Georgia

Before applying for a CPA license through NASBA’s Licensing Service, please familiarize yourself with this jurisdiction’s licensure requirements below.

To apply for a CPA license, you will be asked to create a user account upon your first usage of our licensing online application tool. Registering for a user account will allow you to obtain the required documents to submit with your licensure application, apply for the license, maintain your current information and check the status of your license application.

Please allow up to two weeks from your file completion date (when application, fees and all additional required materials have been received) for your application to be processed. Acknowledgment of receipt of application will be sent to you via email, unless otherwise indicated. This notice is sent only as acknowledgment of receipt of application.

For Individual License:

For Firm License:

Education

Educational requirements to apply for a CPA license in Georgia vary depending on the date the applicant initially sat for the CPA Exam.

Requirements for licensure if your initial sitting for the CPA Exam was prior to January 1, 1998:

Requirements for licensure if your initial sitting for the CPA Exam was after January 1, 1998:

The hours credited for each of the first two courses in accounting subjects completed by an applicant to take the CPA examination or an applicant for a license as a CPA are considered as being at the elementary level. These hours will not be counted toward the minimum hours required to take the CPA examination or to apply for license as a CPA. This shall be the case without respect to the title or number under which the course is designated by the educational institution.

Exam

Successful passing of the Uniform CPA Exam or IQEX Exam.

Fees

Experience

Below are experience requirements you must obtain to apply for a CPA license in Georgia.

Public Accounting Experience

Qualifying experience in public accountancy shall mean employment as a staff Accountant by a practicing CPA holding a current license to practice or a firm of such duly licensed accountants certified, registered or licensed to practice public accountancy in this state or by the duly constituted laws of any other sovereign state or country. Public accountancy work for purposes of this section shall mean the performance of any combination of services involving the use of accounting, auditing or attestation skills, one or more types of consulting services, the preparation of tax returns or the furnishing of advice on tax matters. The work must involve the application of appropriate technical and behavioral Standards such as standards contained in the Code of Professional Conduct, Generally Accepted Auditing Standards, Statements on Standards for Attestation Engagements , Statements on Standards for Accounting and Review Services, the Statement on Standards for Tax Services, the Statements on Standards for Management Consulting Services, International Financial Reporting Standards, or other such standards as designated by policy statements of the Board.

Industry Accounting Experience

For qualifying experience in industry or business the applicant must have been employed by an individual or entity in the performance of duties primarily involving the use of financial accounting and auditing skills, which follow Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.

Government Accounting Experience

For qualifying experience in government, the applicant must have been employed by a federal, state or local government agency which is appropriated public funds and whose employees are considered public employees and which is recognized by the Board as having the responsibility and organizational structure for performing auditing and accounting functions.

Teaching Experience

Qualified teaching experience shall consist of teaching in the accounting discipline for academic credit at an accredited four-year college or university. The teaching must include:

Online Applications

Click the following links to apply online:

International Candidates

Education requirements must be met through academic coursework completed at an accredited institution. Professional training is not acceptable toward these requirements. Coursework completed as part of a Chartered Accountant program is considered professional training and is, therefore, not accepted toward the education requirements for the U.S. Uniform CPA License.

Applicants who obtained their education outside the United States must have their educational credentials evaluated by NASBA International Evaluation Services.

Firms

To apply for a firm license in Georgia, a firm must meet the following requirements:

Non-Licensee Owners

Non-CPA owners of a firm must:

Peer Review Requirement

Firms that offer engagement services (audits, reviews or compilations) must enroll in a Georgia State Board-approved peer review program.