The CPA US curriculum has 2 major components:
- The Unified CPA exam, and
- CPA License.
After successfully passing the CPA exam, one can seek a license as per the need from the respective state to obtain the practicing right across the jurisdiction of the state concerned.
Applying for a CPA license is not mandatory after passing the CPA exam. You can call yourself a CPA Exam Passer without a license. However, if you want to use the CPA title officially and sign audit reports, a license is required.
Why Get a CPA License?
- Required for public accounting roles (e.g., audit, attestation)
- Enhances credibility and career opportunities in the US and abroad
- Some employers and states require a license for higher-level finance roles
Most Convenient US States for Asian Candidates to Get Licensed
Asian candidates often prefer states with lenient work experience requirements, fewer residency restrictions, and easier pathways for international candidates. Choosing the best U.S. state for CPA licensure depends on multiple factors, including your work experience, career goals, and educational background. Here’s a breakdown to help you decide:
Here are some of the best options:
1. Guam
- No residency requirement
- Allows non-public accounting experience
- Easier for international candidates to get licensed
2. Montana
- No Social Security Number (SSN) required
- Accepts international work experience
- 1-year experience can be in industry, academia, or government
3. Washington
- No SSN required
- Flexible experience criteria
- No state-specific ethics exam
4. Illinois
- No residency requirement
- Accepts international experience
- No state-specific ethics exam
5. Alaska
- No SSN required
- 1 year of general accounting experience is enough
- Allows work experience under non-CPA supervisor
Best Suitable States:
| Criteria | Best States |
| No U.S. CPA Supervisor | Illinois, Virginia, Montana, Washington |
| No SSN Required | Guam, Montana, Wisconsin, Washington |
| Work in Industry (not audit) | Texas, Illinois, Georgia, Virginia |
| Best for International Jobs | New York, California, Texas, Florida |
| Fastest Licensing Process | Alaska, Montana, Colorado. |
Recommended Approach
- Confirm your eligibility: Use NASBA’s CPA Evaluation Service or check with state boards.
- Select a state that matches your work experience: If you lack a CPA supervisor, avoid strict states like New York.
- Choose a state based on career plans: If planning to work in the U.S., Texas, California, or New York are top choices.
- Alternative: Get Licensed via the AICPA International Pathway
Some Asian candidates work in countries where they do not need a US CPA license. If your goal is only to pass the CPA exam for career growth, licensing may not be necessary.
The AICPA International Pathway for CPA Licensure is designed for internationally trained accountants who want to obtain the U.S. CPA license without going through the traditional route. This pathway is mainly for members of professional accounting bodies that have mutual recognition agreements (MRAs) or reciprocal agreements with AICPA and NASBA.
Eligibility for the International Pathway
You may be eligible if you are a member of an accounting body that has a mutual recognition agreement (MRA) with AICPA and NASBA. Some of the recognized accounting bodies include:
- Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) – Only for members
- CPA Australia
- Chartered Accountants Ireland
- Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales (ICAEW)
- Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS)
- South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA)
- Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants (HKICPA)
- Canadian CPA (CPA Canada)
- Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ)
If you are a member of ICAI or another MRA-recognized body, the International Pathway via International Qualification Examination (IQEX) is the fastest way to obtain a U.S. CPA license.
The Uplift Pro CPA Support:
Considering the magnitude of CPA exam and stepwise procedures required from registration to obtain CPA license, Uplift Professionals has created a dedicated cell to make things easy for its CPA students. This includes end to end support from exam preparing to state selection, evaluation, registration, exam booking and finally the CPA licensure process
Would you like guidance on choosing the best state based on your work experience and career goals?
For Further Information/Assistance, Contact Us.