The CPA exam is often considered one of the most difficult exams. Not just the examination, but even the application process for the CPA exam is complicated. Candidates often get confused about how to start and proceed with the application. It becomes even more complicated if you are not a US citizen. But that doesn’t mean you will be restricted to apply. You can earn the certification and grow in your career as a CPA. All you need is to prepare and study well, for which you can enroll in Andrew Katz Tutoring- one of the best CPA exam tutors that offer online private and group sessions.
Let’s get back to the topic. How to apply for the CPA examination being an international student? The application procedure is mostly the same for both US and foreign candidates. Still, we have brought this article to make the process clear, so you can get through the application process hassle-free.
Who Can Take the CPA Exam?
As previously mentioned, you can become a US Certified Public Accountant (CPA) even if you are not a US citizen. However, you need to fulfill the eligibility requirements of the Board of Accountancy in one of the 54 US jurisdictions. These include the District of Columbia, the 50 states, the US Virgin Islands, Guam, and Puerto Rico. The 55th jurisdiction, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, is not yet prepared to accept CPA applicants, so keep an eye on the updates if you wish to take the test there.
The CPA Exam established prometric test facilities in Bahrain, Kuwait, Japan, Lebanon, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Brazil in 2011. To be eligible to take the test at one of these locations, you must first apply to a state board participating in the International CPA Examination Administration Program. Because the exam is only available in English, you must be a fluent English speaker; thus, it is recommended to work on your fluency before taking the test anyhow.
The Application Process for the CPA Exam
The significant difference in international students’ application process is the assessment of educational credentials. If you have completed your education outside the United States, your credits have to be evaluated to ensure you meet the educational standards as established by the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA).
You can check NASBA evaluation services here. This step needs to be done before starting the application process, as it may take up to 6 or 8 weeks to get your overseas education authorized/ approved.
The rest of the steps of application is the same for both the US and international CPA applicants. You must first decide which U.S. jurisdiction you want to apply to, then contact the Board of Accountancy in that jurisdiction to obtain the necessary application resources, and then submit the completed applications along with fees.
Once your education gets deemed qualified, you will receive Notice to Schedule, which will further let you register for your CPA exam at a Prometric center. For more information on the application process, you can refer to the guide available on the Andrew Katz Tutoring site.
You must be feeling relieved, knowing how to apply for the CPA exam as an international applicant. It’s time to get started with your preparations by joining one of the best CPA exam tutors- Andrew Katz. No matter whether you are in the US or outside, you can get online sessions either in private or group as per your choice. This will help you with personalized gold standard assistance to pass the CPA exam on the first attempt.