DCCPA Requirements 2026Updated March 2, 2026
District of Columbia CPA Requirements
Everything you need to become a CPA in District of Columbia
150
Credit Hours
1
Year Experience
$175
License Fee
80
CPE Hours/2 Years
Key Facts
- ✓150 credit hours required for licensure
- ✓120 credits to sit for the CPA exam
- ✓Pending 120-credit pathway legislation (Mayor Bowser, Jan 2026)
- ✓No ethics exam required
- ✓1 year of supervised experience required
- ✓80 hours of CPE every 2 years
Education & Experience Requirements
Verify Before Applying: Requirements shown are for informational purposes and may have changed. Always confirm current requirements with the official state board before beginning your application.
Education Requirements
Degree RequiredBachelor's degree
Total Credit Hours150
Accounting Credits24
Business Credits24(for licensure)
Additional Requirements:
- •Must include 24 semester hours in accounting courses
- •Must include 24 semester hours in business courses
District of Columbia offers alternative pathways. See Licensure Pathways below.
Experience Requirements
Total Experience12 months (1 year)
SupervisionLicensed CPA
Acceptable Experience Types:
- ✓Public accounting
- ✓Private industry
- ✓Government
Exam Eligibility
Education to Sit120 credits with 24 accounting + 3 business credits
Credits to Sit120
Accounting Credits to Sit24
Business Credits to Sit3
Minimum Age18 years
Residency RequiredNo
SSN RequiredYes
Licensing & CPE
Initial License Fee$175
Renewal Fee$110
Renewal Period2 years
CPE Hours Required80 per 2 years
Ethics CPE RequiredNo
Exam vs. Licensure: District of Columbia requires different credit thresholds to sit for the CPA exam versus obtaining your license. Business credits: 3 to sit, 24 for licensure. Total credits: 120 to sit, 150 for licensure.
Licensure Pathways
Active
Traditional 150-Credit Pathway
150
Credits
1
Year Exp.
- •150 semester hours including accounting and business concentration
- •1 year of supervised experience under a CPA
Pending
120-Credit + Experience Pathway
120
Credits
2
Years Exp.
- •Pending legislation introduced by Mayor Bowser (January 2026)
- •120 credits with additional supervised experience
- •Not yet enacted — check DC Board of Accountancy for updates
District of Columbia State Board of Accountancy
DC Board of Accountancy
Application Tips
- 1.Verify current requirements on the official state board website before applying
- 2.Have official transcripts sent directly from your educational institution
- 3.Allow 4-6 weeks for application processing
- 4.Keep copies of all submitted documents for your records
Disclaimer: Requirements may change. Always verify current requirements with the District of Columbia State Board of Accountancy before beginning your application. Last updated: 2026-03-02.
District of Columbia CPE & License Renewal
80
CPE Hours Per Period
2 Years
Renewal Cycle
~40
Hours Per Year
Not Required
Ethics CPE
Initial License Fee
$175
Renewal Fee
$110 every 2 years
Frequently Asked Questions
No, the District of Columbia does not require a separate ethics exam for CPA licensure.
Education Programs for District of Columbia
1 programs meet CPA education requirements in District of Columbia. Browse by category to find the right fit.
Related Resources
Planning your CPA journey in District of Columbia? These guides can help.
Ready to Start Studying?
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