What are the CPA USA Requirements for International Students?

NorthStar Academy
2 min readSep 11, 2023

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The US CPA exam is a comprehensive, demanding, and challenging test for many individuals. This certification exam has four parts and requires candidates to demonstrate their understanding of the accounting and auditing principles that are the basis for the profession.

The US CPA Exam is specifically designed to test your knowledge in the following subject areas (as well as the four exam parts):

  • Auditing and Attestation (AUD),
  • Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR),
  • Regulation (REG),
  • Business Environment and Concepts (BEC)

Candidates must pass all parts to be certified as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in the USA. A candidate can take each section in any order they choose, but they must pass each section before taking any other section. However, before giving the test and acquiring the US CPA certificate, they need to fulfill the prerequisites or requirements set by the official administering body, the AICPA.

The CPA USA Requirements for International Students are not that different from the requirements for US Citizens. The only major difference is that international students need to show proficiency in English.

The following are some general CPA USA requirements for international students:

- A minimum TOEFL score of 550 or an IELTS score of 6.5

- A minimum GPA of 2.5

- Proof of sufficient financial resources to support oneself during school and to return home after graduation

Some other CPA USA requirements that international students, as well as US students, must meet include being eighteen years of age or older, being a graduate from an accredited university with a degree in accounting or business, having earned 120 or 150 semester hours of college credit, as well as passing the US CPA Exam.

Moreover, the candidate needs to qualify for the examination (Exam) within 18 months of its date of administration. To learn about the CPA USA Requirements for International Students in detail, click here!

Adding to this, if an international student in the US meets the educational qualifications outlined by one of the 55 US State Boards of Accountancy, applies to that state board to take the exam, and succeeds on the four-part CPA exam, then they can become a licensed US CPA and pursue a satisfying, successful career. Just enroll in the best US CPA coaching institute and start your prep with the all-inclusive and well-organized CPA USA certification under the guidance of top mentors in the field.

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