Earning a CPA License in Pennsylvania

An accounting manager at NRG Energy, Inc., Andrew Muc has worked in accounting roles for more than two decades. To perform his duties, Andrew Muc earned a certified public accountant (CPA) license in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

In Pennsylvania, professionals must sit for and pass a CPA examination before they can earn their CPA license. This examination consists of four parts, all of which must be passed within 18 months. Each section focuses on one of four topics: financial accounting and reporting, auditing and attestation, business environment and concepts, and regulation.

Before they can sit for the CPA exam, professionals must meet certain educational requirements. This includes obtaining a minimum of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college. In addition, at least 24 semester credits must have been earned by completing courses in accounting subjects, such as microeconomics and macroeconomics, business law, and tax subjects.

Once professionals pass the exam, they must meet additional requirements if they want to earn a CPA license in Pennsylvania. Professionals must complete a total of 150 credit hours, either as part of an undergraduate or graduate-level program, or separately from a degree program.

Beyond that, professionals need at least one year, or 1,600 hours, of related work experience. This can be obtained through employment in public practice, government, industry, or academia, but must involve providing advice or services related to areas such as accounting and finance.