LACPA Requirements 2026Updated July 27, 2026
Louisiana CPA Requirements
Everything you need to become a CPA in Louisiana
120/150
Credit Hours*
1
Year Experience
$100
License Fee
40
CPE Hours/Year
Key Facts
- ✓Requires an SSN and 120 days of continuous Louisiana residency before applying to sit for the exam
- ✓120-credit pathway enacted (HB 548 / Act 653, signed June 2, 2026; effective August 1, 2026)
- ✓Three alternative pathways replace the sole 150-hour requirement
- ✓1 year of supervised experience (standard) or 2 years (120-credit pathway)
- ✓80 hours of CPE per rolling two-year period (minimum 20 per year), plus a Board-approved ethics course in even-numbered years
*Louisiana offers a 120-credit pathway (HB 548) with additional experience requirements. Effective August 1, 2026. See Licensure Pathways below for details.
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
Additional Requirements:
- •Must include auditing and tax courses
Louisiana 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 SitBachelor's degree with 24 accounting credits
Minimum Age18 years
Residency RequiredYes
SSN RequiredYes
Licensing & CPE
Initial License Fee$100
Renewal Fee$120
Renewal Period1 year
CPE Hours Required40 per year
Ethics CPE RequiredYes
Licensure Pathways
Active
Traditional 150-Credit Pathway
150
Credits
1
Year Exp.
- •150 semester hours with 24 accounting + 24 business credits
- •1 year of supervised experience
EnactedHB 548
120-Credit + Experience Pathway
120
Credits
2
Years Exp.
Effective: August 1, 2026
- •Bachelor's degree with an accounting concentration (120 credits)
- •2 years of supervised experience
- •Passage of the CPA exam
- •Signed by Governor Jeff Landry on June 2, 2026 (Act No. 653)
- •Eliminates the 150-hour requirement as the sole pathway
- •Effective date per the enrolled act (Louisiana regular-session laws default to August 1, 2026 unless otherwise specified)
EnactedHB 548
Bachelor's + 30 Credits Pathway
150
Credits
1
Year Exp.
Effective: August 1, 2026
- •Bachelor's degree plus 30 additional credit hours
- •1 year of supervised experience
- •Passage of the CPA exam
- •Added by HB 548 (signed June 2, 2026; Act No. 653)
EnactedHB 548
Graduate Degree Pathway
150
Credits
1
Year Exp.
Effective: August 1, 2026
- •Graduate or post-baccalaureate degree
- •1 year of supervised experience
- •Passage of the CPA exam
- •Added by HB 548 (signed June 2, 2026; Act No. 653)
Louisiana State Board of Accountancy
Louisiana State Board of CPAs
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 Louisiana State Board of Accountancy before beginning your application. Last updated: 2026-07-27.
Louisiana CPE & License Renewal
40
CPE Hours Per Period
1 Year
Renewal Cycle
~40
Hours Per Year
Required
Ethics CPE
Initial License Fee
$100
Renewal Fee
$120 every 1 year
Frequently Asked Questions
Louisiana is a difficult jurisdiction for international candidates: it requires a Social Security Number and 120 days of continuous Louisiana residence before applying to sit for the exam (La. R.S. 37:75). Candidates without an SSN or Louisiana residency should consider another jurisdiction. Foreign credentials must be evaluated by an approved agency.
Education Programs for Louisiana
9 programs meet CPA education requirements in Louisiana. Browse by category to find the right fit.
Online MAcc
4University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
AACSBMaster of Accountancy (MAcc) Accelerated Online
$14,000 - $15,000·30 credits·online
Auburn University
AACSBOnline Master of Accountancy (MAcc)
$30,000 - $42,000·30 credits·online
Texas A&M University
AACSBFlex Online MS Accounting (Mays)
$46,000 (all-inclusive)·36 credits·online
University of Georgia
AACSBOnline Master of Professional Accountancy
$24,000 - $25,000·36 credits·online
150-Hour Pathways
3Related Resources
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CPA Salary Guide (2026)What to expect after you passCPA Career PathsWhere a CPA license can take youIs the CPA Worth It?ROI analysis for candidatesHow Long to Study for the CPA ExamRealistic timelines by sectionBest CPA Review Courses (2026)All 9 providers rankedFind Courses for Your SituationBrowse by candidate profileCPA Costs by StateInteractive map & data
Ready to Start Studying?
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