Board of Accountancy: Applications and Forms

Licensing Requirements

The Colorado State Board of Accountancy has authorized CPA Examination Services (CPAES), a division of the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA), to process its applications for examination and original licensure.

Colorado Uniform CPA Examination Candidates: please visit their website for information on Colorado's requirements and how to apply for the exam.

For detailed information on Colorado's requirements for licensure (individual and firm), visit the Colorado Licensure page at NASBA.

Individual Certified Public Accountants Requirements

There are four parts (the four "E's" - education, examination, ethics, and experience) to obtaining a Colorado Certified Public Accountant Certificate:

You must meet the education requirements to qualify to take the Uniform CPA Examination. You must successfully pass the Uniform CPA Examination. You must take the AICPA Ethics course, and take and successfully pass the AICPA Ethics Examination with a score of 90 percent or better within 2 years immediately preceding the application receipt date. You must have 1,800 qualifying work hours verified by one or more verifiers as defined in Rule 4.1.E. The work hours must be obtained within the 5 years immediately preceding the date the application is received by the Board or its designee.

 

Public accounting firms must meet the statutory requirements for licensure.

Final Step

The final step in obtaining your Colorado Certified Public Accountant Certificate or a Public Accounting Firm Registration is to file a complete application and fee with NASBA.

Forms: All Accountant Applications and Forms are available below:

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Applications and Forms
• Public Accounting Firm (FRM)Registration Applications and Forms

Communication from the Division: The Division of Professions and Occupations primary communication is via email. Please be sure to include your current email address on your application to receive important information about your application status and process.

License Expiration Grace Period for New Applicants: All new applicants who are issued a license within 120 days of the upcoming renewal expiration date will be issued a license with the next expiration date.

License Renewal Information:

• All CPA certificates expire on November 30 of odd-numbered years.
• All FRM registrations expire on August 31 every three years. (e.g. In 2020, the FRM registrations expired on August 31, 2020. The next expiration would be August 31, 2023.)
• View your expiration date on your online account. Please note that renewals open approximately six weeks prior to the expiration date.