In the quest to become a Certified Public Accountant in Nevada, candidates must navigate through a set of stringent requirements that stand as a testament to the profession’s high standards. Emphasizing the importance of comprehensive knowledge and practical expertise. Like other Nevada candidates (like those posting on Reddit CPA threads), you probably have a lot of questions about the requirements.
It’s true: Nevada mandates 150 credit hours for CPA exam eligibility and sets rigorous work experience criteria, including a unique focus on audit work. This commitment to excellence is reflected in the fact that CPAs generally earn significantly higher salaries compared to non-certified accountants, highlighting the value of the CPA designation in the financial industry.
This article delves into the specifics of Nevada’s CPA exam and licensure requirements, guiding aspiring CPAs through their journey to professional success in the Silver State. Let’s look at each requirement:
To be eligible to sit for the CPA exam, students must first fulfill these qualifications and requirements.
- Minimum age: None
- U.S. Residency NOT Required
- State Residency NOT required
Thankfully, Nevada doesn’t have strict guidelines surrounding age or residency. In fact, many companies are encouraging young accountants to pursue their CPA designation as early as possible. This includes one of the youngest CPAs, Belicia Cespedes, who passed the CPA exam at 17. She explained her process this way:
“First, I thought of each exam as a “practice session.” I went into the testing center each time thinking about how I could learn and be better prepared for my next attempt. I was thinking “experience” rather than “expectation.” That way, when I received a 68 or 69, it was actually encouraging to know I was closer than I would have thought. I knew the specific topics the exam favored, so I knew how I could improve the next time to push myself over that 75 mark — the total reported score to pass each section of the CPA exam.”
Like all other candidates, Belicia had to meet the following education requirements:
Education Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree or higher
- 150-semester units from an accredited university
- Accounting courses — 30 semester hours above introductory level
- Financial Accounting – Intermediate I, II, III or advanced: 9 hours
- Cost Accounting: 3 hours
- Auditing: 3 hours
- Federal Income Tax: 3 hours
- Accounting Electives: 12 hours
- Business law: 3 hours
- General business: 24-semester units
- Please see Nevada Education Requirements for CPA’s for more details
NV CPA License Requirements
Education
- Same as above
Work Experience
- 2 years public accounting, including 1,000 hours in the attest function (700 of the 1,000 must be in audit)
- IRS and Internal Audit experience may qualify
Ethics Exam
- Passing of the AICPA ethics exam
- Cost of the exam is $245 or $189 for AICPA members
Nevada CPA Exam Fees
The cost to take all four sections of the CPA exam in Nevada is $1,379.20 ($344.80 per section) plus the initial $90 education evaluation application fee. The re-examination registration fee varies depending on the number of sections you are signing up for. A state application fee of $240 is also required.
| Auditing and Attestation (AUD) | $344.80 |
| Business Environment and Concepts (BEC) | $344.80 |
| Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR) | $344.80 |
| Regulation (REG) | $344.80 |
| Education Evaluation Fee | $90 |
**Important Note: You should not apply and pay for exam sections that will not be taken within six months because your Notice to Schedule (NTS) in Nevada expires 6 months after issuance.
Additional CPA Requirements
- Pass all 4 sections of the CPA exam with a score of 75% or higher
- Complete verified accounting work experience
- Pass AICPA Ethics Exam
- Complete a background check and electronic fingerprinting
- Fill out and submit all required CPA license application paperwork
- Pay the CPA license application fee
NV Exam Information and Resources
Nevada CPA License RequirementsNevada CPA Exam Application Forms
For more details, please contact:
Nevada State Board of Accountancy
1325 Airmotive Way, Suite 220
Reno, NV 89502
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 775-786-0231
Fax: 775-786-0234
What’s Next?
Now that you have started the CPA exam application process, your next step is to find the right CPA review course that best fits your budget, learning style, and schedule.
Nevada CPA Licensure FAQs
You must complete 150 credit hours, including specific accounting and business courses, and hold a bachelor’s degree or higher.
Nevada requires 2 years of public accounting experience, including at least 700 hours of audit work.
Yes. The cost of the exam is $245 or $189 for AICPA members
Pass all exam sections, complete the required work experience, pass the ethics exam, complete the background check and fingerprinting, submit all licensure paperwork, and pay the application fee
The AICPA ethics exam is considered challenging but manageable. It focuses on understanding the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct and applying ethical principles. With thorough study and preparation, most candidates can successfully pass the exam.
Bryce Welker is a regular contributor to Forbes, Inc.com, YEC and Business Insider. After graduating from San Diego State University he went on to earn his Certified Public Accountant license and created CrushTheCPAexam.com to share his knowledge and experience to help other accountants become CPAs too. Bryce was named one of Accounting Today’s “Accountants To Watch” among other accolades. As Seen On Forbes
