[martie123]

Hello – new here and to CPA studying. I am prepping for FAR, my first exam. I need to register for the exam but don’t know what state to register to take the exam in. I don’t need the designation for my job, it’s something i am doing for optionality in the long term. I live in NY and work in NJ. My boss is not a licensed CPA and I don’t work in public accounting. So if i applied in NJ or NY, I wouldn’t be able to fulfil the experience requirements. I am thinking about applying through Alabama. Are there any other states I should consider? Ideally would like a state which doesn’t have a “supervisor must be a CPA” requirement, has no ethics exam and low exam fees. Any suggestions? thanks all!

[monikernc]

Be careful. If you obtain your initial license in a state other than NY, you will need 4 years of experience as a licensed CPA before NY will license you. I am not sure about NJ. Think long term before you get licensed. You can take the exams as any state's candidate and most states will accept a Transfer of Grades when you are ready to be licensed. However, some state's expire the scores after so many years, others never expire them. It looks like NJ requires your experience to be under the supervision of a CPA.
If you work in NJ, you should probably apply with them to take the exams and then for a license.
You may also have the option in NJ to have another state's license recognized and a NJ license issued to you through reciprocity and substantial equivalency. I tried to read through but the NJ website is scant on details. You will have to contact them directly.

Other states that may be of help to you are Montana and Kentucky. Neither had a residency requirement as of Jan 2020, you need to verify if that has changed, and either will accept experience verification from a licensed CPA who has not been your supervisor but is familiar with your work – again, this is as of Jan 2020, you will need to verify. Both states are listed on NASBA's substantial equivalency page.

Don't assume anything. Pick a state and confirm what you can from that state's board.

Good luck.

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