Kentucky CPA Exam & License Requirements

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Kentucky CPA Exam

To legally practice public accounting in Kentucky, accountants must obtain the Kentucky CPA (Certified Public Accountant) License. The license ensures that only qualified professionals complying with state accounting standards hold themselves out as CPAs. To be licensed in Kentucky, CPA candidates must demonstrate that they have fulfilled certain education, exam, and other license requirements.

Kentucky CPA Exam & License Requirements

The state assigns the Kentucky Board of Accountancy (KBOA) to oversee the licensing process and advance the profession. It follows the one-tier licensing process. Thereby, applicants directly receive the CPA license after satisfying all the prescribed conditions without having to apply for a CPA certificate. 

Kentucky is a prosperous state with a growing economy. Its advanced infrastructure, dedicated workforce, and geographical location foster an environment that facilitates business development. As a result, it has a prolific legacy in fields like AgriTech, Health Care, Automotive, Aerospace, and Manufacturing.

Thus, finance professionals can look forward to serving diverse industries in well-paying jobs and contributing to Kentucky’s burgeoning economy. With a promising job market, pleasant climate, open spaces, and low cost of living, Kentucky is a great place to live and pursue a career. 

Here is an outline of the Kentucky CPA exam and license requirements.

ParticularsDetails
Minimum Age18 years
Kentucky ResidencyRequired
U.S. CitizenshipNot required
Social Security NumberRequired
Education RequirementFor ExaminationA bachelor’s degree with 120 semester hours
For License150 semester hours with a bachelor’s degree
Examination RequirementScore 75 points in each of the four exam sections
Experience Requirement1 year
Ethics RequirementNone
Kentucky CPA Licensure Process

Contents

Kentucky CPA Exam Requirements

Kentucky CPA License Requirements

Continuing Professional Education (CPE)

Kentucky Exam Information & Resources

Kentucky CPA Exam Requirements

CPA Exam is a computer-based series of four sections conducted to review a candidate’s prowess in comprehending and applying basic accounting and business concepts. Each section of CPA exam is four-hour long with a passing score of 75 points on a scale of 0-99. 

The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) composes and evaluates the exam in co-operation with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) and Prometric. Note that the Bluegrass State does not undertake the international administration of the CPA Exam. 

Candidates must successfully conclude the test within 18 months following the date they passed the first section. 

Kentucky CPA Exam Sections

Eligibility Requirements

General Requirements

  • At least 18 years of age
  • Good moral character
  • Social Security Number

Educational Requirements

A baccalaureate or master’s degree from a board-recognized institution with an accounting major or equivalent, including:

  • 27 semester hours in accounting courses with subjects like:
    • Business
    • Management
    • Finance
    • Marketing
    • Economics
    • Computers
    • Statistics
    • Accounting
  • 12 semester hours in business courses with subjects like:
    • Auditing
    • Tax
    • Accounting Standards
    • Accounting Principles
    • Accounting Processes
Kentucky CPA Exam Education Requirements

Candidates must apply through the Kentucky state board. For more information, please check the KBOA’s official website. 

Fees

Initial applicants

ParticularsExamination FeesTotal Fees
Application Fee-$30
Registration Fee--
Exam sections--
AUD$238.15-
BEC$238.15-
FAR$238.15-
REG$238.15$952.6
Total Fees$952.6$982.6

Re-examination applicants

CPA Exam SectionsExam Fees (per section)Total Exam Fees (all sections)Registration FeesTotal Fees
4 exam sections$209.99$839.96$120$959.96
3 exam sections$209.99$629.97$90$719.97
2 exam sections$209.99$419.98$60$479.98
1 exam sections$209.99$209.99$30$239.99

CPA aspirants must pay the application fees to the Kentucky Board of Accountancy. At the same time, the examination fees are payable to NASBA via the NASBA payment coupon within the 90-day validity period. 

Once the Notice-to-Schedule (NTS) is issued, CPA aspirants must schedule the section(s) via Prometric within the next six months.  

Required Documents

Here is the listing of all the necessary documents. 

Required Documents for Kentucky

Note that the college transcripts must be originals and not forwards or copies. Also, e-transcripts are acceptable only if emailed directly from the institution. 

Kentucky CPA License Requirements

Check out the following Kentucky CPA licensure prerequisites.

ParticularsRequirements
Minimum Age18 years
Education150 semester hours
Uniform CPA ExaminationA minimum of 75 points in all 4 exam sections
Experience1 year
Social Security NumberRequired

Candidates must be one of the following:

  • U.S. citizenship
  • Foreign citizenship with legal U.S. residency
  • Employed in accounting or attest position in the U.S.-based office of a foreign post-secondary institute, company, or public accounting firm.

Submit the licensure application to the Kentucky state board within five years of successful CPA Exam completion. Ensure to attach the associated documents and fees (money order or check for $100). Refer to the KBOA website for the complete procedure. 

Education Requirements

Candidates must obtain 150 semester hours of education before applying for the CPA License. It encompasses: 

  • 27 semester hours of accounting
  • 12 semester hours of business courses

For more details, kindly visit the Eligibility Criteria section. 

Exam Requirements

CPA aspirants must ensure successful CPA Exam completion within the rolling 18-month period. In addition, it requires them to score a minimum of 75 points in each of the four exam sections. Kindly check the Kentucky CPA Exam Requirements section for detailed information. 

Experience Requirements

Applicants must complete one year (2000 hours) of work experience verified by an active CPA in an accounting or auditing position. Ensure to gain the preferred employment within five years (before or after) of passing the CPA Exam. 

The acceptable hours exclude any holiday time or leave. Applicants or the verifying CPA may submit the Certificate of Experience for multiple employment locations. Note that the verifying CPA need not be their supervisor or colleague. 

Continuing Professional Education (CPE)

Kentucky CPA licensure requires renewal every two years with the required CPE credit hours. Note that it is not mandatory to earn the required hours through state board-registered or NASBA’s National Registry of CPE Sponsors. 

Here lies all the related information. 

ParticularsDetails
License Renewal DateAugust 1
Even License NumberEven Years
Odd License NumberOdd Years
CPE Reporting PeriodJanuary 1-December 31 (Biennially)
Even License NumberEven Years
Odd License NumberOdd Years
Required CPE hoursIf the licensee worked for a minimum of 3000 hours in a public accounting firm80 hours
If the licensee worked for less than 3000 hours in a public accounting firm60 hours
If the licensee is employed in education, industry, or government60 hours
If the licensee worked for a minimum of 3000 hours in a public accounting firm starting in the 2022-2023 reporting period40 hours in technical fields of study
If the licensee worked for less than 3000 hours in a public accounting firm starting in the 2022-2023 reporting period30 hours in technical fields of study
Ethics Requirement2 hours (included in the basic requirement of 80 or 60 hours)
Other RequirementsAttest or compilation services per year8 hours
Personal DevelopmentMaximum 8 hours (if 80 hours are required)
Maximum 12 hours (if 60 hours are required)
Credit LimitationsInstructionMaximum 60% of total hours
Published MaterialsMaximum 25%
Credit CalculationInstruction 1 CPE hour for each contact hour
Partial CreditThe course must be a minimum of 1 CPE hour in length
Other State PoliciesThe principal place of the licensee’s business has CPE requirementsMeet state-specific CPE Requirements
The principal place of the licensee’s business does not have CPE requirementsMeet Kentucky CPE Requirements

Almost every business, government agency, and individual relies upon CPAs to sustain and augment their financial status. Needlessly, their job prospects and market demand are pretty high compared to non-licensed accountants. 

CPA aspirants must ensure to start their licensure prep as soon as possible. The Kentucky licensure process requires a detailed understanding of license requirements, including the CPA Exam, education, and experience. Consultation with academic counselors and keeping a check on the KBOA website may help in the process. 

Moreover, applicants can also get a KBOA membership. It will offer them several networking and development opportunities to bolster their portfolio. You may learn more about CPE Credits for CPA.

Kentucky Exam Information & Resources

1. Kentucky Board of Accountancy (https://cpa.ky.gov/Pages/default.aspx)

332 West Broadway Suite 310,

Louisville KY 40202

Ph: (502) 595-3037

Fax: (502) 595-4500 

Email address: cpa@ky.gov

2. Kentucky Society of CPAs (https://www.kycpa.org/)

1735 Alliant Ave.
Louisville, KY 40299

Ph: (502) 266-5272

Toll Free: (800) 292-1754 (KY)

Fax: (502) 261-9512

info@kycpa.org

3. AICPA (https://www.aicpa.org/)

220 Leigh Farm Road

Durham, NC 27707-8110

Ph: +1.919.402.4500
Fax: +1.919.402.4505

4. NASBA (https://nasba.org/)

150 Fourth Ave. North

Suite 700

Nashville, TN 37219-2417

Tel: 615-880-4200

Fax: 615-880-4290