2026 data Delaware board official source

Delaware Certified Public Accountant (CPA) License Requirements

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

Provides accounting and auditing services. Requires Uniform CPA Exam.

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

Becoming a licensed certified public accountant (cpa) in Delaware 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. Delaware regulators place this credential inside their licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Bachelors Degree with 150 credit hours".

Upfront cost is $299, with renewal running $244 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.

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

Licensing Ease Score

F
Licensing Ease Score
14/100
Certified Public Accountant (CPA) · Delaware

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
$299
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden F
$122/yr
$244 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 Delaware

Education / Training Hours
Bachelors Degree with 150 credit hours
Not specified
Exam Requirement
Uniform CPA Examination
Required
Initial License Fee
$299
Renewal Fee
$244
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 Delaware licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Delaware?
Delaware requires, passing an exam (Uniform CPA Examination), and an initial fee of $299. A criminal background check is also required.
How do I get certified as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Delaware?
To become a licensed certified public accountant (cpa) in Delaware, you must meet the state's requirements and 1 year of work experience. You must also pass the required examination. Contact the Delaware licensing board to verify current requirements.
Can I transfer my Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license to Delaware from another state?
Here's how reciprocity typically plays out for certified public accountant (cpa)s: CPA mobility: practice rights in all 55 US jurisdictions. Many occupations are additionally covered by interstate licensing compacts that ease cross-state moves. Check with the Delaware licensing board for how this applies to you.
Does Delaware require a background check for Certified Public Accountant (CPA) licensing?
A criminal background check is mandatory for certified public accountant (cpa) licensing in Delaware. The state licensing board sets the disqualifying-offense criteria and review process.
What are the continuing education requirements for Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Delaware?
Licensed certified public accountant (cpa)s in Delaware must complete 80 hours of continuing education every 2 years. The renewal fee is $244.

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

Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Delaware, 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 Delaware 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.