New Jersey State Board of Accountancy

Training and Exam Questions

1. Do I qualify to sit for the certified public accountant's (C.P.A.) exam? How do I find out if my college is accredited?

   • Completed a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution, AND

   • Completed at least 150 semester hours of general college level credit, AND

   • Completed at least 24 semester hours in accounting courses, AND

   • Completed at least 24 semester hours in general business courses

   Transcripts must be sent directly to NASBA at etranscript@nasba.org for its review regarding exam eligibility and to determine if you have met the NJ educational requirements for licensure. Do not submit transcripts directly to the NJ Board office.

   For additional information you may contact The National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) CPA Examination Services Department at 1-800-CPA- EXAM (1-866-350-0017) or www.nasba.org.

2. I just passed the last part of the C.P.A. exam. When will I get a license application??

   Applications to apply for initial CPA licensure are online at: https://newjersey.mylicense.com/eGov/Login

   • If you currently hold an active license in another state, apply by Endorsement
   • If you sat for the exam in another state, but do did not obtain licensure in that state, apply by Transfer of Grades
   • If you sat for the exam in NJ, apply by Examination.
     
     

   All instructions for licensure are included in the online application process. Be advised that you MUST pay the $75 application fee in order to submit your application. If the fee is not paid your application will remain in "pending" status when you log into your account however Board staff will not receive the application until you submit the $75 application fee.
   

3. I am unable to get my previous employer(s) to complete a Statement of Experience. What should I do??

   One year of intensive and diversified experience in the practice of public accounting or its equivalent under the supervision of a Board licensee or an individual who is entitled to practice as a certified public accountant in this State as provided in N.J.A.C.13:29-4. Experience shall be obtained in full-time regular employment based on a minimum of 1,750 hours per year. Part-time experience shall be considered equivalent if acquired within two consecutive years and in no less than the same amount of hours required for full-time experience. Experience shall be considered intensive and diversified if experience is acquired in the areas of auditing or accounting.

4. Will the Board contact me with updates on the progress of my application?

   No. You must contact the Board's office by emailing accountancy@ dca.njoag.gov  to request your application status. You must include the full name on your application. You may visit: https://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/accold/Pages/Phases-and-Timelines.aspx for information regarding the average Phases and Timelines of an application for licensure.

Licensing Questions

1. How do I register my C.P.A. firm with the Board?

   Applications to register a firm are located on the Board’s website www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/acc under the “Applications and Forms” tab. Applications should be emailed to the Board office at accountancy@dca.njoag.gov . Once staff receives and processes the application, you will receive an email regarding how to submit the required fees.

2. How do I reinstate/reactivate my license?

   To Reinstate an inactive or expired license, you must upload an application to reinstate your license directly to https://newjersey.mylicense.com/eGov/Login  The upload must include the application and certificates for all 120 CPEs as one PDF document. If the license has been expired for more than 1 triennial period then the CPEs submitted to reinstate may not be any older than 3 years. Once reviewed, you will be instructed how to submit payment. Applications to reinstatement may be found at: Application-for-Reinstatement-Reactivation-of-Licensure.pdf (njconsumeraffairs.gov) You must name the file YOUR FULL NAME_REINSTATEMENT APPLICATION

3. Must I be a citizen of the United States to be eligible for licensure?

   No. New Jersey State law allows for all individuals, regardless of citizenship status, to obtain a professional or occupational license in New Jersey if all requirements for licensure are met. You must email the Board office at accountancy@dca.njoag.gov to request the Division Issued Identification Number (DIIN) Form. Staff will then process and issue you a DIIN so that you may complete the online application process.
   

Continuing Education Questions

1. What are the continuing professional education (C.P.E.) requirements for certified public accountants? How about for registered municipal accountants?

   Licensees must accrue a total of 120 CPEs within a triennial period, with a minimum of 20 CPEs accrued each year of the triennial period. 4 of these credits must be from an approved NJ Law and Ethics provider. A list of approved NJ Law and Ethics providers is on the Board's website www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/acc under the "Continuing Education" Tab. New Jersey CPAs should refer to the following regulations: N.J.A.C.13:29, subchapter 6 for additional information regarding the Board's CPE requirements. The Board's regulations may be found at www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/acc under the "Laws and Regulations" tab.

2. I just received my C.P.A. license. When am I required to start taking C.P.E. units?

   For newly licensed individuals you only need to take the specific NJ Law and Ethics from a Board approved NJ Law and Ethics provider. A list of approved NJ Law and Ethics providers is on the Board's website www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/acc under the "Continuing Education" Tab.

3. How do I know if a C.P.E. provider is acceptable to the Board?

   You may refer to the Board's regulations regarding Board accepted CPE providers. The Board's regulations may be found at www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/acc under the "Laws and Regulations" tab and refer to N.J.A.C 13:29-6.2 CREDIT REQUIREMENTS.

General Questions

1. How do I update my address or report a name change?

   You must upload the name change document to your mylicensenj egov account by logging into https://newjersey.mylicense.com/eGov/Login

   Licensees must also change both the mailing and public address of record through their mylicensenj egov account.

   If after updated you require an updated copy of the license you must email the Board office at accountancy@dca.njoag.gov you must include the license number in the email. There is a $25 fee for a duplicate copy of the license that staff will invoice you once you request through email.
   

2. I'm applying for CPA Licensure in another State, how do I request a Letter of Good Standing or Official Verification of Licensure?

   You must email the NJ Board office at accountancy@dca.njoag.gov to request. If the other state in which you are seeking licensure requires the information on its own form you must attach as a pdf document. You must also include the mailing or email address for the other state in which you are seeking licensure so that Board staff may submit directly to that jurisdiction.
   

3. How do I file a complaint against a Board licensed CPA or Registered CPA Firm?

   You must email the Board office staff at accountancy@dca.njoag.gov to request a complaint form and instructions regarding how to formally submit your complaint. You must include the full name of the CPA licensee in your email and license number if applicable.
   

4. I received my license in the mail, but when will I receive the Wall Certificate that I may frame and hang in my office?

   Wall Certificates are printed and mailed on a quarterly basis.
   

5. How do I upload a document?

   You may upload a licensure document by logging into your MyLicensenj egov account https://newjersey.mylicense.com/eGov/Login. Once logged in, you must click the "upload licensure document" link on the left side of the screen.
   

6. Is there a different account for my individual CPA license vs. my CPA firm?

   Yes, your CPA license and firm registration must be set up as two different MyLicensenj egov accounts.
   

Renewal Related Questions

1. My license is due for renewal this year, how do I renew?

   Renewal notifications will be mailed approximately 60 days prior to the expiration date printed on the license. Once received you should follow the directions to process the online renewal. If it is within 30 days of the license expiring and you have yet to receive a renewal notice in the mail, you must email accountancy@dca.njoag.gov so that staff may email you the notice and alert you to the need to update your address, if applicable.
   

2. What if I don’t have the minimum of 120 Continuing Professional Education (CPEs) Credits by the end of the triennial period?

   You must email the Board office at accountancy@dca.njoag.gov with a narrative detailing why you were unable to meet the CPE requirement. You should also include documentation supporting your written request.
   

3. I’m retiring at the end of the Triennial Period, how do I change the status of my license?

   When the online renewal portal opens, you must log into your account and change the status to “inactive.”
   

4. I received my CPA license in the current triennial and this is my first time renewing, what are my CPE requirements?

   If this is your first time renewing, you only needed to complete the 4 credit NJ Law and Ethics course. Once the new triennial period starts, you must start accruing the total 120 CPEs with a minimum of 20 CPEs per triennial year. NOTE: the NJ Law and Ethics course must be re-taken by all licensees each triennial period.