2026 data Hawaii board official source

Hawaii 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 Hawaii data shows for Certified Public Accountant (CPA)s

Becoming a licensed certified public accountant (cpa) in Hawaii 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. Hawaii 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 $405, and renewal costs $326 every 2 years. The license also carries an ongoing 80-hour continuing-education requirement per 2-year cycle that adds to the true cost of staying licensed.

On reciprocity, certified public accountant (cpa)s should know: CPA mobility: practice rights in all 55 US jurisdictions.

Licensing Ease Score

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

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
$405
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden F
$163/yr
$326 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 Hawaii

Education / Training Hours
Bachelors Degree with 150 credit hours
Not specified
Exam Requirement
Uniform CPA Examination
Required
Initial License Fee
$405
Renewal Fee
$326
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 Hawaii licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Hawaii?
Hawaii requires, passing an exam (Uniform CPA Examination), and an initial fee of $405. A criminal background check is also required.
How do I get certified as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Hawaii?
Certification as a certified public accountant (cpa) in Hawaii means clearing the state's checklist plus 1 year of work experience, and a passing exam score. The Hawaii licensing board can confirm the current details.
Can I transfer my Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license to Hawaii 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 Hawaii licensing board for how this applies to you.
Does Hawaii require a background check for Certified Public Accountant (CPA) licensing?
Yes, Hawaii 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 Hawaii?
Licensed certified public accountant (cpa)s in Hawaii must complete 80 hours of continuing education every 2 years. The renewal fee is $326.

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

Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Hawaii, 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 Hawaii 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.