21 NCAC 08F .0103          FILING OF EXAMINATION APPLICATIONS AND FEES

(a)  All applications for CPA examinations shall be filed with the Board and accompanied by the examination fee. The Board sets the fee for each examination at the amount that enables the Board to recover its actual costs of examination services. If a check or credit card authorization fails to clear the bank, the application shall be deemed incomplete and returned. CPA examination applications and fee information are on the Board's website at nccpaboard.gov and may be requested from the Board.

(b)  The initial application filed to take the examination shall include supporting documentation demonstrating that all legal requirements have been met, including:

(1)           minimum legal age;

(2)           education; and

(3)           good moral character.

(c)  In addition, any person born outside the United States shall furnish to the Board office:

(1)           evidence of citizenship; or

(2)           evidence of resident alien status; or

(3)           other bona fide evidence that the applicant is legally allowed to remain in the United States; or

(4)           a notarized affidavit of intention to become a U.S. citizen; or

(5)           evidence that the applicant is a citizen of a foreign jurisdiction that extends to citizens of this State like or similar privileges to be examined.

(d)  Education and satisfaction of degree requirements shall be proven by submission of either original official transcripts, not photocopies, signed by the college registrar and bearing the college seal or by electronic delivery of official transcripts directly from the college registrar or through the institution's chosen provider. A letter from the college registrar of the school may be filed as documentation that the applicant has met the graduation requirements if the degree has not been awarded and posted to the transcript. No examination grades shall be released until an official transcript is filed with the Board confirming the education requirement as stated in the college registrar's letter.

(e)  Applicants for re-examination shall not re-submit official transcripts, additional statements, or affidavits regarding education.

(f)  To document good moral character as required by G.S. 93-12(5), three persons not related by blood or marriage to the applicant shall sign the application certifying the good moral character of the applicant and the Board shall conduct a background check of the applicant including a check of criminal records.

(g)  An applicant shall include as part of any application for the CPA examination a statement of explanation and a certified copy of the final disposition if the applicant has been arrested, charged, convicted or found guilty of, received a prayer for judgment continued, or pleaded nolo contendere to any criminal offense. An applicant shall not be required to disclose any arrest, charge, or conviction that has been expunged by a court.

(h)  If an applicant has been denied any license by any state or federal agency, the applicant shall include as part of the application for the CPA examination a statement explaining such denial. An applicant shall include a statement of explanation and a certified copy of applicable license records if the applicant has been registered with or licensed by a state or federal agency and has been disciplined by that agency.

(i)  An applicant shall submit one photograph or digital image as part of the application for the CPA examination. The photograph or digital image shall be of the applicant alone, front view, full face, taken in normal street attire without a hat or dark glasses, with a plain light background, and taken within the last six months. The photograph or digital image may be in black and white or in color. Retouched photographs or digital images shall not be accepted. If submitting a photograph, applicants shall write their names on the back of their photograph, with the photograph two by two inches in size.

(j)  If an applicant's name has legally changed and is different from the name on any transcript or other document supplied to the Board, the applicant shall furnish copies of the documents legally authorizing the name change.

(k)  Candidates shall file initial and re-exam applications to sit for the CPA examination on forms provided by the Board.

(l)  Examination fees are valid for a six-month period from the date of the applicant's notice to schedule for the examination from the examination vendor.

(m)  No application for examination shall be considered while the applicant is serving a sentence for any criminal offense. Serving a sentence includes incarceration, probation (supervised or unsupervised), parole, or conditionally suspended sentence, any of which are imposed as a result of having been convicted or having pled to a criminal charge.

History Note:        Authority G.S. 93-2; 93-10; 93-12(3); 93-12(4); 93-12(5); 93-12(7);

Eff. February 1, 1976;

Readopted Eff. September 26, 1977;

Amended Eff. January 1, 2014; February 1, 2011; January 1, 2006; January 1, 2004; August 1, 1998; February 1, 1996; April 1, 1994; March 1, 1990; May 1, 1989;

Readopted Eff. February 1, 2016;

Amended Eff. September 1, 2023; February 1, 2018.