and so far it has not been reviewed by the board yet. I was told first come first serve and the approximate time to complete the process is about 4 weeks.

BEC - 12/13
FAR - 5/14
AUD - 8/14
REG - 2/15
Passed 6 of 6 CLEP Exam

[I_AM_CPA]

@govtec It took so long? I have a friend who applied in WA, he got licensed in almost just 2 days!

[Missy]

It varies widely from state to state. I think its NY that I read some take as long as 4 months.

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

[I_AM_CPA]

@mla Woo such a long wait..Do you know how long it usually takes in MA? And does the 4 months that you mentioned include the waiting time from the board received the app to they start processing it or does it include just the time after they start processing it?

[Missy]

How long it takes in MA can vary. New licenses are issued only on the dates of board meetings. Applications must be received 10 business days before the meeting. If you got your application in exactly 2 weeks before the next board meeting it would take about 2 weeks to get your license. They have to RECEIVE it 10 business days in advance, so simply having it postmarked by that date gets you nowhere. Here are the meeting dates for 2015 https://www.mass.gov/ocabr/licensee/dpl-boards/pa/calendar-for-board.html

Note there was no meeting in July so if you got your application in after June 4, you might be waiting as long as 11 weeks to get approved at the Aug 20 meeting.

When you do send your app to the board I strongly recommend sending it fedex or ups or something so you have proof of the date it was received. Can't be much worse than thinking you got it in by Aug 6 only to find out they received it on the 7th or 8th.

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

[I_AM_CPA]

@mla Do they give you an email or any update after they receive your app? And USPS does not provide reliable tracking? It seems like that the schedule will be a bit tight for me to hand in my app for the August meeting. It says on the website that I should wait until the approval of my transcripts to send in my app. But I am very sure that they will be approved. Should I take a shot and just send in my app in the week of Aug. 6?

[Missy]

No you'll get nothing to say they received your app. Yes, USPS provides tracking but you have to pay for that, if you just drop it in a mailbox there is no way to track it.

If the website says you should wait, then wait. As I mentioned when I was licensed NASBA wasn't involved in evaluating on the states behalf. If any questions you should call the board. You may end up missing August I can't say for sure, but someone at the MA board of public accountancy would be able to tell you.

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

[I_AM_CPA]

@mla Definitely gonna call the state board to check. The waiting always gets me cranky unfortunately. I guess I should wait too. Just the fact that by missing only a day or two I have to wait another full month is driving me crazy..

[govtec]

Yea, it really depends on which state you're applying. I live in a backward state so they still do the mail thing compared to others who accept online application.

BEC - 12/13
FAR - 5/14
AUD - 8/14
REG - 2/15
Passed 6 of 6 CLEP Exam

[I_AM_CPA]

@govtec Then I guess MA is another backward state. We need to mail everything in as well. Bummer.

[Author]

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