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CPA Eligibility
What is
CPA?
We will help you prepare for every stage, ensuring that you meet all the necessary criteria
Who Governs the CPA License?
- The CPA license is issued by the U.S. State Boards of Accountancy.
- The CPA exam is administered by the AICPA (American Institute of Certified Public Accountants) in collaboration with NASBA
- Each state has its own rules, but most follow a common baseline structure.
Want to become a CPA? Let’s first check your eligibility here
CPA Exam Eligibility - Educational Requirements
To pursue the US CPA exam, candidates must meet specific educational requirements that vary slightly by state.
These requirements are set by the state boards of accountancy and ensure that you have the necessary academic
foundation to succeed in the rigorous CPA exam.
Bachelor’s degree in accounting, commerce, or
business
A total of 120 credit hours of education (for exam
eligibility)
In the U.S., 1 year = 30 credit hours, so 120 credits ≈ 4 years of study
CPA License Eligibility - After Passing the Exam
After passing all four CPA exams, you’ll need to fulfill certain additional requirements to obtain your CPA license.
Here’s a breakdown of what’s required
150 credit hours of education:
- To qualify for the CPA license, you need 150 credit hours of education.
- This typically includes your bachelor’s degree plus additional coursework or post-graduate credits.
- Miles offers a 30-credit bridge program to help Indian students meet this requirement and ensure eligibility for licensure.
1–2 years of relevant work
experience:
- You must complete 1 to 2 years of relevant work experience to obtain your CPA license.
- This work experience must be under the supervision of a licensed CPA.
- Common fields for this experience include public accounting, auditing, or taxation.
Ethics exam (in some states)
- Some states require you to pass an ethics exam as part of the licensure process.
- The ethics exam covers professional conduct and ethical standards in the accounting profession.
- This requirement ensures that CPAs maintain high standards of integrity and professionalism in their practice.
CPA Eligibility for Indian Students
Most Indian degrees offer 90–120 credits, so candidates often fall short. Here's how Indian
graduates meet the eligibility criteria
Qualification
Credit Hours
be a challenge.
requirements.
CPA Exam Eligibility - Summary Checklist
Most Indian degrees offer 90–120 credits, so candidates often fall short. Here's how Indian
graduates meet the eligibility criteria
Bachelor’s
degree
120 credit
hours
International transcript
evaluation
(done via NASBA/Miles support)
Application to the right U.S. state board
Additional credits
if needed
(Miles provides support)
Who Is Eligible for CPA in India?
To pursue the CPA exam in India, you need to meet specific educational and professional
qualifications, with some flexibility depending on your background.
📖 Even if you’re unsure about your eligibility, Miles can evaluate your profile and chart the best path.
Why choose Miles
80%+ CPAs in India are Miles Alumni. 70,000+ Global Alumni. Stadiums in 9 cities across India
Learn from the World's
Favourite CPA Instructor
Varun Jain, CPA, CMA
Harvard B - School Alumnus
With 100M+ YouTube views, Varun has empowered 70K+ students to become the flag-bearers of Indian accounting talent globally.
100+ Global Educators
& Industry Experts
Jason Cherubini
Academic Entrepreneur
Jamar Dennard
Attorney
Gary Cokins
Author Entrepreneur
Dr. Mfon Akpan
Accountant
Dr. Floran Woods
Accountant
Dr. Mick Carroll
Accountant
Dr. Roger Mayer
Accountant
Sherrika Sanders
Career Coach
The Miles Resources –
Your ultimate CPA Tool Kit!
The Ultimate Platform access that
will be with you from start to end
Video Lectures
MCQs
Simulations
Mock Exams
Sunday Live Classes
One-on-one Mentoring
Books
End to End License Support
The Books: Your CPA
Bible by McGraw Hill
AUD | Auditing and Attestation
FAR | Financial Accounting & Reporting
REG | Regulation
BAR | Business Analysis & Reporting
End-to-End License
Support
Free Masterclass
Subscription after CPA
Free CPEs on Miles Masterclass by global faculty for 3 years after license (worth $1,200)
Are you Ready to become a CPA?
Whether you’re exploring your options or ready to start, take the next step with confidence.
Your journey to CPA
begins here!
FAQs
1. What are the CPA eligibility requirements?
To be eligible for the CPA exam, candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree in accounting or a related field, complete the required credit hours (typically 120–150), and meet specific state board requirements. Miles offers personalized assessments to help you determine your eligibility and ensure you're on the right track.
2. What additional requirements do Indian students need for the CPA exam?
Indian students may need additional credits to meet the eligibility requirements. Bridge courses are available to help meet these additional credits.
3. What is the process for checking CPA eligibility?
You can check your eligibility by reviewing the specific requirements for your state board and ensuring your educational background meets the necessary credit hours and qualifications.
4. When should one start preparing for the CPA exams?
The time to fulfill CPA eligibility varies based on your education and state board requirements. It typically takes a few months to complete the necessary credits if you’re starting from a relevant degree.
5. What should I do if I don’t meet the CPA eligibility criteria?
If you don’t meet the eligibility criteria, you can complete additional coursework or bridge programs to fulfill the requirements and become eligible for the exam.