Maryland lawmakers approved a bill creating an alternative pathway to CPA licensure, and it awaits the signature of Gov. Wes Moore, after which it will go into effect on Oct. 1, 2026.
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House Bill 643 creates a third path to licensure, allowing candidates to earn their CPA license with a bachelor’s degree, two years of experience and passage of the CPA exam. The existing pathways will remain in place: a bachelor’s degree with a concentration in accounting plus 30 additional credit-hours of college-level education, or a master’s degree in accounting. Both require one year of work experience and passing the CPA exam.
The bill, which was supported by the Maryland Association of CPAs, passed through both the House and Senate with unanimous approval. It was sponsored by Delegates Kriselda Valderrama, Lily Qi and William Wivell.
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“This is a tremendous victory for Maryland’s CPA profession,” Rebekah Olson, CEO of MACPA , said in a statement. “This new pathway will open doors for more CPA candidates while helping employers address critical talent needs. It strengthens the pipeline without compromising the rigor and trust that define the CPA credential.”
Maryland is the latest of dozens of states to enact similar legislative changes in a profession-wide effort to address the talent shortage and make the accounting profession more accessible.
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