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Bureau of Labor Statistics, accountants in New Hampshire earn an average annual salary of $81,310, making it an appealing location for aspiring professionals.
Certified public accountants (CPAs) in the state need to complete the Uniform CPA Exam and meet specific education and experience requirements. Explore the process of qualifying for the CPA exam and obtaining licensure in New Hampshire with this helpful guide.
Education Requirements for Becoming a CPA in New Hampshire
Each U.S. state can set specific and separate requirements for taking the Uniform CPA Exam and receiving licensure. To sit for the exam, a candidate needs 120 credits, but for licensure In New Hampshire, aspiring CPAs need at least a bachelor's degree, 150 credits of classes, and various courses in accounting and business.
Most bachelor's degree programs comprise 120 credits. Candidates can obtain additional credits by joining a graduate certificate, master's, or bachelor's-to-master's program.
Concentrations, Credits, and Course Acceptance
CPA New Hampshire exam candidates must meet education requirements before sitting for the exam. The following list covers these requirements:
- A bachelor's degree from an accredited university with at least 120 credits of education
- Including 30 credits in accounting
- Topics must include financial accounting, managerial accounting, auditing, and taxation
- 24 credits in business
- These courses should not be considered accounting courses
CPA candidates can also choose programs such as finance, taxation, or forensic accounting to meet the accounting and business course requirements. Individuals who pass the CPA exam must earn 30 additional credits to receive CPA licensure.
A candidate's courses must come from an accredited institution to count toward the CPA education requirement. Accredited institutions include community colleges, two-year institutions, and online programs. Professional training and chartered accountant program credits do not qualify for the education requirements.
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New Hampshire Experience Requirements
New Hampshire CPA requirements stipulate that you do not need experience to take the CPA exam but must complete one year of professional work to qualify. New Hampshire considers public accounting, government roles, and relevant full-time or part-time employment as work experience.
An active CPA, or an equivalent as determined by the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA), must verify a candidate's work experience. Full-time employees must have at least 1,500 hours of accounting or audit work annually, while part-time professionals must have at least 2,080 hours annually, with at least 1,500 in accounting or audit work.
A candidate's past five years of work experience can qualify if applying under the one-year work requirement. Candidates who apply under the two-year work experience requirement can use experience from the last six years.
- CPA license candidates must have
- One year of work experience
- In public accounting, government, or industry roles
- At least 1,500 hours annually in accounting or auditing work
- Verified by a CPA
CPA Exam Requirements
All CPA candidates need to pass the Uniform CPA Exam. Examinees take the same exam nationwide, but the requirements to sit for the exam differ by state. The sections below focus on how to become a CPA in New Hampshire.
Eligibility to Take the Exam
CPA exam applicants need to complete 120 credits of education and relevant courses at the time of application. They do not need to complete any work experience or ethics exams to sit for the CPA exam.
New Hampshire CPA requirements do not cover age, citizenship, or residency. However, the New Hampshire Board of Accountancy requires each candidate to have a valid Social Security number.
International accounting professionals with a CPA equivalent license can apply for reciprocity in New Hampshire. Reciprocity candidates can apply for CPA licenses if they meet the state's experience and education requirements. Individuals seeking reciprocity must obtain verification through NASBA for any work experience from abroad.
Applying for and Scheduling the Exam
Prospective CPA examinees can apply to take the test through NASBA's online portal. Candidates can submit their transcripts before or after applying to the Uniform CPA Exam. Transcripts are kept on file for one year if they are received before the CPA application. Individuals who take longer than one year will need to resubmit their transcripts. NASBA requires official transcripts directly from institutions through the mail or electronically.
CPA candidates must pass all four sections of the CPA exam within a rolling 18-month period starting on the date they passed the first section. Applicants who submit their first application will be prompted to pay a first-time registration fee and exam fee of $245 and $238.15, respectively.
Candidates who have already paid the first-time registration fee are considered re-exam applicants. A re-exam applicant's registration fee is $160, and the exam fee remains unchanged. Examinees can apply to take more than one exam, however, they are encouraged to only apply for exams that can be completed within six months.
Applicants who qualify will receive a notice to schedule (NTS). The NTS allows them to schedule a time and date for their exam within six months of receipt.
After Passing the Exam
CPA examinees who pass the exam and meet the education and experience requirements can apply for licensure. Applicants can apply online through NASBA's online portal and pay a $150 fee. Candidates wait up to two weeks after submission for NASBA to process their applications.
You can request license verification through the New Hampshire Board of Accountancy, which includes a 10$ fee.
Maintaining Licensure
CPAs in New Hampshire must renew their licenses within two years of their initial licensure date. Licensees can submit their applications online and will receive an email reminder 60 days and within 15 days before the renewal due date.
Active CPAs must complete 40 hours of continuing professional education (CPE) courses CPE per year, with at least four hours of ethics courses every three years. The New Hampshire Board of Accountancy provides a form to track CPEs.
CPAs from any state can own a portion of a CPA firm in New Hampshire. A majority of a CPA firm's equity and voting interest must be held by CPAs from any state. Non-CPAs can hold a minority share in New Hampshire CPA firms.
CPAs from other states who wish to obtain CPA licensure in New Hampshire must meet the same experience and education requirements as local applicants. Applicants can apply through the NASBA portal and pay a $150 reciprocal application fee.
Questions About CPAs in New Hampshire
What do you need to be a CPA in NH?
Individuals seeking CPA licensure in New Hampshire must pass the Uniform CPA Exam, possess one year of experience, and have completed at least 150 credits of education.
Who can take the CPA licensure exam in New Hampshire?
A CPA exam candidate in New Hampshire must have a bachelor's degree comprising at least 120 credits. Within their degree, they need to have completed 30 credits of accounting coursework and 24 credits of business courses.
How long does it take in New Hampshire to become a CPA?
Candidates must fulfill exam, education, and experience criteria to earn licensure. In total, it typically takes four years to earn a bachelor's degree, 1-2 years to earn the additional necessary credits, and one year of professional experience to become a CPA in New Hampshire.
Is getting a CPA license in New Hampshire hard?
New Hampshire CPA requirements align with most other states. It is no more difficult in New Hampshire than elsewhere in the country.
What experience do you need for a CPA license in NH?
CPA licensees in New Hampshire must have one year of working experience. Work experience can occur on a part-time or full-time basis but must include at least 1,500 hours of annual work in accounting or auditing.
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