Florida CPA Requirements – CPA License & Exams Guide

Florida CPA requirements apply to anyone wanting to practice in the state as a Certified Public Accountant.

They include passing the Uniform CPA exam, achieving 150 semester hours including mandatory courses, and completing one year of supervised work experience in a relevant field.

What Is CPA Licensure?

If you’re looking to obtain Florida CPA licensure, you’ll need to meet state-specific criteria.

This article tells you what you need to know about the 2024 Florida CPA requirements, including those for taking the exam, achieving licensed status, and keeping your license long-term.

What Is a CPA?

A Certified Public Accountant (CPA) is a licensed professional who has demonstrated a high level of knowledge and skill in various aspects of accounting, finance and taxation.

It’s a well-respected designation that opens up many career opportunities with high earning potential.

Figures from the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) suggest that those with a CPA license earn 10 to 15% more than those without a CPA license.

CPA licenses are granted by individual state boards. In this case, the Florida State Board of Accountancy.

Each US state has its own licensing criteria, but all require you to pass the Uniform CPA Exam.

What Is the CPA Exam?

The Uniform CPA Exam is a comprehensive assessment administered by NASBA in partnership with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA).

It’s designed to ensure that anyone awarded a CPA license has the relevant knowledge to deliver a high standard of accountancy services and a commitment to ethical practice.

There are four individual exams in total, each assessing specific accounting and business knowledge areas.

• Auditing and Attestation (AUD) – This exam focuses on evaluating your understanding of auditing procedures, attestation and the preparation, compilation and review of financial statements.
• Business Environment and Concepts (BEC) – The BEC exam assesses your knowledge of business concepts, economics, financial management, information technology and corporate governance.
• Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR) – This exam centers on financial accounting standards, financial statement preparation and the application of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
• Regulation (REG) – The Regulation exam evaluates your knowledge of federal taxation, business law, and professional responsibilities and ethics.

For help preparing for your exam, see our review of the best CPA prep courses.

Florida CPA License Requirements

To obtain a CPA license in the state of Florida, you must be at least 18 years old and have a Social Security Number (SSN).

You’ll also need to meet the Florida CPA requirements for each stage of the licensing process.

Here’s a look at each one of those in detail.

Florida CPA Exam Requirements

To be eligible to take the CPA exam in Florida, you’ll first need to meet some educational prerequisites.

This includes a high school certificate or above and a minimum of 120 semester hours of college credits.

This equates to 180 quarter hours if the college you attend uses a quarter-based rather than a semester-based system.

Within this is a list of mandatory courses you must achieve credit for.

Accounting courses – 24 semester/36 quarter hours to include:

• Auditing and cost accounting (no specific hours stipulated)
• Financial accounting, based on US standards (three semester/four quarter hours)
• Taxation, based on US standards (three semester/four quarter hours)

Business courses – 24 semester/36 quarter hours to include:

• General business courses (21 semester/32 quarter hours)
• Business law, based on US law (three semester/four quarter hours)

Note that all courses must be taken at an institution approved by the Florida Board of Accountancy.

They must also all be at upper-division level, except for the following courses:

• Introductory Statistics
• Introductory Macroeconomics
• Introductory Microeconomics
• Introduction to Computer Information Systems
• Business Law

You can sit the Uniform CPA exam once you have the required credits in the required courses.

The order in which you take the exams is up to you, but you must pass all four exams within an 18-month rolling window. The passing score for each exam is a minimum of 75%.

You must also meet all the additional Florida CPA requirements and apply for your license within three years. If you don’t, you must re-sit the entire CPA exam.

Florida CPA License Requirements – Additional Credits

On top of the credits required to sit the exam, you’ll need to obtain additional hours before starting your Florida CPA license application.

For semester hours, it’s an additional 30, bringing your total up to 150. This must include 30 semester hours in accounting and 36 semester hours in business.

For quarter hours, it’s an additional 65, totaling 225, of which 45 must be in accounting and 54 in business.

One way to obtain these extra hours is to take more courses during your bachelor’s degree. This is a good option if you’re set on achieving CPA status, as it speeds up the process.

Just be aware that a heavier workload can be stressful and may impact your academic performance.

If you’ve already completed your bachelor’s or don’t want to take on extra courses at this level, you have several options for meeting the 150 credit requirement:

• Master’s degrees – Courses such as Master’s of Accounting (MAcc’s) and Master’s of Business Administration (MBAs) are common choices for achieving the additional credit.
• Online courses – Many accredited colleges and universities offer online courses, giving you the flexibility to earn additional credits alongside work experience.
• College Level Examination Program (CLEP) – The CLEP allows you to earn college credits by taking standardized exams in various subjects.
• Community college – You might consider community college courses that expand your skill set while helping you meet the Florida CPA requirements.

Whichever option you choose, confirm that the Florida Board of Accountancy approves the courses you take and will indeed contribute to your CPA license.

Florida CPA Work Experience Requirements

The Florida CPA, work experience requirements, state that you must gain practical work experience in accounting or related areas.

The specific work experience requirements include:

• Minimum duration – You must complete a minimum of one year (equivalent to 2,000 hours) of work experience. This experience should be gained within the last five years before applying for the CPA license.
• Supervision – The work experience must be performed under the supervision of a licensed CPA. This is to ensure that you receive guidance and mentorship from an experienced professional.
• Scope of experience – The work experience should cover various tasks and responsibilities related to accounting, auditing or other financial services. This practical experience is essential for developing the skills and knowledge necessary to excel as a CPA.
• Verification – You’ll need to have your work experience verified by their supervising CPA. The supervisor will typically provide documentation confirming that you have met the necessary requirements during the work period.

Note: You do not have to have passed your Uniform CPA exam before you take on a professional role; it’s a standard route to work towards the Florida CPA work experience requirements while studying for and taking the exams.

Once you have passed all your exams, achieved the required credit hours, and completed the relevant work experience, you can begin your Florida CPA license application.

To do so, you’ll need to set up an online account with the Florida Board of Accountancy and submit your college transcripts, work experience verification and fingerprints for a criminal background check.

Florida CPA Continuing Education Requirements

The state of Florida CPA requirements stipulate that all CPAs must renew their license every two years.

This includes completing 80 hours of continuing professional education (CPE) for each license renewal, with a minimum of 20 hours per year.

While CPE does not have to be done through a college or university, there are certain subject requirements:

• A minimum of eight hours in accounting and auditing
• A four-hour ethics course approved by the Florida Board of Accountancy
• A maximum of 20 hours in behavioral subjects

Florida CPA continuing education requirements are there to ensure state-licensed CPAs stay current on accounting standards, tax laws and other relevant topics.

Florida CPA License Fees

Along with the Florida CPA requirements, there are a number of associated fees that all aspiring CPAs need to be aware of.

These fees cover various aspects of the licensure process, including application, examination and licensing.

Fees include:

Exam Fees

To sit your CPA exam, you must pay a one-off registration fee of $50.

You must then pay for each exam section when you schedule your official test date. Currently, the cost here is $226.15 per section.

Registration Fees

You’ll also pay a registration fee for each part of the CPA exam. Note that there is a cost-saving if you register for multiple exams at once, but you will only have a six-month window in which to sit them:

• Registration for one exam – $60
• Registration for two exams – $75
• Registration for three exams – $90
• Registration for four exams – $105

Licensing Fees

Once you’ve successfully passed the CPA exam and met the other licensure requirements, you will need to pay a licensing fee to the Florida Board of Accountancy.

This is currently $300 and covers the processing of your application and the issuance of your CPA license.

Renewal Fees

The renewal fee covers the administrative costs associated with maintaining your active license status and is $105 every two years.

Continuing Education Costs

To fulfill the Florida CPA continuing education requirements, you’ll need to invest in additional courses or seminars.

These costs can vary widely based on the specific courses you choose.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts

A CPA license is a significant asset to your accountancy career. It gives you credibility and opens doors to a wide range of opportunities.

To meet the Florida CPA license requirements, you’ll need to secure 150 semester hours of college credit in the relevant subjects, complete supervised work experience and pass all four sections of the Uniform CPA exam.

While the information given in this guide is intended to be accurate, the Florida CPA requirements and associated fees are subject to change.

Remember to consult the Florida Board of Accountancy’s official website for the most up-to-date information.