How much experience is required for New Hampshire CPA?

Under the 150-credit pathway, New Hampshire requires 1 year (1,500 hours) of full-time experience certified by a CPA. Under the new 120-credit pathway (HB 1259), 2 years of supervised experience is required. Part-time experience is also accepted, with 2,080 hours required over up to 5 years for the 1-year pathway.

What changed with New Hampshire HB 1259?

[Signed by Gov. Kelly Ayotte in April 2026](/news/four-states-cpa-pathway-april-2026), HB 1259 added a bachelor + 2 years experience pathway and grants practice privileges to CPAs licensed in other states with comparable requirements (interstate mobility). The traditional 150-credit pathway with 1 year (1,500 hours) of experience remains available.

NHCPA Requirements 2026Updated July 27, 2026

New Hampshire CPA Requirements

Everything you need to become a CPA in New Hampshire

120/150

Credit Hours*

Year Experience

$201

License Fee

CPE Hours/2 Years

Key Facts

✓HB 1259 (Chapter 34) signed April 22, 2026 — 120-credit + 2 years pathway in effect immediately
✓CPA mobility provisions for out-of-state CPAs added under same bill
✓150-credit pathway with 1 year (1,500 hours) preserved
✓Does not require SSN (popular for international candidates)
✓80 hours of CPE per 2-year period (minimum 20 per year, 4 hours of ethics)

*New Hampshire offers a 120-credit pathway (HB 1259) with additional experience requirements. See Licensure Pathways below for details.

International Candidates: New Hampshire 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

Degree RequiredBachelor's degree

Total Credit Hours150

Accounting Credits30

Business Credits24

Additional Requirements:

•Must include auditing course

New Hampshire offers alternative pathways. See Licensure Pathways below.

Experience Requirements

Total Experience12 months (1 year)

SupervisionLicensed CPA (U.S. or qualifying foreign designation per RSA 309-B:7,X)

Acceptable Experience Types:

✓Public accounting
✓Private industry
✓Government

Exam Eligibility

Education to SitBachelor's degree with accounting concentration

Accounting Credits to Sit30

Business Credits to Sit24

Minimum AgeNone

Residency RequiredNo

SSN RequiredNo

Licensing & CPE

Initial License Fee$201

Renewal Fee$201

Renewal Period2 years

CPE Hours Required80 per 2 years

Ethics CPE RequiredYes

Licensure Pathways

Active

Traditional 150-Credit Pathway

150

Credits

Year Exp.

•150 semester hours with accounting concentration
•1 year (1,500 hours) of supervised experience
•Preserved alongside the new bachelor + 2 year pathway

ActiveHB 1259

120-Credit + Experience Pathway

120

Credits

Years Exp.

Effective: April 22, 2026

•Bachelor's degree with accounting concentration
•2 years of supervised experience
•Modifies education requirements and adds practice privileges for out-of-state CPAs
•Signed by Gov. Kelly Ayotte on April 22, 2026 (Chapter 34); effective immediately

New Hampshire State Board of Accountancy

New Hampshire Board of Accountancy

Visit Official Website

(603) 271-2152

accountancy@oplc.nh.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 New Hampshire State Board of Accountancy before beginning your application. Last updated: 2026-07-27.