CPA Exam Information and Review Course

Jennifer Johnson leads a CPA exam review course.

Get the tools you need to sit for the Texas CPA exam.

The Master of Science in Accounting program is designed to give students the tools they will need to sit for the Texas CPA exam, provided they meet the requirements stipulated by the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy (TSBPA). Please note that the TSBPA makes the final determination of courses that count toward CPA exam eligibility, so check with the TSBPA for updated rules and to confirm your eligibility through the Application of Intent process. For more information, please review the CPA Exam FAQ, attend CPA info sessions hosted by the MS in Accounting program, as well as make individual CPA advising appointments with the MS in Accounting team to best plan your courses according to your educational background.

In addition to offering the courses needed to complete the educational requirements for the exam, this program offers CPA review courses and access to the Jindal School of Management’s Career Management Center, which will help students find opportunities to complete the work experience required to obtain the CPA license.

Download the Educational Requirements For Testing and License
CPA Exam Qualification FAQ

Anyone who wishes to become a CPA licensed in the state of Texas must follow the process and requirements outlined by the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy (TSBPA). The process to become a CPA is generally divided into two parts:

  1. Requirements to take the CPA exam.
  2. Requirement to obtain a CPA License.

The table below gives a brief overview of the requirements. The rules and process are subject to change. You should always review the most current rules provided on the TSBPA’s website at: https://www.tsbpa.texas.gov/

Overview
  Requirements to take the CPA Exam Requirements to get a CPA License
Educational
  • Bachelor’s Degree
  • 120 Hours of College Credit Includes the following:
  • 21 Cr. Hours of upper-level accounting as follows:
    • 3 Cr. Hours Financial Accounting
    • 3 Cr. Hours Financial Auditing
    • 3 Cr. Hours Taxation
    • 3 Cr Hours Accounting Information Systems or Accounting Data Analytics
    • 9 Cr. Hours of Category of other approved upper-level accounting classes
  • 24 Cr. Hours of Upper-Level Business courses
  • 2 Cr Hours of Accounting or Business communication
All the requirements to test plus:
  • 150 college hours (120 to test + 30 additional hours to license)
  • 6 additional hours of accounting
  • 3 hours of approved Accounting Ethics
  • 2 hours of approved accounting research
Work Experience   Complete 1 year of work experience as outlined by the TSBPA
Other Items
  • Have an approved Application of Intent
  • Complete the fingerprinting process
  • Complete the CPA Exam Eligibility Application
  • Pass all 4 parts of the CPA Exam
  • Complete the required forms for licensure

See this page for more details on the educational requirements:
https://accounting.utdallas.edu/program-resources/cpa-exam-information-review-course/exam-education-qualifications/