New Jersey CPA Exam & License Requirements

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New Jersey CPA Exam

New Jersey CPA (Certified Public Accountant) License permits an accredited practitioner to pursue public accountancy in the Garden State. CPA licensure aspirants in New Jersey must observe the academic work, exam, and other license requirements.

It is a one-tier licensing state. It means candidates don’t earn a certificate upon completing the CPA exam successfully. Instead, they directly obtain the CPA license on meeting all the license prerequisites. Note that the New Jersey State Board of Accountancy is responsible for licensing and regulating the public accounting profession in the state.

The U.S. jurisdiction does not partake in the International Examination Program. Further, let’s discuss all aspects of the New Jersey CPA exam and license requirements in detail.

Contents

New Jersey CPA Exam Requirements

Eligibility Requirements
Fees
Required Documents

New Jersey CPA License Requirements

Education Requirements
Exam Requirements
Experience Requirements
Ethics Requirements

Continuing Professional Education (CPE)

New Jersey Exam Information & Resources

New Jersey CPA Exam Requirements

The Uniform CPA Examination is a 16-hour long, computer-aided test encompassing four sections. It is devised to assess the minimal competence and education required of a CPA.

The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) supervises the licensure test in collaboration with the National Association of State Boards of Public Accountancy (NASBA). The exam consists of three types of questions: Multiple-choice Questions (MCQs), Task-based Simulations (TBSs), and Written Communication Tasks (WCTs).

You can take the four CPA exam sections in any order within the rolling 18-month period. This timespan starts from the testing date of the first passed section. To pass each section, you must score a minimum of 75 points on a scale of 0-99.

Eligibility Requirements

General Requirements

Be minimum of 18 years old
Be of good moral character

Educational Requirements

Hold at least a bachelor’s degree (in any field of study) from a regionally accredited institution
Gain a minimum of 120 semester hours with:
- 24 semester hours in accounting
- 24 semester hours in business

Apply for the exam through CPA Examination Services (CPAES). Please visit the NASBA’s Central portal for the complete the CPA application process.

Moreover, the NASBA Advisory Evaluation service is available to discover any educational deficiency before the final submission.

Fees

Here lies the fee structure for both initial and re-examination candidates.

Particulars	Examination Fees	First-time Applicant Fees	Re-examination Candidate Fees
Application Fee	-	$160	-
Registration Fee	-	-	$80
Exam sections	-	-	-
AUD	$238.15	-
BEC	$238.15	-
FAR	$238.15	-
REG	$238.15	$952.6	$952.6
Total Fees	$952.6	$1,112.6	$1,032.6

New Jersey applicants can’t withdraw from the exam or request a Notice-to-Schedule (NTS) extension. However, applicants in exceptional situations may receive a partial examination fee repayment or request an NTS extension.

Both application and examination fees are non-refundable. Therefore, attempt the applied exam section(s) within the NTS validity period, i.e., six months.

Required Documents

Candidates must submit the following documents to CPAES:

Please note that photocopies of transcripts are unofficial and, thus, unacceptable. In addition, ensure to attach a photograph taken within the last three months, displaying your head and shoulders only.

New Jersey CPA License Requirements

After passing the CPA Exam, check if you fulfill all the other New Jersey CPA license requirements.

Submit the licensure application, required transcripts, and fees to New Jersey State Board. Kindly visit the official portal to know the complete procedure. Moreover, applicants with foreign credentials must opt for educational evaluation through NIES.

The licensing fees are as follows:

Initial License - $65
Transfer of Grades - $75
Reciprocal - $75

Education Requirements

New Jersey CPA licensure applicants must earn 150 semester hours from an accredited institution. They may gain the required credits within or beyond a degree program. Further details are specified in the Eligibility Requirements section.

All candidates who took the CPA Exam with 120 semester hours of education must further complete 30 hours for licensure. Besides, they must get the additional credentials evaluated through the NASBA Licensing Services as a part of the licensure procedure. However, exam applicants with 150 semester hours may directly apply through the New Jersey State Board.

Exam Requirements

Once you complete the 120-semester hour requirement, apply to take up the AICPA-administered CPA exam. It is a four-part professional test to be passed with at least 75 points in each. For more information, kindly check the New Jersey Exam Requirements section.

Experience Requirements

Candidates must obtain one year (1750 hours) of full-time work experience under the supervision of an active CPA. Part-time employment will be considered equivalent if attained within two continuous years.

Ensure to demonstrate your skills in accounting or auditing as per the board regulations. Moreover, produce Statements of Experience of all employment after acquiring a baccalaureate degree.

Individuals working toward the experience requirement, employed in the tax department, and practicing public accountancy must:

Ensure to dedicate 25% of the time to auditing and accounting
Not indicate that 100% of the time is spent on tax services in the Experience form

The form must display the activities you participated in, with a total of 25% of the time spent in auditing and accounting tasks and the remaining 75% in tax services.

Ethics Requirements

CPA licensure candidates must take a four-hour-long New Jersey Law and Ethics course offered by an approved sponsor. They may attempt the course before or after six months of acquiring the license.

Ensure to send the course confirmation to the New Jersey State Board within a month of taking the course. Please note that the New Jersey Society of CPAs is an approved sponsor.

Continuing Professional Education (CPE)

To continue providing credible and professional services, New Jersey CPAs must complete 120 hours of CPE credits every three years. You may gain the required credit hours only through program sponsors registered with the state board. The following entities are excused from the board registration:

NASBA-registered sponsors
Accredited universities or colleges
Federal and state government agencies
National and state professional organizations

Let’s get you all the details.

Particulars	Details
Date for renewing the license	December 31 (Triennially)
License renewal fees	$90
CPE reporting period	January 1-December 31 (Triennially)
Required CPE hours	120 hours (at least 20 hours annually)
Ethics requirement	4 hours in board-approved New Jersey law and ethics course
Other state policies	Exemption	Non-resident licensees meet the CPE requirements in their principal place of business
If a non-resident licensee’s state does not have CPE requirements, they must comply with New Jersey’s CPE Requirements
Other subject area requirements	Technical subjects	60 hours
Auditing, review, & compilation	24 hours
Credit limitations	Blended learning	Only NASBA-registered sponsors
Instruction	Maximum 60 hours
Nano learning	Only NASBA-registered sponsors
Published materials	Maximum 30 hours (authorship)
Reviewer	Maximum 60 hours
Self-study	Only NASBA-registered sponsors
Fields of study	Limitations on specific subject areas

Proper planning and strategic execution are essential to the utmost success in gaining the New Jersey CPA title. Earning the credential in Garden State will offer you an average annual base pay of $88,241. Along with an impressive military history and several exotic beaches, New Jersey is also a doorway to a successful accounting career.

So, begin your New Jersey CPA license journey by first understanding all the exam and license requirements specific to the state. Last but not least, we wish you all the best on this epic adventure of yours! Please refer to this article to learn more - CPEs for CPA