Chapter 4701-3 | CPA Examination Qualification

Rule 4701-3-02 | Board approved colleges.

• Effective: May 16, 2021
• Promulgated Under: 119.03

(A) For the purpose of qualifying for admission to the certified public accountant examination defined in division (A)(5) of section 4701.06 of the Revised Code, the board will accept academic credits received from or accepted as transfer credits by colleges and universities accredited by an agency approved by the board.

(B) Candidates whose training has been completed in a college or university located outside the United States must meet the foreign credential evaluation requirements specified in rule 4701-3-05 of the Administrative Code.

Last updated July 17, 2024 at 2:03 PM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4701.06
Amplifies: 4701.06
Five Year Review Date: 6/14/2029
Prior Effective Dates: 1/1/2000

Rule 4701-3-03 | Education, subject matter, and degree requirements to sit for the CPA examination.

• Effective: January 1, 2026
• Promulgated Under: 119.03

(A) A candidate for the CPA examination must complete the following education requirements:

(1) The education requirement set forth in division (C) of section 4701.06 of the Revised Code.

(2) A candidate who seeks to take the CPA examination under division (A)(2) of section 4701.06 of the Revised Code shall meet the accounting concentration and business course requirement defined in this rule.

(3) A candidate who seeks to take the CPA examination under division (C) of section 4701.06 of the Revised Code shall provide documentation from the educational institution that will issue the candidate's qualifying baccalaureate degree that confirms the candidate is within one hundred eighty days of completion of a baccalaureate degree that meets the education and course requirements defined in paragraphs (B) and (D) of this rule.

(B) The accounting concentration described in division (A)(2)(a) of section 4701.06 of the Revised Code shall include thirty semester hours credit or equivalent in accounting courses, that includes course work in the following subject areas:

(1) Auditing in accordance with the generally accepted auditing standards defined in rule 4701-9-03 of the Administrative Code.

(2) Financial accounting.

(3) Taxation.

(C) Eighteen semester hours of graduate credit in accounting will meet the accounting concentration described in division (A)(2)(a) of section 4701.06 of the Revised Code and paragraph (B) of this rule.

(D) The business administration course requirement described in division (A)(2)(a) of section 4701.06 of the Revised Code shall include twenty-four semester credits or equivalent in business administration courses other than accounting courses. Business law is considered a business administration course.

(E) A graduate degree in accounting from an institution accredited by an agency recognized by the board will meet the accounting concentration requirement defined in paragraph (B) of this rule and the business course requirement defined in paragraph (D) of this rule.

(F) A graduate degree in business from an institution accredited by an agency recognized by the board will meet the business administration course requirement defined in paragraph (D) of this rule.

Last updated January 5, 2026 at 9:52 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4701.03, 4701.06
Amplifies: 4701.06
Five Year Review Date: 9/6/2029
Prior Effective Dates: 12/9/1997

Rule 4701-3-05 | Evaluation of foreign credentials.

• Effective: September 6, 2024
• Promulgated Under: 119.03

(A) A candidate from a foreign country may take the "International Qualification Examination," administered by the "National Association of State Boards of Accountancy," in lieu of the CPA examination if the candidate has a foreign credential that has been approved by the board.

(B) All other candidates who complete their education outside the United States, and who do not comply with the provisions of paragraph (A) of this rule, must submit their official school records to a foreign credential evaluation service approved by the board. If the evaluation service certifies that the foreign training is equivalent to the CPA examination education requirements described in rule 4701-3-03 of the Administrative Code, the candidate may file for admission to the CPA examination in Ohio.

Last updated September 6, 2024 at 8:30 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4701.06
Amplifies: 4701.06
Five Year Review Date: 9/6/2029
Prior Effective Dates: 9/14/2007