Is DC getting a 120-credit pathway?

Very likely, but it is not law yet. The DC Council unanimously passed B26-0494 on July 14, 2026, creating a pathway of a bachelor's degree with an accounting concentration (or equivalent coursework) plus 2 years of CPA-verified experience. The bill also adopts individual-based mobility for out-of-state CPAs. Mayor Bowser signed it on August 10, 2026 as D.C. Act 26-412. It still needs to clear a 30-day congressional review before becoming law, so the traditional 150-credit requirement applies until then.

How many credits do I need to sit for the CPA exam in DC?

DC requires 120 credit hours with 24 accounting credits and 3 business credits to sit for the CPA exam. Full licensure requires 150 credits.

DCCPA Requirements 2026Updated August 31, 2026

District of Columbia CPA Requirements

Everything you need to become a CPA in District of Columbia

150

Credit Hours

Year Experience

$175

License Fee

CPE Hours/2 Years

Key Facts

✓150 credit hours required for licensure
✓120 credits to sit for the CPA exam
✓120-credit pathway signed by Mayor Bowser August 10, 2026 (D.C. Act 26-412); awaiting 30-day congressional review
✓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 credits covering financial accounting, auditing, cost accounting and federal income taxes, plus 3 credits specifically in commercial law

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

Year Exp.

•150 semester hours including accounting and business concentration
•1 year of supervised experience under a CPA

PendingB26-0494

120-Credit + Experience Pathway

120

Credits

Years Exp.

•B26-0494 passed the DC Council unanimously on final reading July 14, 2026; signed by Mayor Bowser August 10, 2026 as D.C. Act 26-412
•Not yet law: awaiting mayoral signature, then a 30-day congressional review period
•Bachelor's with an accounting concentration (or equivalent coursework) + 2 years of CPA-verified experience
•Bill also adopts individual-based practice privilege (automatic mobility) for out-of-state CPAs
•Introduced November 20, 2025 at the request of Mayor Bowser

District of Columbia State Board of Accountancy

DC Board of Accountancy

Visit Official Website

(202) 671-4500

dlcp@dc.gov

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: 2026-08-31.