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WICPA Requirements 2026Updated July 27, 2026

Wisconsin CPA Requirements

Everything you need to become a CPA in Wisconsin

120/150
Credit Hours*
1
Year Experience
$43
License Fee
80
CPE Hours/2 Years

Key Facts

  • ✓120-credit pathway now available (Act 166, effective April 3, 2026)
  • ✓150 credit hours still accepted as alternative pathway
  • ✓Can sit for exam with 120 credits
  • ✓1-2 years of supervised experience depending on pathway
  • ✓80 hours of CPE required every 2 years

*Wisconsin offers a 120-credit pathway (2025 Wisconsin Act 166) with additional experience requirements. See Licensure Pathways below for details.

International Candidates: Wisconsin 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 Credits24
Business Credits24
Additional Requirements:
  • •Must include auditing course

Experience Requirements

Total Experience12 months (1 year)
SupervisionLicensed CPA
Acceptable Experience Types:
  • ✓Public accounting
  • ✓Private industry
  • ✓Government

Exam Eligibility

Education to SitA bachelor's degree with 24 accounting credits at the undergraduate level, or 15 at the graduate level, covering financial accounting, cost or managerial accounting, taxation and auditing, plus 24 credits in business and economics other than accounting
Credits to Sit120
Accounting Credits to Sit24
Business Credits to Sit24
These figures depend on your degree

The 24 and 24 are the general route, Accy 2.202(3). A master's in accounting from an AACSB-accredited program carries no hours requirement at all, and a degree from an AACSB, IACBE or ACBSP accredited business program takes 24 accounting hours with no business minimum. Graduate accounting hours count at 15 in place of 24.

Minimum Age18 years
Residency RequiredNo
SSN RequiredNo

Licensing & CPE

Initial License Fee$43
Renewal Fee$43
Renewal Period2 years
CPE Hours Required80 per 2 years
Ethics CPE RequiredYes

Wisconsin State Board of Accountancy

Wisconsin Accounting Examining Board

Visit Official Website(opens in new tab)
(608) 266-2112
dsps@wisconsin.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 Wisconsin State Board of Accountancy before beginning your application. Last updated: 2026-07-27.

Wisconsin CPE & License Renewal

80
CPE Hours Per Period
2 Years
Renewal Cycle
~40
Hours Per Year
Required
Ethics CPE
Initial License Fee
$43
Renewal Fee
$43 every 2 years
Full CPE GuideEstimate Total CPA CostInternational Candidates Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. As of [April 3, 2026, Wisconsin Act 166 created a 120-credit pathway](/news/wisconsin-colorado-120-credit-cpa-pathway-april-2026) requiring a bachelor's degree with accounting concentration plus 2 years of verified experience. The traditional 150-hour pathway also remains available with 1 year of experience.

Education Programs for Wisconsin

2 programs meet CPA education requirements in Wisconsin. Browse by category to find the right fit.

View all 53 education programs

Related Resources

Planning your CPA journey in Wisconsin? These guides can help.

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

Explore Other States

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120/150 credits
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DEDelaware
120/150 credits
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ALAlabama
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AZArizona
120/150 credits
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TXTexas
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