CPA Requirements

Purpose of Licensure:
To set standards of qualifications, education, training and experience for persons engaged in Public Accounting. To promote high standards of professional performance for those persons working in the Public Accountancy field.

Period of Licensure:
All permanent licenses are issued on an annual basis. Permit cards are issued from July 1 to June 30 of each calendar year.

Application Process:
Applicant must be a resident of the U.S. Virgin Islands for at least thirty (30) days immediately prior to submittal of application. Need:

Completed and notarized application;
Three (3) 2x2 photographs of applicant;
Copy of Applicant's Social Security Card;
A Favorable Tax Clearence Letter from the V.I. Bureau of Internal Revenue;
Applicant must meet the specified educational and experience requirements;
A certified copy of applicant's college transcript;
A certified copy of applicant's CPA Certificate from another state (if applicable);
Payment of Required Fees.

Examination:
All candidates are required to sit an examination. The examination is comprised of the Uniform CPA Examination and a Local CPA Examination. CPAs seeking licensure by reciprocity must sit the local CPA Examination. The Uniform CPA examination is given in May and November of each calendar year.

Completed and notarized renewal application (available on back of license);
A Favorable Tax Clearence Letter from the V.I. Bureau of Internal Revenue;
Payment of Required Fees.

Educational and Experience Requirements:
The minimum educational requirement for the CPA certificate is a diploma from a four (4) year high school. The experience requirement for the CPA Certificate is six (6) years of public accounting experience preceding the date of the application.

Candidates who hold degrees from recognized colleges or universities are required to have three (3) years of experience immediately preceding application, in public accounting or in governmental accounting as an auditor or internal revenue agent.

Candidates who hold degrees from recognized colleges or universities and who have completed thirty (30) or more semester hours of study in accounting, business law, economics, and finance (of which a minimum of twenty (20) semester hours are in accounting), must have two (2) years of experience, immediately preceding application, in public accounting or governmental accounting as an auditor or internal revenue agent.

Conditioning:
A candidate who passes two (2) or more parts of the Uniform CPA Examination may be granted credit for those parts on subsequent examinations. Each candidate is required to pass a local CPA Examination in addition to the Uniform CPA Examination.

Temporary Practice:
An out-of-state accountant may temporarily practice in the U.S. Virgin Islands on professional business incident to his/her regular practice.

Reciprocity:
A reciprocal CPA certificate may be granted to a CPA of another state who meets all of the general requirements imposed upon a candidate for an original certificate in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Foreign Accountants:
Any person of good moral character who holds a certificate, license, or degree which authorizes him/her to practice public accounting in a foreign country may register with the Board. Persons so registered are permitted to use the title under which they are generally known in their own country, followed by the name of the country.

Mailing Addresses:
Attention: Lisa Davis
Administrator, Boards and Commissions

V.I. Board of Certified Public Accountancy
Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs
Golden Rock Shopping Center, Christiansted
St. Croix, VI 00822