Get Your First CPA License

How do I...

Your application must be complete at the time of submission. Incomplete applications may be denied.

To apply for your first Washington State CPA license as a Washington CPA Exam candidate, you will need to:

  1. Pass the CPA exam.
  2. Meet the experience requirements.
    • Submit a complete Experience Affidavit by upload to your online application.
      • Read and complete the experience affidavit carefully. If any information is incomplete or incorrect, you will be required to submit a new experience affidavit with new signatures.
      • The experience affidavit must be signed with a handwritten signature by both the applicant and verifying CPA. Typed or electronic signatures are not accepted.
      • If you are listing more than 2 employers, complete and submit Experience Affidavit – 1B (Additional Experience) with your experience affidavit.
  3. Complete a course covering the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct (8 hour minimum course length) and achieve a score of 90% or better on the examination.
    • The course purchased through the AICPA or WSCPA is titled: "Professional Ethics: The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants' Comprehensive Course (For Licensure)."
    • The course completion certificate with a score of 90% or better must be uploaded to your application.
  4. Watch the video, Washington CPA Essentials.
  5. Complete the required Continuing Professional Education (CPE), only if it has been more than four years since you passed the CPA exam.
    • Upload the following CPE documentation to your online application.
      • A course listing which includes course title, course provider, date completed, and CPE hours earned for each completed course.
      • The CPE course completion certificates or other acceptable CPE documentation, as described in WAC 4-30-138, for each completed course.
  6. Review the example of your first CPE reporting period.
  7. Verify that you have met the good character requirements by answering the questions on your CPA license application.
  8. Complete and submit the license application through our online services. ***We strongly suggest you use a personal email address to set up your SecureAccess Washington account.***

CPA licenses will not be issued between November 1 and December 31 due to the 20-hour minimum annual CPE requirement. Applications can be submitted but will not be approved until the beginning of January.

You may not use the title CPA until your license has been posted in the Board's licensee search.

If you submit college or university transcripts and CPA exam scores and do not submit an application for initial licensure within two years, your documents will be administratively destroyed per our records retention schedule.