Certified Public Accountant (CPA) / California
2026 data California board official source

California Certified Public Accountant (CPA) License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

Official regulator records behind the requirements, fees, and renewal cycle for this license.

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Provides accounting and auditing services. Requires Uniform CPA Exam.

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

California's path to certified public accountant (cpa) licensure runs through board-approved instruction, 1 year of supervised work experience, and a passing score on Uniform CPA Examination, plus a criminal history screening before applicants younger than 18 can be licensed. California folds the credential into its broader occupational licensing statute, which classifies the training track as "Bachelors Degree with 150 credit hours".

Upfront cost is $494, with renewal running $395 on a 2-year cycle. Maintaining the license requires 80 hours of continuing education per 2-year cycle, an ongoing cost applicants often underestimate when budgeting the career.

For certified public accountant (cpa)s, the reciprocity picture is: CPA mobility: practice rights in all 55 US jurisdictions.

Licensing Ease Score

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

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
$494
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden F
$198/yr
$395 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 California

Education / Training Hours
Bachelors Degree with 150 credit hours
Not specified
Exam Requirement
Uniform CPA Examination
Required
Initial License Fee
$494
Renewal Fee
$395
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Continuing Education
80 hrs/cycle
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
18 years
Work Experience Required
1 year

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Certified Public Accountant (CPA) All California licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with California licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in California? ▼
California requires, passing an exam (Uniform CPA Examination), and an initial fee of $494. A criminal background check is also required.
How do I get certified as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in California? ▼
Certification as a certified public accountant (cpa) in California means clearing the state's checklist plus 1 year of work experience, and a passing exam score. The California licensing board can confirm the current details.
Can I transfer my Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license to California 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 California licensing board to confirm how it applies to your specific credential.
Does California require a background check for Certified Public Accountant (CPA) licensing? ▼
Yes, California requires a criminal background check as part of the certified public accountant (cpa) licensing process. Disqualifying offenses and review criteria are determined by the state licensing board.
What are the continuing education requirements for Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in California? ▼
California ties continued certified public accountant (cpa) licensure to 80 continuing-education hours, due every 2 years, alongside a $395 renewal fee.

Related Guides

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

Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in California, 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 California 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.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.