Almost.......there............

Congrats to me! I have now officially worked 2000 hours towards my CPA license.

Big whoop.

I called the state board today to request a license application. They informed me that people in my situation must show that we have taken 120 hours of CPE (continuing professional education, continuing ed, etc.) OR take the exam again.

Let me explain. I'll try to be brief.

When I found out I had passed the November 2002 CPA exam, I called the state board and asked how long it was good for. I was a stay-at-home mom at the moment and didn't want to go to work yet. The lady I spoke with said it was basically good forever. Your 1 year of experience (full time, or 2000 hours) had to be within the past 3 years. But the exam was good forever.

Fast forward to Nov. 2006. I find out that the law changed on me. Now, anyone passing the exam AFTER August 2005 must apply for their license within 3 years or end up with a void license. Void license means you must take and pass the CPA exam AGAIN.

Well, seeing as how August 2005 was already 3 years after I passed the exam, I don't believe I ever really had a chance to satisfy that requirement once I found out about it. I am not "grandfathered in". The board has decided that people like me can either take 120 hours CPE or take the exam again.

It was.........a bummer.

I wasn't totally surprised. I knew I had "special circumstances" and was only slightly hoping for a miracle. (Why, yes, Mrs. Kane, don't even bother applying! We'll send your certificate right out!)

And taking 120 hours will be more expensive than hard. My boss told me once that if I ever attend a CPE course and come back saying it was fun, I will be highly suspect.

I'm waiting on a call from someone higher up at the board, but I really don't expect it to change anything.

So, pray that I keep my sanity and find some cheap CPE. I'm still very very close to having a license. And to look on the bright side, at least they offer the CPE option. Otherwise I'd be studying for the CPA exam for a SECOND time! Also, I don't have to wait 36 months to complete the CPE. I can get it as fast as I can. My only drawback is money and time off at work. (Most classes are 8 hours)

I'm sure I'll get there one day. I just hope my grandkids aren't out of college before it happens. (Ok! Ok! I'm kidding!)