CPA / Accounting License from Georgia to West Virginia: Does It Transfer? (2026)
Last verified: 2026-07-21 · source: West Virginia Board of Accountancy ↗
Yes — West Virginia recognizes CPA licenses from all states, including Georgia. Apply to the West Virginia Board of Accountancy for a reciprocal license; you will not repeat the full exam or education.
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Verdict
Full reciprocity
West Virginia recognizes substantial equivalency, so your Georgia CPA license clears the bar on its own — the West Virginia Board of Accountancy cares that you are a CPA in good standing, not that your license came from Georgia. What remains is West Virginia-side: verification through CPAverify.org, the reciprocal application and fee, a background check, and any West Virginia ethics or rules-of-conduct exam. Do the mobility math first, though — if West Virginia is not becoming your principal place of business, practice privilege may let you work there without this application at all.
What changes, Georgia → West Virginia
| Georgia (current) | West Virginia (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| Training hours | 150 | 150 |
| Application fee | $220 (reciprocal license fee payable to NASBA Licensing Services (administers Georgia licensure)) | $200 (reciprocal application processing fee (same for substantially-equivalent and non-substantially-equivalent tracks); the initial non-reciprocal certificate fee is $120) |
| Processing time | ~2 weeks (NASBA states it processes a completed file (application, fees and all required materials received) in up to two weeks) | the Board does not publish a processing time for reciprocal certificates; applications are printed, signed and mailed with fees |
| Licensing authority | Georgia State Board of Accountancy | West Virginia Board of Accountancy |
The destination column is what you must satisfy — West Virginia sets the rules for this move.
Step by step
- Confirm West Virginia's current requirements on the West Virginia Board of Accountancy website (linked below) — rules change.
- Submit the endorsement application to the West Virginia Board of Accountancy (application linked below).
- Arrange license verification from your current state via the verification system.
- Hold a valid CPA certificate from a substantially equivalent jurisdiction (NASBA-listed) or individually meet substantial-equivalency qualifications.
- Complete the examination on the West Virginia laws, rules and code of ethical conduct.
- Be current with CPE / continuing professional education requirements.
- Non-substantially-equivalent applicants additionally submit transcripts, an Experience Verification form, non-family character references and a 2x2 photo.
- Pay the fees ($200 (reciprocal application processing fee (same for substantially-equivalent and non-substantially-equivalent tracks); the initial non-reciprocal certificate fee is $120)) and allow the Board does not publish a processing time for reciprocal certificates; applications are printed, signed and mailed with fees.
Official links
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Does West Virginia accept a Georgia CPA license?
Yes — West Virginia recognizes CPA licenses from all states, including Georgia. Apply to the West Virginia Board of Accountancy for a reciprocal license; you will not repeat the full exam or education.
Do I retake the CPA Exam moving from Georgia to West Virginia?
No — the Uniform CPA Exam transfers with your license. The Uniform CPA Examination is never retaken; for a substantially equivalent jurisdiction passage is confirmed through the existing certificate (or the NASBA/AICPA Authorization for Interstate Exchange of Examination and Licensure Information). The Board's rules also require applicants to complete an examination on the West Virginia laws, rules and code of ethical conduct..
Do I need a West Virginia license, or does mobility cover the move?
If West Virginia becomes your principal place of business, you apply to the West Virginia Board of Accountancy for a reciprocal license. If you are only serving West Virginia clients from Georgia, practice privilege usually covers you with no West Virginia license, notice, or fee.
What does the Georgia-to-West Virginia move cost?
$200 (reciprocal application processing fee (same for substantially-equivalent and non-substantially-equivalent tracks); the initial non-reciprocal certificate fee is $120) (reciprocal application processing fee (same for substantially-equivalent and non-substantially-equivalent tracks); the initial non-reciprocal certificate fee is $120).
Can I keep my Georgia CPA license after licensing in West Virginia?
Yes — CPA licenses stack, and many CPAs hold more than one. Keep the Georgia license active (its renewal and CPE run separately) and mobility covers the states where you hold none.
Sources
Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-07-21.
- WV Board of Accountancy — Reciprocal Certification Overview (substantial-equivalency standard; four eligibility instances) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- WV Board of Accountancy — Application for Reciprocal Certificate, Substantially Equivalent State or Jurisdiction ($200 fee) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Georgia State Board of Accountancy — Reciprocal License (must hold active out-of-state license and meet GA education; apply through NASBA) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- NASBA Licensing — Georgia (reciprocal license fee $220; up to two weeks to process a completed file) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Georgia State Board of Accountancy — Frequently Asked Questions (reciprocal applicants; NASBA-processed) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- NASBA — Substantial Equivalency (UAA framework; all 55 US jurisdictions substantially equivalent) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
Reviewed by Billy Reiner, Editor · verified against primary sources 2026-07-21
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