Previous Education Requirements
1979 - Nov 1986:
The applicant is required to have a baccalaureate degree in any field. Additionally, there was a provision for acceptance of an equivalency exam; however, no such exam currently exists. Person who originally sat for the exam prior to May 1987, must have passed the exam by the November 1992 exam. If they did not pass the exam by November 1992, to continue to take the exam the applicant was required to have a concentration in accounting.
May 1987 - May 1993:
The applicant is required to have a baccalaureate degree or higher in any field with a concentration in accounting. A concentration in accounting consists of 24 semester (36 quarter) hours in accounting subjects and 24 semester (36 quarter) hours in business administration subjects which include at least one class each in economics, finance, and data processing. Additionally, the provision for acceptance of an equivalency exam remained available through acceptable examination organizations (CLEP & PEP.) Verify that no more than 10 semester or 14.93 quarter hours of lower-level accounting credits are earned.
Nov 1993 - May 2000:
Same as above, but without the requirement for a class in data processing.
July 1, 2000 – May 22, 2016:
Completion of 150 semester (225 quarter) hours of college education including a baccalaureate degree or higher in any field with a concentration in accounting. A concentration in accounting consists of 24 semester (36 quarter) hours in accounting subjects of which 15 semester (22.5 quarter) hours must be at the upper or graduate level (for the purposes of meeting the accounting subsection only, individuals will be given 1.5 credits for each 1.0 graduate level credit of accounting courses taken) and 24 semester (36 quarter) hours in business administration subjects. The provision for an equivalency exam will no longer be available.
May 23, 2016 - March 31, 2023:
Completion of 150 semester (225 quarter) hours of college education including a baccalaureate degree or higher in any field with a concentration in accounting. A concentration in accounting consists of 24 semester (36 quarter) hours in accounting subjects of which 15 semester (22.5 quarter) hours must be at the upper or graduate level and 24 semester (36 quarter) hours in business administration subjects. The provision for an equivalency exam will no longer be available.
April 1, 2023 - present
For CPA Exam: Completion of 120 semester (180 quarter) hours of college education including a baccalaureate degree or higher in any field with a concentration in accounting. A concentration in accounting consists of 24 semester (36 quarter) hours in accounting subjects of which 15 semester (22.5 quarter) hours must be at the upper or graduate level and 24 semester (36 quarter) hours in business administration subjects. The provision for an equivalency exam will no longer be available.
For CPA Licensure: Completion of 150 semester (225 quarter) hours of college education including a baccalaureate degree or higher in any field with a concentration in accounting. A concentration in accounting consists of 24 semester (36 quarter) hours in accounting subjects of which 15 semester (22.5 quarter) hours must be at the upper or graduate level and 24 semester (36 quarter) hours in business administration subjects. The provision for an equivalency exam will no longer be available.
