Pennsylvania CPA Requirements
Everything you need to become a CPA in Pennsylvania
Key Facts
- ✓120-credit pathway available since June 30, 2025 (SB 719, Act 27)
- ✓150-credit and graduate degree pathways also available
- ✓PA defines 1 year of experience as 1,600 hours (not 2,000)
- ✓Can sit for exam with 120 credits
- ✓Low initial fee ($65), $100 renewal
*Pennsylvania offers a 120-credit pathway (SB 719) with additional experience requirements. See Licensure Pathways below for details.
International Candidates: Pennsylvania 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 auditing course
Experience Requirements
- ✓Public accounting
- ✓Private industry
- ✓Government
Exam Eligibility
Licensing & CPE
Exam vs. Licensure: Pennsylvania requires different credit thresholds to sit for the CPA exam versus obtaining your license. You can begin testing with 0 accounting credits, but must complete 24 for full licensure. Business credits: 0 to sit, 24 for licensure.
Licensure Pathways
Traditional 150-Credit Pathway
- •150 semester credits
- •24 credits in accounting subjects + additional 12 in accounting/tax
- •1 year of experience (1,600 hours)
120-Credit + Experience Pathway
Effective: June 30, 2025
- •120 semester credits from an accredited institution
- •24 credits in accounting/auditing, business law, finance, technology, or tax
- •2 years of experience (3,200 hours total — PA defines 1 year as 1,600 hours)
Graduate Degree Pathway
Effective: June 30, 2025
- •Master's or post-graduate degree
- •24 credits in same subject areas
- •1 year of experience (1,600 hours)
Pennsylvania State Board of Accountancy
Pennsylvania State 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
Pennsylvania CPE & License Renewal
Frequently Asked Questions
Education Programs for Pennsylvania
21 programs meet CPA education requirements in Pennsylvania. Browse by category to find the right fit.
Online MAcc
9Arizona 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 North Carolina at Chapel Hill
AACSBOnline Master of Accounting (MAC)
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
University of Scranton
AACSBOnline Master of Accountancy
Campus MAcc
5University of Michigan
AACSBMaster of Accounting (MAcc)
University of Texas at Austin
AACSBMaster in Professional Accounting (Traditional MPA)
University of Notre Dame
AACSBMS in Accountancy
Ohio State University
AACSBMaster of Accounting
Boston College
AACSBMS in Accounting
Certificates
1MST Programs
3Villanova 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)
Related Resources
Planning your CPA journey in Pennsylvania? These guides can help.
Ready to Start Studying?
Find the perfect CPA review course for your Pennsylvania CPA journey.