Maine CPA Requirements (Rules on Exam and Licensing)

Maine is a relatively easy state in which to sit for the CPA Exam. For the education requirement, Maine simply expects candidates to earn a bachelor’s degree or higher within 120 days following the examination.

However, the board has a strict experience requirement: they demand 2 years of public accounting experience. But, the board will consider non-public accounting experience to determine if it is substantially equivalent.

Furthermore, Maine requires candidates to have a social security number as well.

Maine CPA Requirements

1. Education Requirements to Sit for the CPA Exam in Maine

• Bachelor’s degree or above.
• Fulfill at least 120 credit hours.
• 15 credit hours in accounting, auditing, and ethics combined.
  • 3 credit hours in accounting
  • 3 hours in auditing.
  • Educational requirements must be met within 120 days of completing the CPA Exam.

  2. Additional Maine CPA Requirements to Get the License

  Education

  • 150 credit hours from an accredited university or educational institution.
  • Accounting courses: 15 credit hours ( 3 in accounting, 3 in auditing, and ethics).

  Work Experience

  • 2 years of public accounting work experience:
    • at least 400 hours in audit, review, and compilation.
    • at least 200 hours in advisory services.
    • non-public accounting may be counted if it is deemed substantially equivalent to public accounting.

    The NASBA Experience Verification service is available to those who do not have access to an active U.S. CPA for verification.

    Ethics Qualification

    • None required.

    3. Maine CPA Requirements on Residency & Age

    • US citizenship not required.
    • Maine residency not required.
    • Minimum age: none.

    Note on Social Security Numbers

    The disclosure of your social security number is mandatory in the license application form. Catherine Caroll kindly confirmed the understanding via email:

    Yes, Maine Law requires individuals seeking licensure with this department must provide a social security number issued by the U.S. Social Security Administration. There is no exemption to this provision even to those previously licensed.

    Yours truly,

    Catherine
    Catherine M. Carroll
    Board Administrator

    4. CPA Exam Fees in Maine

    • Education Evaluation Application Fee: $90.00
    • Exam Section Application Fee: $344.80

    5. Continuing Education

    CPE is a must for license holders. Click here for Maine CPA CPE requirements.

    6. Other Useful Information

    • Maine CPA Exam Application Instruction
    • Maine Board of Accountancy Laws

    7. Contact

    Maine Board of Accountancy
    Department of Prof. & Fin. Regulation
    Office of Lic. & Reg.
    35 State House Station
    Augusta, ME 04333-0035

    • Email: cpaes-me@nasba.org
    • Phone: (207) 624-8672
    • Fax: (207) 624-8636

    What if the Maine CPA Requirements Don’t Work for Me?

    Check out these pages to learn about the educational and experience requirements, with my recommendation at the end of the posts:

    • CPA educational requirements: Rules, Obstacles, and Solutions
    • States with more flexible CPA experience requirements
    • How to get extra credit hours for the 150-hour rule

    If you have questions, feel free to leave a comment below, or visit my Facebook page.

    About the Author Stephanie Ng

    I am the author of How to Pass The CPA Exam (published by Wiley), and I also passed all 4 sections of the CPA Exam on my first try. Additionally, I have led webinars, such as for the Institute of Management Accountants, authored featured articles on websites like Going Concern and AccountingWeb, and I'm also the CFO for the charity New Sight. Finally, I have created other accounting certification websites to help mentor non-CPA candidates. I have already mentored thousands of CPA, CMA, CIA, EA, and CFA candidates, and I can help you too!