Florida CPA Requirements
Everything you need to become a CPA in Florida
Key Facts
- ✓Does not require SSN (popular for international candidates)
- ✓150 credits required for licensure
- ✓30 upper-division accounting + 36 general business hours (incl. 3 hours of business law)
- ✓80 hours of CPE required every 2 years
International Candidates: Florida does not require a Social Security Number (SSN), making it a popular choice for international CPA candidates.
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
- •Must include upper-level accounting courses
- •3 semester hours in business law
Experience Requirements
- ✓Public accounting
- ✓Private industry
- ✓Government
Exam Eligibility
Rule 61H1-27.002(8) and (9) waive everything above a baccalaureate for anyone already licensed and in good standing with five years of public accounting practice, whether in a US state or in a country recognized by NASBA's International Qualifications Appraisal Board. An internationally qualified accountant meeting that test does not need the 24 and 24.
Licensing & CPE
Exam vs. Licensure: Florida requires different credit thresholds to sit for the CPA exam versus obtaining your license. You can begin testing with 24 accounting credits, but must complete 30 for full licensure. Business credits: 24 to sit, 36 for licensure. Total credits: 120 to sit, 150 for licensure.
Licensure Pathways
Traditional 150-Credit Pathway
- •150 semester hours
- •30 upper-level accounting credits
- •36 business hours including 3 hours of business law
- •1 year of experience
Modernized CPA Pathway
- •SB 364 (Sen. Joe Gruters) passed the Senate 35-0 but died in House Messages; HB 333 (Rep. Blanco) died in subcommittee
- •The bill did not pass before the 2026 legislative session adjourned, so it is not law for 2026
- •FICPA plans to refile the pathway legislation in the 2027 session
- •Proposes multiple pathways including bachelor's + experience and master's + 1 year experience
Florida State Board of Accountancy
Florida 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
Florida CPE & License Renewal
Frequently Asked Questions
Education Programs for Florida
37 programs meet CPA education requirements in Florida. Browse by category to find the right fit.
Online MAcc
15Arizona State University
AACSBOnline Master of Accountancy and Data Analytics
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
AACSBiMSA (Online Master of Science in Accountancy)
Western Governors University
ACBSPMaster of Science in Accounting
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
AACSBMaster of Accountancy (MAcc) Accelerated Online
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
AACSBOnline Master of Accounting (MAC)
Auburn University
AACSBOnline Master of Accountancy (MAcc)
Rutgers University — Camden
AACSBOnline Master of Accountancy (MAcc)
Ohio University
AACSBOnline Master of Accountancy and Analytics
Syracuse University
AACSBM.S. in Professional Accounting (Online) (Whitman)
Liberty University
ACBSPOnline MS in Accounting
Southern Illinois University Carbondale
AACSBOnline Master of Accountancy (MAcc)
Texas A&M University
AACSBFlex Online MS Accounting (Mays)
University of Massachusetts Amherst
AACSBOnline MS in Accounting (Isenberg)
University of Georgia
AACSBOnline Master of Professional Accountancy
University of Scranton
AACSBOnline Master of Accountancy
Campus MAcc
8University of Michigan
AACSBMaster of Accounting (MAcc)
University of Texas at Austin
AACSBMaster in Professional Accounting (Traditional MPA)
University of Notre Dame
AACSBMS in Accountancy
Wake Forest University
AACSBMS in Accountancy
Boston College
AACSBMS in Accounting
Vanderbilt University
AACSBMaster of Accountancy
University of Southern California
AACSBMaster of Accounting
California State University, Dominguez Hills
AACSBMaster of Science in Accounting
150-Hour Pathways
3MST Programs
5Golden Gate University
WSCUCMaster of Science in Taxation
Villanova University
AACSBMaster of Taxation
Bentley University
AACSB (separate accounting accreditation)MS in Accounting — Taxation Concentration
American University
AACSB (Kogod School of Business)Graduate Certificate in Taxation (Kogod)
University of Southern California
AACSBMaster of Business Taxation (Working Professionals)
MBA Accounting
5Pace University
AACSBMBA in Public Accounting (CPA Prep)
Emporia State University
AACSBOnline MBA — Management Accounting Concentration
Florida Atlantic University
AACSBOnline MBA with Accounting Specialization
University of Scranton
AACSBOnline MBA with Accounting Specialization
Northeastern University
AACSBMS Accounting / MBA Dual Degree
Related Resources
Planning your CPA journey in Florida? These guides can help.
Ready to Start Studying?
Find the perfect CPA review course for your Florida CPA journey.