New Hampshire CPA Exam and License Requirements
Table Of Contents
New Hampshire CPA Exam
New Hampshire CPA (Certified Public Accountant) License is a globally-recognized accounting certification for qualified professionals. The state's vibrant economy provides high-paying jobs, low taxes, and good quality of life for working professionals. By satisfying the stipulated exam and other license requirements, New Hampshire CPA candidates can set themselves up for a fulfilling life and a rewarding career in the state.
New Hampshire Board of Accountancy (NHBA) is the statutory authority that bestows the CPA license and governs the profession in the state. Its goal is to ensure licensed professionals measure up to the high standards set by the state for the practice of the CPA profession.
The U.S. jurisdiction pursues a one-tier licensing system. It means that no CPA certificate is granted upon successful exam completion. Instead, NHBA directly issues the license after the mandatory preconditions are met. The state also participates in the administration of the CPA Exam at international Prometric test centers.
The Granite State has a dynamic economy resulting from a judicious mix of a well-educated workforce and a strong economic base. Moreover, the state has a diverse mix of industries making it less susceptible to economic downturns following a single industry failure.
Thus, the state provides CPAs with a wide range of options to kick-start their professional journey and ensure steady career growth. So, to embark on this journey as a New Hampshire candidate, first understand the state-specific CPA exam and license requirements.
Particulars | Details | |
Licensing Agency | New Hampshire Board of Accountancy (NHBA) | |
Licensing Pattern | 1-tier | |
Minimum Age | None | |
Residency | Not required | |
U.S. Citizenship | Not required | |
Social Security Number | Required | |
Education Requirement | For Examination | 120 semester hours with a bachelor’s degree |
For License | 150 semester hours with a bachelor’s degree | |
Examination Requirement | Pass all exam sections within 18 months with at least 75 points in each | |
Experience Requirement | 1 year | |
Ethics Requirement | None |
Contents
New Hampshire CPA Exam Requirements
New Hampshire CPA License Requirements
New Hampshire CPA Exam Requirements
The Uniform CPA Examination is a four-part computer-assisted licensure test. Each four-hour-long section analyses your accounting proficiency and competency in detail.
The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA), and Prometric regulate the exam process.
Candidates must gain all passing scores within 18 months from when they sat for the first qualified exam section. Ensure to pass each section with at least 75 points on a scale of 0-99.
Particulars | Details |
CPA Exam sections | Auditing & Attestation (AUD) |
Business Environment & Concepts (BEC) | |
Financial Accounting & Reporting (FAR) | |
Regulation (REG) | |
Regulatory Body | AICPA |
NASBA | |
Prometric | |
Duration | 4-hour long |
Testlets (per section) | 5 |
Exam Format | Online |
Passing Score | 75 points on a scale of 0-99 (per section) |
Exam Timeline | 18 months from the testing date of the first cleared section |
Question Types | Multiple-Choice Questions |
Task-Based Simulations | |
Written Communication Tasks |
Eligibility Requirements
New Hampshire exam applicants must:
- Hold at least a baccalaureate degree from a recognized, accredited institution
- Earn 120 semester hours with:
- Minimum 30 semester hours in accounting subjects like financial accounting, management accounting, auditing, and taxation
- Minimum 24 semester hours in business subjects except accounting
The candidates can use the NASBA Advisory Evaluation service to figure out any academic deficiencies in their education. After meeting all requirements, submit the exam application to CPA Examination Services (CPAES). For details of the complete process, kindly visit the NASBA portal.
Fees
Let’s view the fee structure for New Hampshire applicants.
Particulars | Examination Fees | First-time Applicant Fees | Re-exam Applicant Fees |
Application Fee | - | $245 | - |
Registration Fee | - | - | $160 |
Exam sections | - | - | - |
AUD | $238.15 | - | - |
BEC | $238.15 | - | - |
FAR | $238.15 | - | - |
REG | $238.15 | $952.6 | $952.6 |
Total Fees | $952.6 | $1,197.6 | $1,112.6 |
New Hampshire does not have any clause to request a Notice-to-Schedule (NTS) extension or back out from the CPA exam. Only applicants in extraordinary situations may request a limited exam fee rebate or an NTS extension.
Both examination and application fees are non-refundable. Therefore, candidates must only sign up for the exam sections that are feasible to take within the next six months. After that, the NTS will be perceived as invalid, resulting in exam fees forfeiture.
Required Documents
CPAES requires the submission of the below-mentioned documents.
Documents | Submission |
Official school transcripts (may be submitted electronically) | Institution |
International Evaluation Summary with International transcripts | Applicant or NASBA International Evaluation Services (NIES) |
Testing Accommodations Request Form | Applicant |
Please note that CPAES does not acknowledge photocopied documents and regards them as unofficial.
New Hampshire CPA License Requirements
Check out the following pre-requisites to acquire the New Hampshire CPA License:
- Social Security Number – Required
- Education – 150 semester hours
- Examination – At least 75 points in all 4 CPA Exam sections
- Experience – 1 year
Apply for the license through NASBA’s Licensing Service. Here are the licensing fees:
- Initial License - $150
- Transfer of Grades - $150
- Reciprocal License - $150
Further details are specified on the official website.
Education Requirements
Here is the list of education requirements:
- At least a baccalaureate degree from a regionally or nationally authorized U.S. institution with 120 semester hours
- A total of 150 semester hours with:
- 30 semester hours in accounting subjects such as financial accounting, management accounting, taxation, and auditing
- 24 semester hours in business subjects
Note that you require only 120 semester hours to attempt the CPA Exam. At the same time, additional 30 semester hours are a prerequisite for CPA licensure.
Candidates with international education must get their credentials evaluated through NIES.
Exam Requirements
You must pass the Uniform CPA Examination or International Qualifications Exam (IQEX). This guide has detailed information on the CPA Exam. To know more, please check the New Hampshire Exam Requirements section.
Experience Requirements
New Hampshire CPA licensure applicants must complete one year of full-time or part-time work experience. In addition, they must gain the required employment in industry, public accounting, and/or government.
Let’s view all the details here.
Particulars | Details | |
Required Work Experience | 1 year | |
Employment Type | Full-time | Minimum 1500 hours annually in audit and/or accounting skills |
Part-time | 2080 hours annually with 1500 hours per year in audit and/or accounting skills | |
Experience gained within 6 years immediately before the application is received | Acceptable for 2-year requirement | |
Experience gained within 5 years immediately before the application is received | Acceptable for 1-year requirement | |
Qualifying Areas | Industry | |
Public accounting | ||
Government | ||
Experience Verification | CPA from the U.S. | |
Any foreign credential issued in a foreign nation in compliance with RSA 309-B:7, X, as regulated by NASBA and the state board | ||
Experience gained outside of the U.S. | Experience verification through NASBA Experience Verification Service |
Continuing Professional Education (CPE)
In New Hampshire, CPAs must gain 120 CPE credit hours every three years to renew their license. Note that the CPE credits earned through programs recommended by the National Registry Sponsors are acceptable.
Here lie all the details.
Particulars | Details | |
License Renewal Date | June 30 (Triennially) | |
Based on the first letter of the last name | ||
CPE Reporting Period | July 1-June 30 (Triennially) | |
Renewal Fee | $275 | |
Required CPE hours | 120 hours (minimum 20 hours annually) | |
Ethics Requirement | 4 hours | |
Credit Limitations | Instruction | Maximum 50% of total hours |
Published Materials | Maximum 50% of total hours | |
Credit Calculation | Instruction | Credit = Presentation + Preparation (Preparation is equal to 2 times presentation) |
Partial Credit | Acceptable after the first hour | |
University/College | Credit Courses | 1 semester hour = 15 CPE hours |
Non-credit Courses | 1 classroom hour = 1 qualifying hour | |
Other State Policies | CPE Credits Carryover | Maximum 60 hours allowed |
Must not be used to meet the yearly minimum or ethics requirements |
New Hampshire has a diversified industry with numerous employment opportunities in the manufacturing, information technology, business, and healthcare sectors. Needlessly, all these sectors demand the services of licensed accountants.
The state is also well-known for its relatively low poverty rates, as it provides countless economic benefits. Thus, it is an amazing place for CPAs to showcase their accounting prowess. So, gear up to qualify for the challenging CPA Exam and fulfill other license requirements to enter the New Hampshire labor force as a newly minted CPA.
Most importantly, keep renewing the license every three years to sustain its validity! Learn more about CPEs for CPA.
New Hampshire Exam Information & Resources
1. New Hampshire Board of Accountancy (https://www.oplc.nh.gov/board-accountancy)
7 Eagle Square
Concord, NH – 03301
Ph: (605) 271-2152
2. New Hampshire Society of CPAs
500 North Commercial Street,
Suite 502
Manchester, NH 03101
3. NASBA (https://nasba.org/)
150 Fourth Ave. North
Suite 700
Nashville, TN 37219-2417
Ph: 615-880-4200
Fax: 615-880-4290
4. AICPA (https://www.aicpa.org/)
Phone number: 888.777.7077
220 Leigh Farm Road
Durham, NC 27707-8110
Ph: +1.919.402.4500
Fax: +1.919.402.4505
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