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

Colorado Certified Public Accountant (CPA) License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

What the state board actually requires: fees, renewal cycle, and requirements from official records.

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Provides accounting and auditing services. Requires Uniform CPA Exam.

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

Becoming a licensed certified public accountant (cpa) in Colorado means clearing a defined set of hurdles: board-approved training, a passing score on Uniform CPA Examination, and 1 year of supervised work experience, plus a background history check once the applicant turns 18. Colorado regulators place this credential inside their licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Bachelors Degree with 150 credit hours".

The initial price tag is $433, and renewal costs $348 every 2 years. 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) · Colorado

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
$433
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden F
$174/yr
$348 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 Colorado

Education / Training Hours
Bachelors Degree with 150 credit hours
Not specified
Exam Requirement
Uniform CPA Examination
Required
Initial License Fee
$433
Renewal Fee
$348
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 Colorado licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Colorado licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Colorado? ▼
In Colorado, the license path calls for, a passing score on Uniform CPA Examination, and a $433 initial fee. A criminal background check is required as well.
How do I get certified as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Colorado? ▼
Certification as a certified public accountant (cpa) in Colorado means clearing the state's checklist plus 1 year of work experience, and a passing exam score. The Colorado licensing board can confirm the current details.
Can I transfer my Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license to Colorado 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 Colorado licensing board to confirm how it applies to your specific credential.
Does Colorado require a background check for Certified Public Accountant (CPA) licensing? ▼
Yes, Colorado 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 Colorado? ▼
Colorado ties continued certified public accountant (cpa) licensure to 80 continuing-education hours, due every 2 years, alongside a $348 renewal fee.

Related Guides

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

Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Colorado, 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 Colorado 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.