Key Requirements at a Glance
Education Hours
150
Accounting Coursework
24 accounting + 24 business
Work Experience
1 year (2,000 hrs in 5 years)
Ethics Exam
AICPA Ethics Exam
Virginia-Specific Notes
Experience must be completed within 5 years of application. Large CPA population in Northern Virginia/D.C. area.
Official State Board
The Virginia State Board of Accountancy is the authoritative source for licensure requirements, application forms, and status updates.
Visit Virginia State Board →Opens boa.virginia.gov in a new window.
Becoming a CPA in Virginia: The Three E's
Every U.S. jurisdiction, including Virginia, requires candidates to satisfy three core requirements — Education, Examination, and Experience — plus an ethics component in most states.
Education
Virginia requires 150 of education, including 24 accounting + 24 business. Many candidates complete this with a bachelor's degree plus additional accounting coursework or a master's program.
Examination
All candidates must pass the Uniform CPA Examination: three Core sections (FAR, REG, AUD) plus one Discipline (BAR, ISC, or TCP). The exam is identical in all 55 U.S. jurisdictions. PassTheCPANow currently covers the three Core sections (FAR, REG, AUD); BAR/ISC/TCP discipline coverage is in development. Prepare with PassTheCPANow for $79 →
Experience
Virginia requires 1 year (2,000 hrs in 5 years) of qualifying work experience. Most jurisdictions accept experience in public accounting, industry, government, or academia.
Ethics
Ethics requirement: AICPA Ethics Exam. Most states use the AICPA Professional Ethics course, but several (New York, Texas, California, Washington, Louisiana) require state-specific ethics education.
Now That You Know the Requirements...
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