The AICPA Uniform CPA exam is known to be extremely challenging. However, each state also has its own set of CPA requirements that must be met before you can qualify to write for their board. In order to clarify this process for you, we have compiled a detailed outline the Alaska Board of Public Accountancy’s CPA licensing requirements. This should prove helpful if you are planning to either take the CPA exam, transfer your existing credits or CPA license to Alaska, or to renew your Alaska CPA license.

As these requirements are subject to change, especially in light of the planned 2024 exam changes, we recommended confirming all information with the Alaska Board of Public Accountancy to make sure you qualify, and to verify that the charges have not been updated since this piece was published.

Age

Alaska CPA applicants must be at least 19 years old.

Residency

Alaska has no residency requirements.

Citizenship

There are no US citizenship requirements, but US residents will need a social security number to sit for the CPA exam.

Education

Alaska has a requirement of a Bachelor’s or higher degree from a college or university that is acceptable to the board. These comprise of either the University of Alaska or a college or university accredited by a regional accrediting association that is recognized by the University of Alaska. You must also meet the 150-semester hour credit requirement in order to apply for their license. This does not necessarily entail an Accountancy degree. Advanced degrees are not accepted in place of a Bachelor’s degree. There are four possible educational paths that applicants can take:

  • Degree and Accounting Concentration which includes:
    • 24 semester credit hours or 36 quarter credit hours of accounting subjects
    • 9 semester credit hours or 15 quarter credit hours of business law, economics, and either:
      • Statistics
      • Computer science, or
      • Algebra, calculus, or mathematics
  • Degree and Qualifying Experience which includes:
    • Having a minimum of 15 semester credit hours or 22 quarter credit hours of accounting subjects
    • Having met or is within 18 semester credit hours or 27 quarter credit hours of meeting the undergraduate educational requirements

Non-recognized accreditation

Students who graduated from US-based institutions that were not accredited by these institutions can have their transcripts evaluated by one of the members of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES.) If approved, you will be able to take the CPA exam, provided that you also meet Alaska’s other requirements.

Foreign Educations

Accountants who graduated from international institutions may apply to have their transcripts evaluated by NASBA’s International Evaluation services (NIES) or another credentials evaluation service recognized by the University of Alaska. These evaluations must then be electronically posted by the service, in addition to an official, unopened copy being sent to them directly from the issuing institution to the Board. 

If an applicant cannot submit a transcript as required by this section, the board may accept as evidence of education:

  • Verification from the licensing authority of accountants in another jurisdiction
  • Verification from a governmental agency, employer, or association which:
    • previously required documentary evidence of education, or
    • directly verified education
  • Oral testimony and sworn statements of the applicant and other parties, and
  • Other documentary evidence

Work Experience

You will need one year’s worth of work experience before you can apply for your license, even after passing the exam. This equates to at least 2,000 hours of work that can be completed par-time over no more than four years preceding the application. Experience must include providing any type of service or advice involving the use of accounting, attest, compilation, management advisory, financial advisory, tax, or consulting skills and related training all of which were verified by a supervising certified public accountant with an active license at the time of supervision. The experience is acceptable if it is gained through employment in government, industry, academia, or public practice. Experience cannot include paid or unpaid leave or holidays.

Ethics

Alaska does require an Ethics exam. Both the exam and course materials are provided by AICPA. You will also need to take 4 credit hour ethics course every two years. However, this course cannot be done through the AICPA.

The board will waive passage of this course and examination if the applicant can provide proof of passing an ethics examination of another licensing jurisdiction that, is deemed to be substantially equivalent to that of the AICPA’s exam by the board.

Background Check

The Alaska Board of Public Accountancy outsources the processing of their CPA exam applications to NASBA’s CPA Examination Service. To apply, you will need to:

  • Create an account with CPA Central
  • Request that the Registrars of all of the colleges and universities that you attended send official copies of your transcripts directly to NASBA
  • Proof of completing the work experience requirement directly to NASBA, where applicable
  • Submit a transcript evaluation directly from the evaluation service directly to NASBA, where applicable
  • Apply for the exam online
  • Pay the relevant fees

Fees

Initial Application Fee$185.00
Auditing & Attestation (AUD)$226.15
Financial Accounting & Reporting (FAR)$226.15
Regulation (REG)$226.15
Business Environment & Concepts (BEC)$226.15
State exam fee (4x $90)$360.00
Total$1,449.60

CPA Certificate fee: $390.00

License application fee: $300

Fees are usually non-refundable, but it may be possible to claim a partial refund for license application fees under certain circumstances. Most exams can be rescheduled. 

How to Apply for an Alaska CPA License

The Alaska Board of Public Accountancy processes their own CPA license applications. To apply, you will need to:

  • Create an online account with the Board
  • Submit the application form
  • Pay the $200.00 application fee
  • Submit proof of fulfilling the one-year experience requirement, if you did not do so prior to sitting the CPA exam
  • Once accepted, pay the $300.00 license fee

Locations

Prometric Testing Centers in state

Practice Privilege for Out-of-State License Holders

A CPA who holds an out-of-state license recognized as substantially equivalent to that of Alaska’s may practice in Alaska provided that they fulfill the following requirements:

  • Holds a valid license to practice public accountancy in the other state
  • Has passed the AICPA Uniform CPA exam
  • Practices public accountancy in another state that is their principal place of business
  • Meets the licensing credit, exam and work requirements of the Alaska Board of Public Accountancy, as outlined above
  • Is a sole practitioner, otherwise they will need to practice under a legal entity that has a permit

They will then need to:

  • Apply for a written notice from the board
  • Pay the fee
  • Provide proof of current licensure by the issuing state

Reciprocal Application

Interstate Reciprocity

Alaska will consider interstate license reciprocity for an individual provided that they:

  • Have passed the AICPA Uniform CPA exam in another state
  • Request the submission of official transcripts from your college or university institutions to confirm you meet the educational requirements
  • Have met the 2-year work experience requirements for reciprocal licensure
  • Are not the subject of review procedures, disciplinary proceedings, or unresolved complaints related to the applicant’s license from another state
  • Are of good moral character
  • List all states where they hold CPA licenses and submit official verification of this. You must also specify whether their request for licensure or renewal of their license from another state has been denied within 30 days of its occurrence
  • Submit the application form
  • Pay the following fees:
    • Nonrefundable Initial Application Fee: $200.00
    • Certified Public Accountant License Fee: $300.00
    •  Optional Wall Certificate: $ 20.00

International License Reciprocity

Alaska does not currently recognize Mutual Recognition Agreements but are considering doing so in the future. There are currently no international endorsements for non-MRA countries, so those license holders will need to have their credentials evaluated and sit the CPA exam if approved.

NTS Validation Period

You will receive your Notice to Schedule (NTS) once your application has been accepted. You will have 6 months from the date of issuance in which to write your exam, or the NTS will expire. You will then need to reapply for the exam.

License Renewal Requirements

Active Licenses

The Alaska Board of Public accountancy requires CPA license holders to renew their licenses before December 31st of each alternate year. The exception to this is for licenses that are issued within 90 days of December 31st, in which case their license will be valid until the third December from their license issuance date. In order to renew your license, you will need to meet the following Continued Professional Education (CPE) requirements:

  • 80 total approved hours of CPE within the 2-year period
  • At least 20 of these hours must be done in each year  
  • 4 hours of Ethics CPE hours. These cannot be done through AICPA
  • Licensees are subject to a random mandatory audit of continuing education. If you are selected for the audit, you will be notified in writing and allowed 30 days to submit proof of continuing education claimed for the concluding licensing period

They will then need to pay the application fee, submit the application form, and submit all proof of continuing education transcripts.

Renewal fee: $300

Inactive licenses

A CPA who holds an active license and who is not in active practice may renew their license as “inactive” at the time of renewal by completing the renewal form and paying the inactive license fee.

To resume the active practice of public accounting, an individual with inactive status must reactivate the individual’s permit by completing the current reactivation form, paying the appropriate fees and providing proof of continuing education. It is illegal to practice on an inactive license.

Reinstatements of Delayed License Renewals

If the license holder has failed to renew their license and it has been more than one year and less than three years since the expiration date, they may renew their license as follows:

  • Completing 120 hours of CPE during the 36 months immediately before the date of application for reinstatement
  • Submit the application form
  • Pay both the renewal fee and the delayed penalty fee

If more than three years have lapsed, you may still be able to renew your license, provided that your reason for failing to renew is found to be excusable. You will need to fulfill the requirements as outlined above, and will also need to complete the current AICPA ethics course and exam as well.

Delayed renewal penalty fee: $100

State Board

Alaska Board of Public Accountancy