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Hampshire CPA Requirements //

New Hampshire, according to Ibis world, has a GDP worth $84 billion. It also boasts the fifth highest growth rate of any state in the country. New Hampshire, also known as The Granite State has a diverse economic base that goes beyond stone exports. Real estate, manufacturing and professional services are the top three industries in New Hampshire.

According to Bureau of Labor Statistics accountants in New Hampshire make an average salary of $81,310 per year, making this a desirable location for professionals.

Certified Public Accountants in the state must complete the Uniform Exam CPA and meet certain education and experience requirements. This guide will help you understand the requirements for the CPA examination and how to obtain a license in New Hampshire.

New Hampshire CPA Education Requirements

To sit for the exam, a candidate needs 120 credits. But to receive licensure in New Hampshire, aspiring CPAs need a bachelor’s degree and 150 credits of classes. For the exam, candidates need 120 credits. However, for licensure in New Hampshire, they must have a bachelor’s and 150 credits. They also need to take various accounting and business courses.

The majority of bachelor’s programs consist of 120 credits. Candidates can obtain additional credits by joining a graduate certificate, master’s, or bachelor’s-to-master’s program.

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Acceptance of courses, credits, and concentrations

CPA New Hampshire candidates must satisfy education requirements before taking the exam. These requirements are listed below:

  • Bachelor’s degree with 120 credits from an accredited university
  • Include 30 credits when accounting

    • The topics must include financial accounting and managerial accounting as well as auditing and taxation.
  • Business degree with 24 credits

    • These courses are not accounting courses

CPA candidates may also select programs like finance or taxation in order to fulfill the accounting and business requirements. CPAs must complete 30 credits in addition to the CPA exam.

The candidate’s CPA education requirements must be met by courses taken at an accredited institution. Accredited institutions include two-year colleges, community colleges and online programs. The education requirements do not include credits for professional training or chartered accounting programs.

Popular Online Programs

Contact the universities listed below to learn more about start dates, credit transfers, financial aid and other information.


New Hampshire Experience Requirements

New Hampshire CPA requirements state that experience is not required to sit for the CPA examination, but you must have completed one year of professional employment to be eligible. New Hampshire counts public accounting, government positions, and relevant full-time, part-time, or seasonal employment as work experience.

A CPA or equivalent, as determined by the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy(NASBA), is required to verify a candidate’s work experience. Part-time professionals and full-time employees are required to have a minimum of 2,080 annual hours, including at least 1,500 accounting or audit hours.

If a candidate is applying under the requirement of one year, their past five years’ work experience may qualify. Candidates applying under the requirement of two years work experience can use the experience of the past six years.

  • CPA candidates must possess
  • Work experience of at least one year

    • Public accounting, government or industry roles
    • Accounting or auditing at least 1,500 hours per year
    • Verified by CPA


CPA Exam Requirements

All CPA candidates must pass the Unified CPA Exam. Examinees sit the same test nationwide, but state-specific requirements vary. These sections focus on the steps to becoming a CPA New Hampshire.

Exam Eligibility

CPA applicants must complete 120 credits at the time they apply. The CPA exam does not require any ethics or work experience exams.

New Hampshire CPA requirements don’t cover residency, citizenship or age. The New Hampshire Board of Accountancy does require that each candidate have a valid Social Security Number.

New Hampshire offers reciprocity to international accounting professionals who hold a CPA-equivalent license. Candidates for reciprocity can apply for CPA licensure if they meet state requirements regarding education and experience. Individuals seeking to obtain reciprocity are required to verify their work experience abroad through NASBA.

Exam Schedule and Application

NASBA’s online portal allows prospective CPA examinees to apply for the test. You can submit your transcripts either before or after you apply for the Uniform CPA Exam. If the transcripts were received before the CPA application, they will be kept for a year. If you take more than a year to submit your transcripts, you will have to resubmit them. NASBA must receive official transcripts from the institution via mail or electronic transmission.

CPA candidates are required to pass all four sections within an 18-month rolling period, starting from the date that they passed the first part. The first time applicants will be asked to pay $245 for the first-time exam fee, and $238.15 for the registration fee.

Re-exam candidates are those who have paid the initial registration fee. The exam fee for a re-exam candidate remains the same. Examinees may apply to take multiple exams, but are advised to apply only for those that they can complete within six months.

The NTS will be sent to the applicants who meet the requirements. The NTS gives them six months to schedule an exam date and time.


After passing the Exam

CPA examinees that pass the exam, and who meet the requirements for education and experience can apply for licensing. Applicants may submit an online application through NASBA’s online portal. A $150 fee is required. NASBA can take up to two weeks to process an application.

The New Hampshire Board of Accountancy will verify your license for a fee of 10$.


Maintaining your Licensure

CPAs must renew their licenses in New Hampshire within two years from the date of initial licensure. Licensees may submit their renewal applications online. They will receive an email reminding them 60 days and 15 days prior to the due date.

CPAs who are currently in practice must complete at least 40 hours of CPE courses per year. They also need to take four hours of ethics training every three years. New Hampshire Board of Accountancy offers a tracking form for CPEs .

CPAs can own a part of a CPA in New Hampshire. CPAs must hold a majority of the equity and voting interests in a CPA firm. Minority shares in New Hampshire CPAs can be held by non-CPAs.

CPAs who are licensed in other states but wish to become CPAs in New Hampshire, must meet the same requirements for education and experience as New Hampshire applicants. Applicants may apply via the NASBA website and pay a reciprocal application fee of $150.


New Hampshire CPAs: Questions and Answers

What are the requirements to become a CPA?

New Hampshire requires that individuals seeking CPA licensing have passed the Uniform CPA Exam and completed 150 credits.

Who is eligible to take the CPA exam in New Hampshire?

In New Hampshire, a CPA candidate must hold a bachelor’s with at least 120 credit hours. They must have 30 credits in accounting and 24 credits in business coursework.

How long does it usually take to become a CPA in New Hampshire?

To earn licensure, candidates must meet exam, education and experience requirements. It takes approximately four years for a New Hampshire CPA to complete a bachelor’s, one to two years to obtain the necessary credits and one year to gain professional experience.

Is it difficult to get a CPA’s license in New Hampshire?

New Hampshire CPA requirements are similar to those of most states. New Hampshire’s CPA requirements are no harder than those in other states.

What is the minimum experience required to obtain a CPA in NH?

CPA licensees must have at least one year’s experience. Part-time and full-time work experience are acceptable, but the annual hours must be at least 1,500.

The article New Hampshire CPA requirements first appeared on Accounting.com.

Emily Kelso
Author: Emily Kelso

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