As an International Student, How Do I Become a U.S. CPA?

An international candidate or a student with foreign education can become a CPA if they meet the educational requirements listed by one of the 55 US jurisdiction Boards of Accountancy, apply to that state board to sit for the exam, and pass the four part CPA Exam.

[PLEASE READ: We receive dozens of requests for assistance from international students. Wiley offers a FREE consultation service for eligible students: please complete the form on our International Students page. We will reach out shortly to help if we can. ]

Please note that the requirements vary substantially between jurisdictions so you will need to make sure that you qualify for the jurisdiction where you intend to apply. For the most up-to-date requirements and foreign student policies, check the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy website.

In order to ensure that candidates meet their eligibility requirements, most Boards of Accountancy require that individuals with foreign credits have their academic credentials evaluated. For a list of your jurisdiction’s recognized foreign credential evaluation services, visit the NASBA Members Page. Many jurisdictions recognize evaluations made by the members of the National Association of Credentials Evaluation Services (NACES). This is an association comprised of private foreign educational credential evaluations services recognized for maintaining ethical standards in the field of foreign educational evaluation.

If you are a foreign student planning to take the CPA Exam, we recommend you start the application process at least four to six months in advance of when you plan to sit for the exams. You will need time to have your educational credentials evaluated, have your exam application approved, make your travel arrangements, and obtain a U.S. visa, if necessary.

Candidates are welcome to sit for the CPA Exam in the U.S. or at one of the international CPA Exam testing centers if you meet the qualifications of one of the 55 U.S. jurisdictions and are also:

• An American living overseas
• A permanent resident or a citizen of Japan, Bahrain, Kuwait, Lebanon, or the United Arab Emirates or
• A permanent resident or a citizen of Jordan, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Qatar may test in any of the four Middle Eastern nations listed previously or
• Citizens and long-term residents of Brazil, Argentina, Venezuela and Columbia may sit for the Exam in Brazil.
• Each of these individuals is welcome to sit for the exam in the U.S.

It is also recommended that you prepare for the exam by taking a review course. If you plan to prepare outside of the U.S., there are a number of quality, online CPA review courses available.

Wiley CPAexcel State Selection Consultants – a Free Service

In order to take the CPA Exam, you need to select one of the 55 jurisdictions and apply to sit for the exam. Selecting the right state is time-consuming and can be complicated. Each state sets its own educational requirements. You need to find a state whose requirements match your post-secondary educational background. It is important for you to understand the process so you may choose the best state for your situation.

Wiley CPAexcel’s State Selection Consultants have helped thousands of candidates become U.S. CPAs. In a brief exchange of e-mails, our consultants can usually tell you right away if you are eligible to take the exam, which will save you a lot of time, energy and possible frustration as state/evaluator section is not necessarily a straightforward process.

Once you become a Wiley CPAexcel student, our consultants will work with you every step of the way to determine which state you should write for, help you choose which evaluator to use, assist you with the applications and schedule the exam. You will have continuing support regarding state selection and transcript evaluation until you pass the exam.

If you are eligible, you will receive a detailed email explaining the costs and timing involved so that you are better prepared to make a decision on whether to proceed. If you decide to become a Wiley CPAexcel student, our consultants will then give you specific state and evaluator recommendations as well as specific instructions on how to complete the applications and schedule the exam. They will also provide you with a guarantee of eligibility and will provide continuing support until you pass the exam.

All these services are FREE to Wiley CPAexcel students. Learn more and contact us to receive this service here.