Rhode Island CPA Exam and License Requirements
Last Updated :
21 Aug, 2024
Blog Author :
Wallstreetmojo Team
Edited by :
Ashish Kumar Srivastav
Reviewed by :
Dheeraj Vaidya
Table Of Contents
Rhode Island CPA Exam
Rhode Island CPA (Certified Public Accountant) License is a state-board issued credential to practice the accounting profession in the Ocean State. With several Fortune 100 companies stationed in the state, it is the perfect place to get started with an accounting career. To get an edge in the profession, secure the Rhode Island CPA License by meeting the state-stipulated exam and license requirements.
The Rhode Island Board of Accountancy (RBOA) is responsible for granting licenses to CPAs. In addition, the board regulates the CPA profession, ensuring that it operates at the highest level of competence. Also, the state administers the CPA Examination at worldwide locations.
Rhode Island is a one-tier state. Therefore, candidates don’t acquire a CPA certificate after passing the CPA Examination. Alternately, they immediately possess the CPA license following the completion of necessary prerequisites.
Though limited in size, the state is optimally located in the Northeast in close proximity to major domestic and international markets, giving it all the advantages of a business hub. Moreover, companies are also offered tax credits for increasing their workforce in the state. Thus, it makes an ideal region for business expansion.
It also boasts of several high-profile diverse industries that seek varied accounting services requiring the expertise of CPAs. Besides well-established companies, the state abounds with small enterprises that need the financial insights of CPAs to improve their financial standing.
Therefore, the employment prospects of licensed accounting professionals in the state are bright. Besides that, the numerous opportunities allow CPAs to widen their horizons and take up challenging works to carve out a fulfilling career for themselves.
Now, let’s discuss further the Rhode Island CPA exam and license requirements.
| Particulars | Details |
| Rhode Island CPA License Issuance Authority | Rhode Island Board of Accountancy |
| Licensing Pattern | 1-tier |
| International Examination Program | Available |
| Rhode Island CPA Exam Requirements | Obtain residency |
| Attain 120 semester hours of education | |
| Submit the Fees to CPAES | |
| Pass the Exam with at least 75 points | |
| Rhode Island CPA Licensure Requirements | Get residency |
| Complete at least 150 semester hours | |
| Score a minimum of 75 points in the CPA Exam | |
| Obtain 1 year of work experience | |
| Pass the Ethics Exam with at least 90% |
Contents
Rhode Island CPA Exam Requirements
Rhode Island CPA License Requirements
Continuing Professional Education (CPE)
Rhode Island Exam Information & Resources
Rhode Island CPA Exam Requirements
The Uniform CPA Examination is organized in a computer-based style at domestic and international Prometric testing centers all-round the year. It assesses a candidate’s competence in dealing with the real-life work of a CPA.
The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), the state boards of accountancy, the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA), and Prometric are authorized entities for conducting the exam.
The exam comprises four sections, each with a passing grade of 75 points. Its format incorporates five testlets with multiple-choice questions (MCQs), task-based simulations (TBSs), and written communication tasks (WCTs).
Applicants have a rolling 18-month duration for completing the CPA Exam successfully. This period begins when they attempt the first qualified exam section.
| Particulars | Details |
| CPA Exam format | Online |
| Sections | Financial Accounting & Reporting (FAR) |
| Auditing & Attestation (AUD) | |
| Business Environment & Concepts (BEC) | |
| Regulation (REG) | |
| Duration | 16-hour long (4-hour per section) |
| Regulatory authority | AICPA |
| NASBA | |
| Prometric | |
| Examination timeline | 18-month period (from the testing date of the first qualified section) |
| Passing grade | 75 points on a scale of 0-99 |
| Testlets | 5 |
| Question types | MCQs |
| TBSs | |
| WCTs |
Eligibility Requirements
General Requirements
Candidates must be residents, regularly employed, or have a business place in Rhode Island (RI).
Educational Requirements
Candidates can take one of the following pathways to obtain 120 semester hours:
| Particulars | Pathway 1 | Pathway 2 | Pathway 3 |
| Education | Graduate degree with an accounting major | Graduate degree | Baccalaureate degree or higher degree |
| Degree Program | Accounting program | Business program | Accredited institution |
| Accrediting Agency | Board-recognized | Board-recognized | Board-recognized |
| Accounting Hours | - | Minimum 24 undergraduate-level or 15 graduate-level semester hours in accounting or an equivalent combination:
| Minimum 24 semester hours in accounting at the undergraduate or graduate level with:
|
| Business Hours | - | - | Minimum 24 semester hours in business courses (except accounting courses) at the undergraduate or graduate level with:
|
Apply through CPA Examination Services (CPAES) along with the associated fees and documents. Please refer to the NASBA portal for the complete procedure. NASBA Advisory Evaluation is also available to pinpoint any academic defects in the candidate’s education before the final submission.
Fees
Here is the CPA exam fee structure for first-time and re-examination candidates.
| Particulars | Examination Fees | First-time Applicant Fees | Re-exam Applicant Fees |
| Application Fee | - | $170 | - |
| Registration Fee | - | - | $85 |
| Exam sections | - | - | - |
| AUD | $238.15 | - | - |
| BEC | $238.15 | - | - |
| FAR | $238.15 | - | - |
| REG | $238.15 | $952.6 | $952.6 |
| Total Fees | $952.6 | $1,122 | $1,037.6 |
RI applicants can’t back away from the exam or request a Notice-to-Schedule (NTS) extension. However, they may appeal for a partial examination fee reimbursement or an NTS extension in grave conditions.
Both application and examination fees are non-refundable. Moreover, CPA aspirants must only apply for the exam section(s) possible to take up within the NTS validity period, i.e., six months.
Required Documents
Submit the below-mentioned documents separately or along with the initial application.
| Documents | Submission |
| Official school transcript(s) | Candidate |
| International evaluation summary with international transcripts | Candidate or NASBA International Evaluation Services (NIES) or Foreign Academic Credentials Service, Inc. (FACS) |
| Testing Accommodations Request Form | Candidate |
| A valid RI driver’s license | Candidate |
The college or university must send the e-transcripts directly to NASBA. Note that photocopied transcripts are unauthenticated and, accordingly, unacceptable.
Rhode Island CPA License Requirements
Ensure to complete the following steps along the path to RI CPA licensure.
- Acquire Rhode Island residency
- Hold a valid Social Security Number
- Obtain 150 semester hours
- Pass each of the four CPA exam sections with at least 75 points
- Gain at least one year of relevant work experience
- Score a minimum of 90% in the AICPA’s Ethics Exam
Apply through RBOA along with the required documents and fees. For more details, kindly visit the RI state board website.
Education Requirements
RI CPA licensure applicants must complete 150 semester hours from an authorized college or university. There are three pathways to earn the required hours. Please check the Eligibility Criteria section for detailed information.
Exam Requirements
Candidates must pass all four CPA exam sections with at least 75 points on a scale of 0-99. From the testing date of their first qualified section, they have 18 months to conclude the licensure test. More information is specified in the Rhode Island Exam Requirements section.
Experience Requirements
RI CPA aspirants must obtain at least one year (1820 hours) of admissible work experience under the supervision of a licensed CPA or PA. In addition, the supervising CPA/PA must submit the Experience Verification Form directly to the RBOA office.
Ethics Requirements
Candidates must secure a passing grade of at least 90% in the AICPA Comprehensive Course Ethics Exam. It encompasses the rules and regulations associated with the practice of a CPA.
Check out all the details here.
| Particulars | Requirements | |
| Course Title | Professional Ethics: The AICPA’s Comprehensive Course (For Licensure) | |
| Exam Vendor | AICPA | |
| Passing Score | A minimum of 90% | |
| Mode | Online | |
| Exam Content | Independence Requirements | |
| Ethics | ||
| Integrity, Objectivity, & Professional Conduct | ||
| Activities that stigmatize the profession | ||
| AICPA Code of Professional Conduct | ||
| Conceptual Framework | ||
| Ethics Interpretations | ||
| Format | Self-Study | |
| Open-book | ||
| Price | AICPA Members | $189 |
| Non-members | $245 | |
| Level | Basic | |
| Availability | 1-year |
Continuing Professional Education (CPE)
All RI CPAs must earn 120 CPE credit hours over a triennial period. Candidates can obtain the hours from programs rendered by NASBA’s National Registry of CPE Sponsors.
Here lies all the relevant information.
| Particulars | Details | |
| License Renewal Date | June 30 (Triennially) | |
| CPE Reporting Period | July 1-June 30 (Triennially) | |
| General CPE Requirement | 120 hours | |
| Ethics Requirement | 6 hours in every 3 years | |
| Credit Limitations | Instruction | Maximum 60 hours over 3 years |
| Published Materials | Maximum 60 hours over 3 years | |
| Personal Development & Marketing | Maximum 24 hours per reporting period | |
| Self-Study | NASBA’s Quality Assurance Service approved or interactive credits | |
| Nano Learning | Acceptable only in 0.2 increments | |
| Credit Calculation | Instruction | Credits = Presentation Time + Preparation Time (limited to 2 times presentation time) |
| Acceptable in 0.2-, 0.5-, or 1-hour increments | ||
| Other State Policies | Qualifying programs | Formal learning programs contributing directly to the professional capability of a CPA or PA |
| Exemption | Licensee’s principal place of business with CPE requirements | Meet state-specific CPE requirements |
| Licensee’s principal place of business without CPE requirements | Meet RI CPE requirements |
Congratulations to all the newly licensed CPAs in RI! Now, just ensure to renew the license every three years. Furthermore, consider joining the AICPA or RI Society of CPAs to get academic and professional counseling.
Rhode Island offers an admirable merger of both stellar accounting career options and an inexpensive cost of living. Moreover, prepping for one of the most challenging certifications in a place packed with natural beauty is the perfect combination for CPA aspirants.
Therefore, satisfy the license requirements and pass the CPA Exam at the earliest to enjoy a rewarding career in the peaceful state of Rhode Island. Remember that there are numerous specialization areas to choose from after licensure. So, select the most suitable one and kick-start the professional journey! Learn more about CPE Credits for CPA
Rhode Island Exam Information & Resources
1. Rhode Island Board of Accountancy (https://dbr.ri.gov/divisions/accountancy/)
1511 Pontiac Avenue
Cranston
RI 02920
Phone: (401) 462-9500
Fax: (401) 462-9532
2. Rhode Island Society of CPAs (https://www.riscpa.org/)
40 Sharpe Drive, Unit 5,
Cranston, RI 02920
Phone: 401-331-5720
Fax: 401-454-5780 fax
Email: info@riscpa.org
3. Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation (https://elicensing.ri.gov/)
1511 Pontiac Avenue Cranston, RI 02920
Email: dbr.elicensing@dbr.ri.gov
Phone: (401) 462-9559
4. NASBA (https://nasba.org/)
150 Fourth Ave. North
Suite 700
Nashville, TN 37219-2417
Tel: 615-880-4200
Fax: 615-880-4290
CPAES
1.800.CPA.EXAM
5. AICPA (https://www.aicpa.org/)
Phone number: 888.777.7077
220 Leigh Farm Road
Durham, NC 27707-8110
Fax server: 800.362.5066
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