The New Hampshire Board of Accountancy covers all licensure requirements in New Hampshire. The board requires all aspiring Certified Public Accountants to go through a specific process to get their CPA license.

The steps for obtaining the license are similar to other states. However, the requirements within each step may change according to a state’s accountancy board.

How to become a CPA in New Hampshire?

Like any other state, aspiring CPAs in New Hampshire must obtain formal education first. This education must be in accountancy and related subjects.

Once they do so, candidates must take and pass each section of the Uniform CPA Exam in New Hampshire.

Lastly, they must meet the experience requirements set by the New Hampshire Board of Accountancy.

The requirements for each process are different in New Hampshire, as the board dictates. Once candidates undergo all these procedures, they can apply for their New Hampshire CPA license.

Educational Requirements

Candidates in New Hampshire must begin by obtaining formal education. This education must meet all the New Hampshire Board of Accountancy requirements.

Through this process, they can gain the relevant knowledge necessary to pass the Uniform CPA Exam. Similarly, it can help them when they are working in a professional environment.

The New Hampshire Board of Accountancy has the following requirements for candidates going through this step.

Candidates must enroll, be enrolled, or have graduated from an accredited university’s accounting program. All candidates must ensure the board will accept their credit hours. Similarly, the accreditation must come from an approved organization.
Candidates must obtain at least a bachelor’s degree and 150 semester hours of college credit. These must include the following.
- 30 semester hours in accounting courses. It must include the following:
  - Auditing
  - Financial Accounting
  - Management Accounting
  - Taxation
- 24 semester hours in business elective courses other than account. It may consist of the following.
  - Business information systems
  - Business law
  - Business organizations
  - Economics
  - Finance
  - Professional ethics
The board accepts CPA review courses given that candidates take them through an accredited program. Similarly, they must have received credit for them.
The board also accepts CLEP, distance learning, and online courses. However, candidates must have taken them through an accredited program. Similarly, candidates must have received credit for them.
The board does not accept credit hours earned towards a Chartered Accountant credential or from the Institute of Chartered Accountants.

Uniform CPA Exam

The next step is for candidates to take each section of the Uniform CPA Exam and pass them. Candidates who have completed at least 120 semester hours of college credit from 15o hours can apply.

However, they must have completed the following.

30 semester hours of credit in accounting courses.
24 semester hours of credit in business courses.
A bachelor’s degree.

Once candidates meet these requirements, they can apply for the Uniform CPA Exam. They must go through the following process to take pass the exam.

Candidates must apply online through CPA Examination Services (CPAES). They must also submit the following documents with their application.
- Official college transcripts which show the semester hours of credit they have completed. It must also certify the receipt of a bachelor’s degree.
- An official International Evaluation is for candidates who have acquired education from outside the US.
- ADA Accommodation forms if necessary.
Once candidates submit their education, they will have to wait to receive a notification to schedule. It will come from the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA).
Once they get the notification, they must schedule their exam through Prometric in one of the two approved locations.

Experience Requirements

Candidates can’t get their New Hampshire CPA license by passing the exam only. They must also fulfill the experience requirements set by the New Hampshire Board of Accountancy. These include the following.

Candidates fulfill one year of paid public or governmental experience requirements. They must also have a supervising CPA to verify this experience.
Candidates must include a combination of the following competencies within their work experience.
- Audit procedures
- Auditing, reviewing, and reporting financial statements
- Consulting services
- Financial advisory services
- Management advisory services
- Preparing tax returns
- Providing tax advice (tax matters and tax returns)
They must choose a licensed, certified CPA from an approved jurisdiction.
They must provide the Experience verification form to the verifying CPA.
They must enclose a copy of their driver’s license and passport that shows their photo and signature.

Summary

Given below is a summary of how to become a CPA in New Hampshire.

Candidates must enroll in an accounting program with an accredited university or college. They must also fulfill the educational requirements set by the New Hampshire Board of Accountancy.
They must then take and pass each section of the Uniform CPA Exam.
Then, they must meet the experience requirements set by the board.
Lastly, they can apply for the New Hampshire CPA license.

References

“New Hampshire Board of Accountancy” – https://www.oplc.nh.gov/accountancy/index.htm
“Application Forms” – https://www.oplc.nh.gov/accountancy/forms.htm
“New Hampshire | NASBA” – https://nasba.org/exams/cpaexam/newhampshire/