States overhaul 150-hour rule | Accounting Today

The accounting profession is nearly finished with its overhaul of CPA licensure requirements.

The profession has been dealing with a talent shortage for decades — not enough students are studying accounting, few go on to earn their CPA license, and even fewer are staying at firms until they reach partner level. But by altering the 150-credit-hour requirement, the profession hopes to make accounting more attractive and accessible by removing the costly, time-consuming fifth year of education and substituting it with work experience. 

In just a few short years, 49 U.S. jurisdictions have submitted licensure and practice mobility bills, with six more to go. Thirty-nine have signed changes into law and 23 are already effective. The remaining jurisdictions are expected to propose and pass changes by the end of next year.

“From this 50,000 foot level, it is a tremendous success for the profession in terms of creating access for candidates,” James Cox, state legislative director at the AICPA, told Accounting Today. “It’s a testament to the strength of state CPA societies that are at the forefront of this effort at the state level.”

Changes are actively being pursued in Michigan, Florida, Massachusetts, the District of Columbia, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The Michigan House passed a licensure and mobility bill, and it now sits in the Senate. Florida ended this year’s legislative session without passing its bill. The Massachusetts Senate passed a bill, and it now sits with the House. Washington, D.C. introduced a bill last November. And the Guam Board of Accountancy and the U.S. Virgin Islands Board of Public Accountancy are currently working to update their rules. 

Only North Dakota, Wyoming, Maine, the Northern Mariana Islands and American Samoa remain. Both North Dakota and Wyoming are planning to draft legislation in 2027 due to their states’ legislative calendars. Maine will submit a bill this December for hearing in 2027.