2026 data Arizona board official source

Arizona Certified Public Accountant (CPA) License Requirements

State-board requirements, fees, and renewal cycle drawn from official regulator records.

Provides accounting and auditing services. Requires Uniform CPA Exam.

What the Arizona data shows for Certified Public Accountant (CPA)s

Arizona sets the entry bar for certified public accountant (cpa)s at board-approved training and a passing score on Uniform CPA Examination, with 1 year of supervised work experience expected. A background check is a standard part of the process, and applicants must be 18 or older. The credential is administered under Arizona's licensing regime, which classifies the training track as "Bachelors Degree with 150 credit hours".

The initial price tag is $425, and renewal costs $341 every 2 years. Renewal isn't the end of the cost: 80 hours of continuing education are due every 2-year cycle, a recurring time commitment worth planning for.

Reciprocity for this profession works like this: CPA mobility: practice rights in all 55 US jurisdictions.

Licensing Ease Score

F
Licensing Ease Score
11/100
Certified Public Accountant (CPA) · Arizona

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training N/A
N/A
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$425
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden F
$171/yr
$341 every 2 years
Continuing Education F
40.0 hrs/yr
80 hours every 2 years
Experience Required F
1 year
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in Arizona

Education / Training Hours
Bachelors Degree with 150 credit hours
Not specified
Exam Requirement
Uniform CPA Examination
Required
Initial License Fee
$425
Renewal Fee
$341
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Continuing Education
80 hrs/cycle
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
18 years
Work Experience Required
1 year
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Arizona licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Arizona?
Arizona requires, passing an exam (Uniform CPA Examination), and an initial fee of $425. A criminal background check is also required.
How do I get certified as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Arizona?
Certification as a certified public accountant (cpa) in Arizona means clearing the state's checklist plus 1 year of work experience, and a passing exam score. The Arizona licensing board can confirm the current details.
Can I transfer my Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license to Arizona from another state?
For certified public accountant (cpa)s, the reciprocity landscape looks like this: CPA mobility: practice rights in all 55 US jurisdictions. Many professions are also covered by interstate licensing compacts that facilitate portability between states. Contact the Arizona licensing board to confirm how it applies to your specific credential.
Does Arizona require a background check for Certified Public Accountant (CPA) licensing?
Arizona does require a background check before issuing a certified public accountant (cpa) license. What counts as disqualifying, and how it's reviewed, is up to the state licensing board.
What are the continuing education requirements for Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Arizona?
Arizona ties continued certified public accountant (cpa) licensure to 80 continuing-education hours, due every 2 years, alongside a $341 renewal fee.

What to do with this certified public accountant (cpa) license

Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Arizona, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in a certified public accountant (cpa)-wide, 50-state comparison.

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Arizona licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.