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. 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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