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US CPA Exam for Filipinos: Complete Guide to Get Your License
This page is dedicated to Filipino accountants who want to obtain a US CPA license. More specifically, you might find this post helpful if you are in one of the following situations:
- I am an American CPA looking for job opportunities in the Philippines.
- I am a Filipino looking for help in passing the CPA Board Exam in the Philippines.
US CPA Exam for Filipinos: An Introduction
Are you one of the Philippine-licensed CPAs who aspire to work abroad as a CPA but can’t use your local license in other countries?
While it is frustrating that Filipino CPAs don’t have reciprocal recognition from the United States, getting a US CPA license is still a rewarding and achievable goal.
You Are Smart!
I would like to congratulate you on passing the CPA Board Exam in the Philippines. I heard it is one of the most difficult professional exams in your country. The passing rate is typically less than 50%, and that’s similar to the US CPA Exam pass rates.
Why the US CPA?
My CPA exam site gets a lot of traffic from the Philippines, so I bet many of you are seriously thinking about the US CPA. If you…
- work in the Big 4 with the aspiration to transfer to different countries;
- work in multi-national companies, especially the ones headquartered in the US; and
- plan to work abroad someday…
… then the US CPA qualification is useful.
Basic Requirements for the CPA Exam
To get the US CPA license, all candidates need to fulfill the “3Es” of Education, Exam, and Experience. Generally speaking, you need to:
- Obtain a 4-year bachelor’s degree AND accumulate 150 credit hours (that’s roughly equal to bachelor’s and master’s degrees OR a bachelor’s degree with additional coursework).
- Pass the 4 parts of the CPA exam within 18 months.
- Get your relevant experience properly verified.
Detailed Steps to Become a US CPA
1. Determine Your Eligibility
In the US, a typical accounting student goes through 4 years of university (or what is commonly known as “college”) plus one year of a Master’s degree in accounting. One year of studying generally equals 30 credit hours, so a 4-year and 5-year degree roughly translates to 120 and 150 credit hours, respectively.
The good news is that the Philippines has the same type of 4-year bachelor’s programs as the US. Since you have to go through additional years for an accounting master’s degree, fulfilling the 150 hours of credit should not be an issue for you.
2. Pick a State and Register for the CPA Exam
Since the US CPA license is granted by individual states instead of a centralized agency, you have to choose a state board before registering for the exam.
Each state has slightly different rules but you can find a summary of the exam requirements by state here. I have also written an article on the popular states favored by international candidates for your reference.
3. Send Transcripts to Evaluation Agencies
Once you have chosen a State Board, the next step is to send your transcripts to a “foreign credential evaluation agency.”
Note: If you get part or all the educational credits from a US school, then for this part of the education requirement, you don’t need to go through an evaluation agency. But you’ll need to ask this US school to send your transcript directly to the State Board. Please refer to the instruction on the CPA Exam application form.
4. Get Approved for the CPA Exam
Once you are approved to sit for the exam, you will receive a Notice To Schedule (NTS) that will allow you to schedule your exam at exam sites known as Prometric Centers.
You will have to fly to a US jurisdiction for the exam at a Prometric Center. But since Guam is so close, I don’t think this should be an issue for you.
5. Study for the CPA Exam
In terms of passing the CPA Exam, it is often the easiest step for international candidates. At least it is something within your control. If you need help, I’d suggest that you take a review course from one of these top 10 CPA review courses.
Once you complete the 4 parts of the exam, most states require that you pass an ethics exam, too, but this is much easier in comparison to the rest of the CPA Exam.
6. Fulfill the CPA Experience Requirements
Most states require 1 to 2 years of experience before you can obtain the CPA license. The challenge is that the State Boards only recognize “relevant” experience that is “properly verified.” I have a full post on the CPA experience requirements since they are a little tricky.
Some states only recognize public accounting, such as auditing or related work in a CPA firm. If you work in a corporate setting or for a non-profit organization or non-US government agency, your experience cannot be counted.
IMPORTANT: When you pick a state to get qualified for the exam, this is an important consideration.
7. Verify Your Experience
All experience will have to be verified by a US CPA who keeps his/her license active during the time you work(ed) for him/her.
Most states require that this person be your direct supervisor. Some states allow your supervisor to have a CPA license “or equivalent,” which usually means a Canadian CA or Australian CA. But for the exact definition of this equivalency, you will have to check with your State Board.
If you have previous working experience in the Philippines, unless you worked under a US CPA (or for some states, CAs from the “reciprocal countries” like Canada and Australia), your experience cannot be counted. I know it is frustrating, but it’s an important note to remember.
FAQs about the US CPA Exam for Filipinos
I’m Filipino. How do I become a U.S. CPA Licensee even if I am not a US Citizen?
Most states allow non-US residents/citizens to apply for the CPA Exam and license. Please go to this page for more info on the application procedure.
Which credential evaluator should I use?
The State Board of Accountancy in your chosen state should indicate what evaluators you can use. Some allow you to choose any evaluator that is a member of the evaluators’ association (such as NACES), while others only recognize one. Please double-check the list in the application form for details.
How many credit hours do you think I can get for my university courses?
It depends on the subjects you have taken at the university. To qualify to sit for the CPA Exam, you will have to make some commitments and pay evaluators for a professional evaluation. It costs about $150 to $200.
Express services can be available but will cost much more. Some states offer pre-evaluation services that will indicate what courses you lack. I think it is a good idea to get a professional evaluation if you aren’t sure whether you can get qualified for the CPA Exam in a certain state.
Which state should I apply through for my CPA Exam and CPA license?
You can apply to any state, as long as you meet that state’s education, experience, and residency requirements. It is also wise to pick a state with more flexible working experience requirements.
Illinois is the most favorable state for me in terms of the CPA requirements, but I want to take the exam in Guam. What should I do?
You are allowed to take the exam in a state that is not your registered state. For example, if you register through the Illinois state board but want to sit for the exam in Guam, it’s totally fine.
I Am Confused about the CPA Exam in the Philippines…Can You Help Me?
If you are serious about taking the US CPA exam, I welcome you to join our community by signing up for my free mini-course. You will get the basics on the CPA Exam application, the registration procedure, and what to do (and not to do) during the process:
Enter your name and email address and
I will send you the newsletter right away!
About the Author Stephanie Ng
I am the author of How to Pass The CPA Exam (published by Wiley), and I also passed all 4 sections of the CPA Exam on my first try. Additionally, I have led webinars, such as for the Institute of Management Accountants, authored featured articles on websites like Going Concern and AccountingWeb, and I'm also the CFO for the charity New Sight. Finally, I have created other accounting certification websites to help mentor non-CPA candidates. I have already mentored thousands of CPA, CMA, CIA, EA, and CFA candidates, and I can help you too!
