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

Massachusetts Certified Public Accountant (CPA) License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

Requirements, fees, and renewal timing for this license, sourced from state board records.

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Provides accounting and auditing services. Requires Uniform CPA Exam.

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

To practice as a certified public accountant (cpa) in Massachusetts, the state licensing board requires board-approved training, a passing score on Uniform CPA Examination, and 1 year of supervised work experience. A criminal history background check is also part of the application. Applicants must be at least 18 years old. The regulation sits under Massachusetts's professional licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Bachelors Degree with 150 credit hours".

Upfront cost is $336, with renewal running $272 on a 2-year cycle. 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.

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
12/100
Certified Public Accountant (CPA) · Massachusetts

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
$336
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden F
$136/yr
$272 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 Massachusetts

Education / Training Hours
Bachelors Degree with 150 credit hours
Not specified
Exam Requirement
Uniform CPA Examination
Required
Initial License Fee
$336
Renewal Fee
$272
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 Massachusetts licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Massachusetts licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Massachusetts? ▼
In Massachusetts, the license path calls for, a passing score on Uniform CPA Examination, and a $336 initial fee. A criminal background check is required as well.
How do I get certified as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Massachusetts? ▼
Massachusetts licenses certified public accountant (cpa)s who complete its requirements (1 year of experience) and a passing exam. Verify the latest details with the Massachusetts licensing board.
Can I transfer my Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license to Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts licensing board for how this applies to you.
Does Massachusetts require a background check for Certified Public Accountant (CPA) licensing? ▼
Yes, Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts? ▼
To stay licensed as a certified public accountant (cpa) in Massachusetts, plan on 80 hours of continuing education per 2-year renewal cycle; renewal itself runs $272.

Related Guides

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

Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Massachusetts, 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 Massachusetts 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.