Become a CPA

Practical Experience

The CPA certification program requires CPA candidates to complete a term of relevant practical experience.

Experience can be gained through two different routes:

Pre-approved programs (PPR) in which candidates gain relevant experience in training positions pre-approved by the profession

Experience verification (EVR) in which candidates demonstrate relevant experience at an employer of choice

There are five common requirements for meeting the overall practical experience requirements

1. Qualifying Experience

CPA candidates must gain relevant paid employment that is progressively challenging to develop as a professional accountant.

A minimum of 30 months is required; this includes an allowance of up to 20 weeks of time away from work (including vacation, sickness, professional development, and study days).

2. Appropriate Supervision

The supervisor is responsible for either assigning the required experience (PPR) or verifying the experience is factually accurate (EVR).

3. Reporting and Self-Assessment

Practical experience must be captured in the profession’s online practical experience reporting tool (PERT).

The experience report details the duration of the experience, the type of experience being gained, and covers both technical competencies and enabling competencies.

Experience is documented and self-assessed at least twice a year and discussed with the CPA mentor.

4. CPA Mentorship

The candidate meets at least semi-annually with their mentor to review the candidate’s progression towards required competencies.

5. Review by Profession

At key milestones, the CPA candidate's practical experience report must be reviewed by their provincial/regional body.

CPA Practical Experience requirements

Learn more about the CPA Practical Experience requirements in the .PDF below.

Fact sheet: CPA Practical Experience requirements

Overview of the CPA practical experience requirements

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