How to Become a US CPA From India: Step-by-Step Process
By SimplyCPA · 11 October 2026
On this page (11)
- Steps 1–3: Collect official documents, get an NIES evaluation (about six weeks once complete, $250), and choose a board whose rules you meet.
- Steps 4–6: Apply through NASBA's CPA Portal, receive a Notice to Schedule for each section, and pay NASBA's $460 India fee per section.
- Steps 7–8: Book Prometric at least 5 days ahead (45 recommended) and pass all four sections within your board's credit window — 30 months in most.
- Steps 9–10: Pass the ethics exam if your board requires one, complete verified experience and apply for the licence.
- Biggest delays: Universities slow to send sealed transcripts, applying to a board you don't qualify for, and letting an NTS expire.
Step 1: Collect your documents
You'll need official mark sheets (transcripts) and degree certificates for every year of post-secondary study, your passport, and — if you're a CA — certificates and syllabi from ICAI. NIES requires documents to come directly from the issuing institution in a sealed envelope (or electronically from the institution), and everything must arrive within 90 days of applying. Start requesting them from your university early; this is the most common bottleneck.
Step 2: Get your education evaluated
For most boards, the evaluation is done by NASBA International Evaluation Services (NIES): $250, about six weeks once all documents are received. If you haven't chosen a board, NIES's undecided evaluation suggests up to three jurisdictions you qualify for. See credential evaluation: documents, process and timeline.
Step 3: Choose a board
Pick a board whose education, residency and Social Security number rules you meet, and which participates in international testing (Alabama, Idaho, North Carolina and the US Virgin Islands don't). See which state is best for Indian candidates.
Step 4: Apply through NASBA
For boards that use NASBA's CPA Examination Services, create an account on the NASBA CPA Portal, submit an education evaluation application, and once you're found eligible, apply for an exam section and pay. You apply for one section at a time. Some boards run their own application process instead. See how to apply through NASBA.
Step 5: Receive your Notice to Schedule (NTS)
The NTS lets you book that section with Prometric. Its validity varies by board, and fees are non-refundable if it expires — so apply only for a section you're ready to take within about six months.
Step 6: Register for international testing
Every NTS starts as domestic. To test in India, register for international testing and pay NASBA's international administration fee — $460 per section for India — before scheduling. Wait at least 24 hours before booking.
Step 7: Book with Prometric
Schedule at least 5 days ahead; NASBA recommends 45 days. Rescheduling is free 61 or more days out; within 5–60 days there's a Prometric fee; within 2–5 days you pay the full seat fee; inside 24 hours no changes are possible. See scheduling with Prometric.
Step 8: Pass all four sections
Most boards give you 30 months from the release of your first passing score (Washington allows 36). Discipline sections can only be taken in January, April, July and October. Check score release dates in our score release calendar.
Step 9: Ethics exam
Most boards require an ethics exam after passing — usually the AICPA's self-study ethics course — within a set period.
Step 10: Experience and licensure
Complete the board's experience requirement (usually one year verified by a licensed CPA; two years under the 120-hour pathway) and the licensure education requirement (150 hours, or 120 where the new pathway applies), then apply for your licence. See passing vs licensure.
Typical timeline: documents and evaluation 2–3 months → application and NTS a few weeks → exam 12–18 months → licence once experience is complete (often overlapping with the exam).