[Anonymous]

I don’t feel like bothering friends or co-workers with these questions (mostly because I feel dumb for being so anxious about them) so I will ask you guys. I just passed my final section of the exam and I live in Texas. What comes next? I know I need 3 hours of ethics CPE, to pay TSBPA a fee, submit my work experience info (I have the experience) and take the ethics test but I’m more curious about the time-frame. When should I expect what? How long until I have a license number and can actually call myself a CPA? Should I start looking for the CPE course now?

Thanks in advance!

[Anonymous]

You have to have an actual 3 hour Ethics course, not just CPE Credits.

Here is the link to the approved Ethics Courses that they'll accept.

https://www.tsbpa.state.tx.us/exam-qualification/education-ethics-courses.html

[Anonymous]

You will get an application package in the mail soon. I received mine within a few days of score release for my final exam.

The “application for issuance” of the license is very basic. They just want you to confirm, correct, or update any of your contact info, education, criminal history, etc.

You also have to download an oath of office form from the TSBPA website, sign it, and have it notarized.

You need a check or money order for the $50 application fee, and you need to submit the work experience form and supporting documents (statement of your CPA supervisor's work history and a copy of your job description(s)).

You need proof of completion of an approved ethics course.

If you did not get fingerprinted when you submitted your application of intent to take the exam, you need to get fingerprinted. There are instructions for this process on the TSBPA website.

Once you send in all of this (and I recommend certified mail so you have a record of receipt), you will get an email from your assigned contact at the board that will include a copy of relevant sections of the Rules of Professional Conduct, as well as the Rules of Professional Conduct exam. You have 48 hours to complete and return the exam booklet, your answer sheet, and any comments you have about particular questions on the exam (the instructions will explain all of this).

Then, you sit back and wait. TSBPA received my application package on May 12. I received my email with the Rules of Professional Conduct Exam on May 18, along with a request for more detail from my supervisor regarding his work history (which I returned within an hour or two). I returned the exam on May 20. I have not heard anything since then, nor has my online status been updated. I don't know if this means I failed the exam and they are waiting the mandatory two weeks before sending me another one or if they're just really slow right now. I do know firm license renewals are this month, and they are preparing for the first swearing in ceremony, which is this weekend, so they may be strapped for time. I also figure since school just ended, there are probably a lot of new graduates sending in applications of intent right now so they can get started on the exam. I'm trying to be patient.

[Shel_178]

I would say that it's about a month-month and a half from the time that you send your package (including your completed ethics exam) back to the TSBPA until you actually receive your congratulatory letter and card with your license #. This is assuming that you pass the ethics exam on the first go and that all of your information on your application package is complete. I also must have just missed the fingerprint requirement so I can't tell you if that might change your timeline at all. I would also keep in touch your assigned Qualifications Team member since they can update you on the status of your application and give you a heads up before you get anything in the mail.

REG - 86
FAR - 80
BEC - 79
AUD - 92...I'm done woohoo!

Licensed CPA since Feb. 2014

[Anonymous]

The fingerprint requirement went into effect August 2014. Prior to that, I think you only had to be fingerprinted if there was something weird about your general background check and the board specifically requested that you submit fingerprints for a more thorough check (e.g. two people with your name and one has a criminal history, so they need to make sure which one you are).

Since August 2014, you will not be issued a license without fingerprints. And for future TX candidates, this is something you can do before you get your application package. I did mine right after taking my final exam, but you can do it even earlier than that to avoid any delays in getting your license. You just need to make sure you follow TSBPA's process because the results from your prints are sent directly from DPS to the qualifying agency. TSBPA has a form online that will route everything properly, so make sure you print it out and take it with you when you go to your fingerprinting appointment. Otherwise, DPS will simply retain your prints for their database, and TSBPA will never know you actually had it done.

[Anonymous]

I know I have the required ethics course. I checked that when I applied to sit and have checked the course I took in school again since then. I originally applied in 2012 so I guess I'll have to get fingerprinted. Thanks for all the info!

[Anonymous]

To clarify about the ethics course, for others who may be reading this and are confused, there is the college course you have to take to qualify for the exam (which is what the link above refers to), and there is the professional ethics course (which is a CPE course) that you have to take to get your license (you can take this before you finish the exam, but I think it's only valid for a year). You can do that one online or in person. There is an “exam” for it, but I think it is just a pass/fail kind of thing where you won't get your certificate of completion if you fail it. My online course did not give me an actual grade. It just told me I passed and emailed me a certificate.

There is also the Rules of Professional Conduct exam, which is a totally different thing. People call this an “ethics exam,” but it's not. It covers rules about who is required to have a firm license, who is permitted to use the term “CPA” in their business name, responding to Board notices, CPE requirements, etc. These are all rules that pertain strictly to the CPA section of the Texas Administrative Code and is more regulatory in nature. It is not an AICPA or TSCPA ethics exam.

[Anonymous]

Thanks CaseyTX , as I was confused on that. I wasn't aware of the Ethics CPE, I only know you had to take an Ethics exam (if that makes sense).

[Author]

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