For those completing the MAcc program at Rider University with the goal of becoming a licensed CPA, here are some of the current requirements that students need to ensure are met through proper course planning.

New Jersey Requirements for Licensure as a CPA (through July 1, 2000)

Education:
Current requirements (until July 1, 2000) - a baccalaureate degree or its equivalent from an accredited college or university, based upon a curriculum which includes:

1. A minimum of 60 semester hours selected from courses in English, history, foreign languages, mathematics, general psychology, philosophy, biological sciences, economics, sociology, religion, government, political science, geography, fine arts and music.
2. A minimum of 60 semester hours in professional courses must include: 
   1. At least 24 semester hours in accounting
   2. At least six semester hours in business law
   3. At least six semester hours in finance
   4. At least six semester hours in economics (additional credits in economics, over and above the required six, may be applied to the liberal arts requirement)
   5. At least 18 semester hours in related business subjects.
3. A candidate cannot sit for the Uniform CPA Examination unless he or she has previously obtained a baccalaureate degree as of the date of the exam.

Future Requirements:
As of July 1, 2000, applicants for a New Jersey CPA license will be subject to new educational requirements. Applicants will be required to have at least 150 credit hours of education, including a baccalaureate or higher degree from an institution of higher education acceptable to the Board. Rules to implement the 150-hour requirement have been adopted by the Board as well as curriculum and accreditation requirements effective July 1, 2000. The new rules delineate how they apply both to applicants who will receive their degree before July 1, 2000, and to those applicants who will receive their degree after that date. Candidates must meet all educational requirements in order to qualify to sit for the Uniform CPA Examination.

The Pennsylvania State Board of Accountancy is in the process of changing rules and regulations regarding the transition to computer-based testing.

Applicants may qualify under one of the three following requirements:

1. A Baccalaureate degree from a college or university approved at the time of graduation by the Department of Education, to include 24 semester hours in accounting, and auditing, business law, finance, or tax subjects.
   NOTE: The 24 semester hours must include a minimum of 3 semester hours in accounting AND 3 semester hours in either auditing, business law, finance, or tax subject. OR
2. A Master degree or other post-graduate degree, from a college or university approved at the time of graduation by the Department of Education, to include 24 semester hours in accounting, and auditing, business law, finance, or tax subjects.
   NOTE: The 24 semester hours must include a minimum of 3 semester hours in accounting AND 3 semester hours in either auditing, business law, finance, or tax subject. OR
3. A Baccalaureate or higher degree, from a college or university approved at the time of graduation by the Department of Education, and have completed a total of 150 semester credits of post-secondary education to include 24 semester hours in accounting and auditing, business law, finance, or tax subjects. An additional twelve semester credits in accounting, auditing, and tax subjects are required.

NOTE: The 24 semester hours must include a minimum of 3 semester hours in accounting AND 3 semester hoursin either auditing, business law, finance, or tax subject. (See state board web site information.)
All education must be met at the time of application. This will be strictly enforced.

Applicants with educational credentials earned outside the United States must be evaluated by one of the following professional credentials evaluation organizations to show U.S. equivalency:

For more information you may view the website for the State Board of Accountancy at www.dos.state.pa.us/account

First time candidates must be:

1. A resident of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; or
2. Employed full-time in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania under the supervision of a licensed CPA; or
3. Have graduated from a college or university in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

Applicants must also:

1. Have attained the age of eighteen years
2. Be of good moral character

First time candidates
All applicants are required to pay both an application fee and an examination fee. An application fee of $75 is required regardless of the number of sections for which the application is made. This fee is not refundable.
AND EXAMINATION SECTIONS   EXAMINATION FEE
Auditing and Attestation    (AUD) $ 134.50
Business Environment and Concepts (BEC) $ 100.50
Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR) $ 126.00
Regulation      (REG) $ 109.00
Applicants will be able to apply for one or more section(s) of the examination at a time.

All fees must be paid at the time of application and must be in U.S. dollars. Certified checks or money orders must be drawn on a US bank and made payable to CPA Examination Services.

Re-exam candidates
All candidates are required to pay both an application fee and an examination fee. Payment can be made by credit card (Visa or MasterCard only). Candidates who choose to pay by certified check or money order must be invoiced by CPA Examination Services.

An application fee is required regardless of the number of sections scheduled. This fee is not refundable.

EXAMINATION SECTIONS   APPLICATION FEE
4 Sections     $ 75.00
3 Sections     $ 75.00
2 Sections     $ 75.00
1 Section       $ 75.00

EXAMINATION SECTIONS   EXAMINATION FEE
Auditing and Attestation    (AUD) $ 134.50
Business Environment and Concepts (BEC) $ 100.50
Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR) $ 126.00
Regulation      (REG) $ 109.00
Candidates will be able to apply for one or more section(s) of the examination at a time.
All fees must be paid at the time of application and must be in U.S. dollars. Certified checks or money orders must be drawn on a U.S. bank and made payable to CPA Examination Services.

Email: cpaes-pa@nasba.org
Pennsylvania Coordinator
CPA Examination Services
P.O. Box 198469
Nashville, Tennessee 37219-8469

National Association of State Boards of Accountancy