How to Get 225 Credits

There are multiple ways to get 225 credits (to be CPA eligible), neither way is right nor wrong, however, there are better-ways and not-so-good-ways.

Better-Ways:

  1. Get your MBAA
  2. Double-major
  3. Take advantage of other opportunities to receive credits

Not-So-Good-Ways:

  1. Taking random classes

Reason for 225 credit requirement: (From Oregon Board of Accountancy)

(3) Eligibility under education requirements. Candidates for admission to the CPA exam applying under the educational requirements of ORS 673.050(1)(a) must demonstrate eligibility as follows:

(a) 150 Hour rule: Satisfactory evidence that the candidate has successfully completed 150 semester hours or 225 quarter hours, including:

(A) A baccalaureate or higher degree from a regionally accredited college or university as described in ORS 673.050(1)(a);

(B) A minimum of 24 semester hours or 36 quarter hours, or the equivalent thereof, in the study of accounting. For candidates applying on or after June 30, 2017, these hours must be upper-division courses. Principles and introductory courses cannot be used to meet this requirement; and

(C) A minimum of 24 semester hours or 36 quarter hours in accounting or related subjects. Related subjects are defined as business, finance, economics, and written and oral communication.

(D) Credit for community college courses. Applicants who have earned a baccalaureate or higher degree from a regionally accredited college or university may obtain additional hours from a community college, if such hours would be transferable to an accredited college or university.

(E) Applicants applying on or after June 30, 2017: Internship courses are limited to a maximum of 4 semester hours or 6 quarter hours.

(b) Evidence of eligibility. Candidates must meet all requirements under this rule at the time of application. Satisfactory evidence of the educational requirement may be provided in the following manner:

(A) Candidates who have completed all course requirements and been awarded a baccalaureate or higher degree must provide an official transcript(s) demonstrating successful completion of all courses required under these rules, and that a degree was awarded.

(B) Candidates who have completed all course requirements at the time of application, but for whom a baccalaureate degree has not yet been awarded must provide an official transcript(s) showing successful completion of all courses required under these rules, together with a letter from the Registrar’s Office of the college or university stating that the candidate has met the degree requirements and the date that the degree will be awarded.

(C) Only official transcripts that are forwarded directly to the Board office by the issuing college or university will be accepted.

(D) Colleges or universities, which are accredited by one of the six regional accrediting associations and listed as accredited in the Directory of Post-secondary Institutions, published by the National Center for Education Statistics, are recognized by the Board.