Decide the jurisdiction (state) to which you wish to apply, because the requirements for taking the CPA exam (and ultimately obtaining a CPA license) vary by jurisdiction. You can get contact information for all the various Boards of Accountancy from NASBA, the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (see Resources below).
Each jurisdiction has its own application for the CPA exam. Contact your state's Board of Accountancy for the application form.
Education requirements to take the CPA exam vary by jurisdiction, but generally you need a bachelor's degree and a minimum number of semester hours in accounting and/or business classes. You will need to provide an official transcript from your school.
Because moral conduct is an important part of being a CPA, some states may require a letter or certification of moral character from references as part of the application process.
Fees also depend upon jurisdiction, but the average cost for a first-time applicant taking all four parts of the CPA exam ranges from $575 to $800.