[JohnWayneIsGod]

I finished my degree as part of a career change a little more than half a year ago, and am now studying for the CPA after leaving a job that didn’t work out. The complicating factor is that my wife now wants to move to a different state where I don’t meet the educational requirements to that state’s exam. In fact, I estimate that I’m at least 7 classes short since they only consider upper-division course work. As my wife has sacrificed so much already, I’m entertaining the idea of moving and getting my current state’s license as a non-resident, and then applying for reciprocity.

Has anyone done this before, or known anyone who has done it? Does it even sound possible? I’d hate to for my wife to be unhappy when it’s not necessary, but I’d also hate to have an unwelcome surprise later on down the road.

FAR - 80

Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway.

-John Wayne

[Tuffy11111]

” I'm entertaining the idea of moving and getting my current state's license as a non-resident, and then applying for reciprocity.”

I think you're ok here. At my undergrad school, they used to make the MAcc students sit for the exam in another state because it had looser requirements to sit. You can always call your state board of accountancy. I've called mine several times with dumb questions and they were happy to answer.

BEC - 83 7/25
REG - 76 5/2/15
AUD - Hopefully before MY Audit...7/5?
FAR - 83 5/2/16

[Anonymous]

Which state are you moving too? Every state has different requirements for reciprocity. Unfortunately, the state I am in (California) does not which is why I am getting licensed here right off the bat.

Still, I would research and make sure just to be safe.

[fuzyfro89]

Every state has unique rules regarding getting licensed in that state, transferring a license elsewhere, and the (new) state may also have some unique things going on as well.

CALL THE DAMN STATE BOARDS! You don't want to ASSUME anything and find out later you were mistaken. Get it all down so you know what's going on.

For the record, until you are a partner or controller, your employer probably doesn't really care which state you are licensed in… so long as you are not directly doing anything where you need an active license in that jurisdiction (e.g. signing tax returns). In order to be on an audit project, you don't need a CPA license. The partner does, but you do not. Just don't misrepresent yourself.

Look into the field(s) that you work within or may work in the future and consider that as well.

Good luck with the move.

[Author]

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