Rhode Island CPA Exam & License Requirements [2024]

Learn The 7 Simple Steps to Qualifying To Become A Licensed CPA in Rhode Island:

If you would like a more detailed checklist to make this process even easier, please download your Free CPA Exam Application Checklist PDF below:

Rhode Island Requirements Overview:

Rhode Island's (RI) CPA exam requirements are very specific relating to accounting and business courses that are required to be taken prior to sitting for the exam. You should also note that it is a requirement that you be a resident of RI.

Follow each caption below to ensure that you are qualified to sit for the exam.

Disclosure: Please note that I do my best to keep these requirements up to date but seeing as there are more than 50 states and nations with individual requirements it is difficult for me to keep up with them all. Please verify each requirement with your state board of accountancy to ensure 100% accuracy! 

 

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Education Requirements

What are the education requirements in Rhode Island?

150 Hours Requirement

RI does not require 150 hours to sit for the CPA exam but does require 150 to obtain your license.

NOTE: A candidate not meeting the 150 hours may sit having completed 120 semester hours or having met one of the conditions under the 150 hour requirement.

Accounting Course Requirements

RI gives you three different options. You need to obtain at least your Bachelor degree or above and fulfilled at least 120 credit hours and meet one of the following:

(a) Graduate degree with concentration in Accounting:

• Not less than 21 semester hours in accounting and not less than:
• 6 hours in both fundamental accounting
• 6 hours in intermediate financial accounting and reporting
• 3 hours of advanced financial accounting and reporting
• 3 hours of tax accounting
• 3 hours of auditing

(b) Graduate degree with concentration in business:

• Not less than 24 semester hours in accounting and not less than:
• 6 hours in both fundamental accounting
• 6 hours in intermediate financial accounting and reporting
• 3 hours of advanced financial accounting and reporting
• 3 hours of tax accounting
• 3 hours of auditing

(c) Undergraduate degree

• 24 semester hours of accounting and no less than:
  • 6 hours in fundamental accounting
  • 6 hours in intermediate financial accounting and reporting
  • 3 hours in advanced financial accounting and reporting
  • 3 hours in tax accounting and auditing
• 24 semester hours of business and no less than:
  • 3 hours in business law
  • 3 hours in economics

Business Course Requirements

Refer to the requirements above for RI

Business Law Requirements

Refer to the requirements above regarding business law.

Ethics Exam

Required to take AICPA Ethics Exam within 2 years of applying for the certification application.

Age & Residency Requirements

What are the age and residency requirements in Rhode Island?

US Citizenship Requirement

You are NOT Required for Rhode Island to be US Citizen to sit for the CPA exam 

Residency Requirement

You are required to be a Rhode Island resident , employee, OR have an office in the state before you can take the CPA exam. 

Minimum Age to Sit for the CPA Exam

Rhode Island does not have a minimum age requirement to sit for the CPA exam 

Rhode Island CPA Exam Fees

How much does it cost to take the CPA exam in Rhode Island?

Rhode Island has fairly standard exam fee rates. If you need to re-take a part there is a varying re-application fee that you will have to pay.

Initial Application Fee:	$100
Audit:	$195.35
Financial:	$195.35
Regulation:	$176.25
Business:	$176.25
Total:	$843.20
Special Fees:	Re-exam registration fee (varying amounts based on number of parts)

Already Passed The CPA Exam in Rhode Island? Here Are The CPA License Requirements

To obtain your CPA license RI requires:

Education: 
- Obtain 150 credit hours from any regional accredited educational institution

Work Experience:
- 1 year of public or non-public accounting experience supervised and verified by an actively licensed United States CPA

Rhode Island State Board Contact Info

Rhode Island Board of Accountancy
233 Richmond Street, Suite 236
Providence, RI 02903-4236

Web: www.dbr.state.ri.us/divisions/accountancy/
Phone: 401-222-3185
Fax: 401-222-6654 
Email: boa@dbr.state.ri.us

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