Arkansas CPA Exam Requirements

Education requirements

Residency requirements
150 Semester Hours Required to Sit for the Exam? Yes U.S. Citizenship Required: No
Minimum Degree Required: Baccalaureate Applicant must be a resident, employee, OR have office in the state? Yes

Other:

Baccalaureate with 150 hours or Graduate degree

Additional Educational Requirements

  • A graduate degree with a concentration in accounting
  • An undergraduate degree including 150 hours with at least 30 upper-level or 20 graduate hours in accounting
  • Arkansas considers 3 levels of accreditation in evaluating coursework at different Universities.  See details below in CPA Exam Application Process. 

Age requirements

Age Minimum: None

Note: The requirements shown relate specifically to "applying for" and "taking" the exam. Additional requirements may be in effect relating to "certification" and "licensing", Please contact the appropriate state board for "certification" and "licensing" requirements.

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Arkansas CPA exam application process

Arkansas Application Process

  1. Review exam requirements
  2. Submit your exam application, enroll in Becker
  3. Request and forward your transcripts
  4. Pay your exam fees
  5. Schedule your exam

View all steps >>

International Candidates >>

Exam process links

Arkansas CPA Application Process: Click here >>
Arkansas CPA Application Forms: Click here >>
Arkansas CPA Statutes: Click here >>

Arkansas exam fees

Initial Application Fee: $120
Audit: $226.28
Financial: $214.35
Regulation: $190.50
Business: $178.58
Total: $929.71
Special Fees:
$50 first time fee 		 

All Fees are Non-Refundable

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Arkansas state board contacts

Arkansas State Board of Public Accountancy
101 East Capitol, Suite 450
Little Rock, AR
72201

Web: www.state.ar.us/asbpa >>
Phone: 501-682-1520
Fax: 501-682-5538

Additional information about the exam/process

Exam Links: AICPA >>
NASBA >>
CPA-Exam.org >>
Become a CPA: http://www.beckercpa.com/become-a-cpa/Become-a-CPA.pdf >>
Exam FAQ's: http://pdfs/NewExamFAQs.pdf >>
“Test Drive” Prometric: http://www.prometric.com/TestDrive/default.htm >>
Familiarize yourself with the testing environment
“Licensing Resources (subscription required) http://all.nasbatools.com/jurisdiction/list_jurisdiction
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Arkansas CPA exam application process

  1. Review exam requirements

    To sit for the CPA exam as a first-time four-part candidate in Arkansas, follow these steps: Before applying for the exam, evaluate your current credentials. You will need:
    1. A graduate degree with a concentration in accounting from an accounting program or department that meets the criteria for Level 1 accreditation, or
    2. A graduate degree with at least 30 upper-level or 20 graduate hours in accounting (or a combination thereof) from a college or university that meets the criteria for Level 2, or
    3. An undergraduate degree, including 150 hours with at least 30 upper-level or 20 graduate hours in accounting (or a combination thereof) from a college or university that meets the criteria for either Level 1 or Level 2, or
    4. A graduate or an undergraduate degree which includes 150 hours with at least 30 upper-level or 20 graduate hours in accounting (or a combination thereof) from a college or university that meets the criteria for Level 3 accreditation.  Additional detailed requirements also apply to each option.

  2. Submit your exam application, enroll in Becker

    If you meet the educational requirements, submit your application to the Arkansas State Board of Public Accountancy using the link provided in the Becker website. The application fee will be $120. Your name on the application should exactly match your name on your primary form of identification, which is usually your driver’s license. At this time you should also begin planning your study approach by making inquiries into CPA reviews available in your area. The Becker CPA Review offers classes live, online or self-study to accommodate the needs of all candidates.

  3. Request and forward your transcripts

    Contact any educational institutions attended and request that transcripts be forwarded to the Arkansas State Board of Public Accountancy for their evaluation. If you do not expect any problems in processing your application it is best to make plans to start your review at this time. The Becker CPA Review will significantly increase your chances of passing the exam.

  4. Pay your exam fees

    After receiving the required information, the State Board will issue your Authorization to Test (ATT) to the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA). You will receive an invoice for exam fees which must be paid in advance. Once fees are paid, you will receive a Notice to Schedule (NTS) which is good for six months; however, since every third is non-testing, the NTS covers four testing months.

  5. Schedule your exam

    Your NTS allows you to start scheduling your exams. You can sit for the exam parts in any sequence so you can plan your reviews to coincide with your exam scheduling. The most efficient approach is to sit for two parts in each exam window; however, exam fees paid for parts not taken are not refundable. Exam times are scheduled with Prometric and can be set up online at www.prometric.com/cpa. You can take the exam at a site in Arkadelphia, Fort Smith, Little Rock, or any other Prometric location that is convenient to you.

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