aska CPA Requirements //

Nebraska is the “Cornhusker State” and home to many corporations and industries. According to IBISworld, the state’s top industries are manufacturing , finance and agriculture .

CPAs can find work in Nebraska because of its growing economy. CPAs are in demand across all sectors and industries, unlike other careers. CPAs are needed by many of Nebraska’s largest companies, such as Walmart and Berkshire Hathaway.

To become a CPA, you must take several steps. To obtain a CPA’s license, potential CPAs must meet certain education, experience and residency requirements. Nebraska is a state with two levels of certification. This page is a guide to the CPA licensing process in Nebraska.

Nebraska CPA Education Requirements

Nebraska has specific requirements for CPA candidates before they can take the Uniform CPA Exam. Each state has different education requirements. According to the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy, Nebraska requires CPA candidates complete a Bachelor’s Degree and 150 semester hours of coursework.

A bachelor’s program typically has 120 semester hours. Candidates have multiple options for fulfilling the remaining course requirements, including enrolling in a graduate certificate program, master’s program, or accelerated bachelor’s-to-master’s program.

Concentrations, credits, and course acceptance

CPA candidates are required to have a bachelor’s, 150 semester credit hours, and complete specific coursework before they can apply for the Nebraska CPA examination. All coursework must be completed by the application deadline.

• Bachelor’s degree
• Education: 150 semester hours, including
  • Accounting courses such as taxation, auditing and accounting theory require 30 semester hours.
  • Business subjects like macroeconomics, law of business, and finance are included in the 30 semester-hour requirement.

Students can select a bachelor’s program in Financial Accounting, Forensic Accounting or a Master’s in Accounting in order to reduce the number of courses required after graduation.

Students may only apply courses taken at two-year colleges to their CPA requirements if the four-year college accepts them and uses them towards the student’s degree. Nebraska Board of Public Accountancy can accept CPA review course credits, but not commercial review courses.

Nebraska Experience Requirements

Nebraska is a state with two levels. To become a CPA, you must complete two steps. CPAs are given a certificate if they pass the exam. This is the first stage in obtaining licensure.

Holders of a certificate can show they have passed the exam, but are not allowed to practice public accounting in the state. To become a CPA, individuals must have a license to practice. Only those candidates who have completed the Nebraska CPA certificate requirements and the experience requirements for the state can apply for licensure. Professionals may choose from three different categories to describe their experience.

• Experience in public accounting of at least 4,000 hours over a period of two years
• Experience of at least 4,000 hours in the last two years with the Nebraska Department of Revenue (or Nebraska Auditor of Public Accounts)
• At least 6,000 hours in business, government or academics experience over a period of three years

A CPA in good standing must supervise and sign the document attesting their work. A candidate can work in more than one field, but this requires three years’ experience. CPA candidates can only provide their work history for the past 10 years.

CPA Exam Requirements

The Uniform CPA Examination is one of the steps in becoming a CPA. The Uniform CPA Exam is the same across the country, but the requirements for taking the exam and obtaining licensure differ by state. These sections are devoted to Nebraska CPA certification and licensing requirements.

Exam Eligibility

To apply for Nebraska’s CPA exam, applicants must have completed 150 semester hours. Additional education is not required for licensure. Examinees are also required to take the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Professional Ethics Exam (AICPA), as well as the NBPA Ethics Exam. The AICPA may send a certificate of completion to the NBPA. You can find the NBPA test online and attach it to your CPA certification application.

Nebraska does not require that prospective CPAs be of a certain age or have citizenship. Candidates must have an SSN, and a connection to Nebraska. The candidate’s connection to Nebraska may be through a residency in the state, employment there regularly, or a business.

International CPA holders are eligible to apply for reciprocity with Nebraska. International CPA holders can apply for reciprocity in Nebraska.

Exam Schedule and Application

Nebraska CPA candidates may schedule their test online. Candidates must ask their university for official transcripts. These can be sent via email or post. The transcripts must include the candidate’s degree. The transcripts can be sent directly by the university to NASBA CPA Examination Services.

Students who are currently enrolled in school and wish to apply for CPA must submit a Certificate of Enrollment form. The enrollment form is proof that the student is enrolled in school and will complete all requirements for the CPA exam within 120 days. If you submit your transcripts before submitting the CPA application, CPAES will store them for a year.

After a person meets all requirements, he or she can apply for the first time. First-time applicants must pay $185 for the first-time application and $238.15 for the examination fees. Non-first time applicants are required to pay an additional $85 registration fee on top of the exam fees. CPA candidates may apply for more than one exam at once, but we recommend paying for only those exams that are scheduled to be taken in the next six months.

After submitting all required documents and fees, the applicant will receive an Notice to Schedule (NTS). CPA candidates have six months from the date they receive their NTS to take the exam. If a candidate fails to pass the test in six months, they will need to apply for another NTS and pay exam fees.

The four CPA sections can be taken in any order. However, all four sections have to be passed within an 18-month rolling period. The CPA exam counts the date of the first exam as the start of the rolling 18-month period. A candidate who fails a test can apply to retake it within 72 hours of receiving the failing score.

After passing the Exam

After a CPA candidate passes the CPA examination, ethics exam and Nebraska’s other requirements, they may apply for a CPA certification. A candidate can also apply for licensure after they have met the experience requirements.

Applicants for a CPA certificate must mail a completed form to the NBPA. The NBPA will provide the most recent licensure application. Active CPAs may verify their license using , a free online search tool.

Maintaining your Licence

Nebraska CPAs must renew their licenses at least every two years. CPAs who fail to renew their license could be classified as inactive members. In order to become active again, an inactive CPA is required to complete 120 hours CPE within three-years, submit a CPE form and pay $200.

CPAs renewing their licenses, who are currently licensed, must complete 80 hours of CPE including 4 hours of ethics in the two-year period before renewal. CPAs renewing their licenses must complete their CPE credits before December 31st of the year prior to renewal. CPAs will then need to submit a CPE form and details by the NBPA before January 31st of their renewal year. The NBPA randomly selects individuals to provide proof regarding CPE.

The Nebraska Society of Certified Public Accountants offers nearly 100 courses and conferences each year. NESCPA offers CPAs networking opportunities, news and professional assistance.

CPA firms can also benefit from the networking opportunities available in Nebraska. Nebraska is one out of 49 jurisdictions where non-CPA holders can own a part of a CPA company. CPA firms are required to be owned by CPAs.

CPAs who hold a license in another state may apply for reciprocity. Candidates for reciprocity must fulfill all educational requirements and meet the residency requirements of the state. CPAs who do not have 150 semester hours can substitute four years’ experience in public accounting if they completed the experience within the past 10 years.

Question about CPAs in Nebraska

How can I become a CPA?

To earn a Nebraska CPA license, prospective CPAs must meet certain education, experience and exam requirements.

Who is eligible to take the CPA exam in Nebraska?

Anyone who has a residence, employment or business in Nebraska and meets the educational requirements can take the CPA licensing exam. The CPA exam will be accompanied by two ethics tests.

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

In Nebraska, a person can become a CPA within two years. Often, however, it takes more time to complete all requirements for aspiring CPAs.

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

Nebraska is one of the very few states that requires CPA certification before a license can be obtained. The state may require a step in the process of licensure but it is no more difficult to obtain a license elsewhere.

How many credits are required to become a CPA?

In Nebraska, all CPA candidates must hold a bachelor’s and 150 semester-hours of education. The coursework of the candidates must include 30 semesters hours in accounting, and 30 semesters hours in business.

The article Nebraska CPA requirements first appeared on Accounting.com.

Author: Emily Kelso