How to become a CPA in Virgin Islands - VI | Exams and License | Certification | CPA Requirements | CPA 2023 Requirements by State

Featured Programs:

1. Get Your Education

a. Obtain information from online accounting programs available to residents of the Virgin Islands.

b. Verify that your degree granting institution is accredited by any one of the accrediting agencies listed on The US Department of Education’s Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs.

You may also contact the Virgin Islands Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs (DLCA) office for recognition of your degree program. They can be contacted using one of the following numbers:

St. Croix office- (340) 773-2226
St. John office- (340) 693-8036
St. Thomas office- (340) 774-3130

FIND SCHOOLS

2. Take The Uniform CPA Exam

You are required to have been a resident of the Virgin Islands for at least 30 days prior to applying to take CPA licensure exams. In the Virgin Islands you are required you to pass the Uniform CPA exam as well as a local exam. All inquiries related to application, scheduling, payment and testing for the local exam must be directed to the DLCA directly by email ([email protected]) or by calling one of the numbers listed below.

After meeting the education requirements, take the steps outlined below to apply to sit for the Uniform CPA Exam:

a. Go to the Virgin Islands Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs (DLCA) office nearest you to pick up the CPA Exam application. The applications are not yet available online. There are three DLCA office locations:

Golden Rock Shopping Center
3000 Estate Golden Rock, Suite 9
St. Croix, VI 00820
Ph: (340) 773-2226

Administrative Complex
“The Battery”
St. John, VI 00830
Ph: (340) 693-8036

Prop. & Procurement Bldg.
8201 Sub Base, Suite 1
St. Thomas, VI 00802
Ph: (340) 774-3130

The following items must be included in your application packet submitted to one of the offices above:

A completed and certified (notarized) application
Three recent passport sized 2×2 photographs
One letter of favorable character testimony
Favorable tax clearance letter from the Bureau of Internal Revenue
Check for the application fee of $150 made payable to the Virgin Islands DLCA

b. Wait to receive your Notice to Schedule (NTS) the Uniform CPA Exam from the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA).

c. Visit the Prometric website to schedule the exam and pay Prometric’s testing fee.

d. Prepare for your chosen exam sections and report to the exam site on time. You can take up to 4 exam sections at one time.

e. Wait for the results. The DLCA will notify you of your results directly.

f. Schedule the Virgin Islands DLCA exam, which is offered 3 times each year. You must contact your local DLCA office at one of the numbers above to schedule the exam and pay the exam fees, which total $100 USD.

For comprehensive information about the Uniform CPA Examination (not the local exam), click here.

3. Gain The Necessary Experience

After successfully completing all sections of the Uniform CPA exam and Virgin Islands DLCA exam, you are only a couple of steps away from obtaining your Virgin Islands DLCA issued CPA license:

a. Gain the required experience for licensing in governmental accounting as an auditor or internal revenue agent as follows:

If you are a high school graduate, you need 6 years of public accounting experience.
If you hold a college degree without a concentration in accounting, you need 3 years of public accounting experience.
If you have a bachelor’s degree in accounting as defined by at least 20 semester hours of accounting, at least five hours of business law and at least five hours of economics and finance, you need 2 years of public accounting experience.

b. Obtain two professional reference letters from individuals with knowledge of your work in the accounting field. Professional letters of reference are typically provided by coworkers and/or supervising CPAs.

4. Obtain Your Virgin Islands CPA License

Now you’re ready to apply for your Virgin Islands DLCA issued CPA license.

a. Check that you have taken the following steps up to this point:

Completed education requirements – a high school diploma or a college degree
Passed all 4 sections of the Uniform CPA Examination and the local Virgin Islands exam
Completed the required years of public accounting experience based on your education
Obtained one character testimony letter,
Obtained two professional reference letters verifying your work experience
Obtained a tax clearance letter from the Bureau of Internal Revenue

b. Pick up the Virgin Islands CPA permit application from your local DLCA office. Send the completed application packet to:

Attention: Nathalie Hodge
Administrator, Boards and Commissions
V.I. Board of Certified Public Accountancy
Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs
Golden Rock Shopping Center, Suite #9
Christiansted, VI 00820-4311

c. When notified of having been granted CPA licensure, pay the $390 licensing fee directly to the board.

Virgin Islands CPA License by Inter-Jurisdictional and International Reciprocity

If you are applying for a Virgin Islands CPA certificate by reciprocity, you need to provide proof of registration and licensure in another US state or jurisdiction along with the $390 fee. Reciprocity still requires 30 days of residency in the Virgin Islands.
If you hold an accounting designation from a foreign country, the foreign country must have a national registration board of scope and standing as honored by the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA). These countries with CPA equivalent credentials currently honored are Australia, Canada, Ireland, Mexico, Hong Kong and New Zealand. License holders from other countries need to take the Uniform CPA and local exam to get licensed.

5. Keeping your License Current Through Renewals

Virgin Islands CPA license renews on an annual basis. As of July 2014, there is no requirement for continuing professional education in order to renew your CPA license. For license renewal, you need to submit:

A completed and certified renewal application
A favorable tax clearance letter from the Bureau of Internal Revenue
Required Fees – contact DLCA to determine the fees at the time of your renewal

Now that you’re a CPA in Virgin Islands

As a certified public accountant you may want to consider joining the AICPA, a professional organization that promotes the accounting profession on a legislative and public level, and that also provide networking, professional development and CPE opportunities.