In order to sit for the CPA exam, candidates must have the following:

1. A bachelors degree in any field (this does not need to be in accounting)
2. 150 semester hours of college credit
3. 24 hours of accounting credit (as part of the 150 total hours)
4. 24 hours of business courses other than accounting (as part of the 150 total hours)

For students with foreign credentials, see question 5 on the Frequently Asked Questions page.

There are separate requirements for candidates with graduate degrees in accounting or business. 

There are two main resources to find out more about CPA Exam.

Board of Examiners:
Please visit www.illinois-cpa-exam.com or call them at 217-531-0950.
This site has information about the education requirements for the exam, credentials evaluation, and the the exam itself.

Illinois CPA Society:
Please visit www.futurecpa.org
This website has the most recent information for students interested in the CPA exam as well as careers in accounting.

If you have additional questions about the CPA exam, please visit our frequently asked questions link at the left or contact Leslie Van Wolvelear, chair of the accounting program at Oakton Community College, at 847-376-7135.