How to Become a Chartered Professional Accountant in Alberta
Do you need a licence?
Licence required
You must be registered with Chartered Professional Accountants of Alberta to work as a chartered professional accountant in Alberta or to use a protected title.
- Protected titles
- Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA)
Show the source
“Under Alberta’s Chartered Professional Accountants Act [pdf] and Chartered Professional Accountants Regulation [pdf], you must meet the requirements of and register as a member of the Chartered Professional Accountants of Alberta (CPA Alberta) if you: Perform audit engagements or review engagements State or imply that you are a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA)”
From alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/certifications-in-alberta/accountant, checked October 10, 2026.
At a glance
- Licence status
- Licence required See the source
- Routes
-
- Trained in Canada: 4 steps
- Licensed in another province: 2 steps
- Trained outside Canada: 5 steps
- Annual fees
- Not stated by the regulator Check with CPA Alberta
Your roadmap
Tick each step as you finish it. Your ticks are kept in this browser only.
Trained in Canada
0 of 4 done
- 4 steps without a listed fee
-
Successfully complete a bachelor's degree in any discipline with specific subject area coverage.
Source
“A bachelor’s degree (in any discipline) with specific subject area coverage”
alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/certifications-in-alberta/accountant -
Successfully complete the CPA Professional Education Program.
Source
“The CPA Professional Education Program (CPA PEP)”
alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/certifications-in-alberta/accountant -
Complete relevant practical work experience.
Source
“Relevant practical work experience”
alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/certifications-in-alberta/accountant -
Successfully complete the Common Final Examination.
Source
“The Common Final Examination (CFE)”
alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/certifications-in-alberta/accountant
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with CPA Alberta
4 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Licensed in another province
0 of 2 done
- 2 steps without a listed fee
- Listed time: 0.9 to 1.4 months (only 1 of 2 steps state a time)
-
Review the instructions provided by CPA Alberta before continuing with the application.
Source
“Please review the instructions here before continuing.”
cpaalberta.ca/Members/Members-Moving-Provinces -
Submit all the documents required for your application.
Time: 4 to 6 weeksTime source
“Once all your documents have been received, your application will be processed. Please allow 4–6 weeks for processing your request.”
cpaalberta.ca/Members/Members-Moving-ProvincesSource
“Once all your documents have been received, your application will be processed. Please allow 4–6 weeks for processing your request.”
cpaalberta.ca/Members/Members-Moving-Provinces
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with CPA Alberta
2 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Trained outside Canada
0 of 5 done
- 5 steps without a listed fee
- Listed time: 0.2 to 0.3 months (only 1 of 5 steps state a time)
-
Fill out the pre-assessment questionnaire, which confirms your eligibility and provides guidance on your next steps.
Time: 5 to 10 daysTime source
“After you have submitted a complete PAQ, you will be sent the results within 5 – 10 business days (volume dependent).”
cpaalberta.ca/Become-a-CPA/Internationally-Trained-Professional/RMA...Source
“After reviewing the above requirements, if you believe you are eligible to apply for membership under this RMA, you are required to fill out a pre-assessment questionnaire (PAQ). The PAQ confirms your eligibility and based on the results, you will be provided guidance on your next steps.”
cpaalberta.ca/Become-a-CPA/Internationally-Trained-Professional/RMA... -
Submit a complete application form online that has been notarized by a notary public or commissioner of oaths.
Source
“Online submission of a complete application form that has been notarized by a notary public or commissioner of oaths.”
cpaalberta.ca/Become-a-CPA/Internationally-Trained-Professional/RMA... -
Pay the one-time Application Fee plus your prorated Annual Member Fee.
Source
“Payment of the prescribed fees. This includes the one-time Application Fee, plus your prorated Annual Member Fee.”
cpaalberta.ca/Become-a-CPA/Internationally-Trained-Professional/RMA... -
Provide any additional evidence requested and satisfactory to the Registrar.
Source
“Provide additional evidence as requested and satisfactory to the Registrar.”
cpaalberta.ca/Become-a-CPA/Internationally-Trained-Professional/RMA... -
To maintain your membership, complete the online CPA Reciprocity Professional Development course by the second anniversary of admission, or alternatively complete the CPARE.
Source
“In order to maintain your membership, you are required to complete the online CPA Reciprocity Professional Development course (CPARPD) by the second anniversary date of admission to membership.”
cpaalberta.ca/Become-a-CPA/Internationally-Trained-Professional/RMA...
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with CPA Alberta
5 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Requirements
Education
You need successful completion of a bachelor's degree in any discipline with specific subject area coverage.
Source
“A bachelor’s degree (in any discipline) with specific subject area coverage”
alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/certifications-in-alberta/accountantYou need successful completion of the CPA Professional Education Program.
Source
“The CPA Professional Education Program (CPA PEP)”
alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/certifications-in-alberta/accountant
Experience
You need relevant practical work experience.
Source
“Relevant practical work experience”
alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/certifications-in-alberta/accountantApplicants under the RMA must have been engaged in the accounting profession within the jurisdiction of the international accounting organization for a minimum of two years immediately preceding receipt of the international designation.
Source
“Engaged in the accounting profession within the jurisdiction of the international accounting organization for a minimum of two years immediately preceding the applicant's receipt of the international designation (a reduction of this time period may be requested, please contact [email protected] for further information).”
cpaalberta.ca/Become-a-CPA/Internationally-Trained-Professional/RMA...
Other
Applicants under the RMA must be a Canadian Citizen or legally permitted to work or study in Canada.
Source
“Be a Canadian Citizen or legally permitted to work or study in Canada (for more information, visit the Canadian Immigration and Citizenship at www.cic.gc.ca);”
cpaalberta.ca/Become-a-CPA/Internationally-Trained-Professional/RMA...
Already licensed in another province?
Direct transfer
Chartered Professional Accountants who are registered and in good standing with a regulatory organization elsewhere in Canada are eligible for registration in Alberta. Source
“Chartered Professional Accountants who are registered and in good standing with a regulatory organization elsewhere in Canada are eligible for registration in Alberta.”
alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/certifications-in-alberta/accountant
Processing time: Not stated by the regulator Check with CPA Alberta
Credential assessment
Not stated by the regulator Check with CPA Alberta
Exams
-
Common Final Examination (CFE)
Source
“The Common Final Examination (CFE)”
alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/certifications-in-alberta/accountant -
CPA Reciprocity Examination (CPARE)
Source
“Alternatively, you may opt to complete the CPA Reciprocity Examination (CPARE) instead of the CPARPD course. If you decide to take the CPARE instead of the CPARPD, you must successfully complete the CPARE by the second anniversary date of your admission to membership.”
cpaalberta.ca/Become-a-CPA/Internationally-Trained-Professional/RMA...
Language tests
Not stated by the regulator Check with CPA Alberta
Canadian experience
Not stated by the regulator Check with CPA Alberta
Supervised practice
Not stated by the regulator Check with CPA Alberta
Demand and pay
| Where | Low | Median | High | Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alberta | $27.70 | $43.27 | $72.12 | Moderate (3 of 5) |
| Canada | $25.00 | $40.36 | $71.43 | — |
Chartered professional accountants in other provinces and territories
- British Columbia Licence required
- Saskatchewan Licence required
- Manitoba Licence required
- Ontario Licence required
- Quebec Licence required
- New Brunswick Licence required
- Nova Scotia Licence required
- Prince Edward Island Licence required
- Newfoundland and Labrador Licence required
- Yukon Licence required
- Northwest Territories Licence required
- Nunavut Licence required
Compare chartered professional accountant licensing across Canada
Sources checked
- Accountant: Certifications in Alberta - alis alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/certifications-in-alberta/accountant · fetched October 10, 2026
- Members Moving Provinces cpaalberta.ca/Members/Members-Moving-Provinces · fetched October 10, 2026
- Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand cpaalberta.ca/Become-a-CPA/Internationally-Trained-Professional/RMA... · fetched October 10, 2026
Frequently asked questions
2
Do you need a licence to work as a chartered professional accountant in Alberta?
Yes. Registration with Chartered Professional Accountants of Alberta is required to practise in Alberta, and to use the title Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA).
Which exams are required?
Common Final Examination (CFE), CPA Reciprocity Examination (CPARE).
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