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

North Carolina Certified Public Accountant (CPA) License Requirements

Compiled from official source data by PlainCredential

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 North Carolina data shows for Certified Public Accountant (CPA)s

North Carolina'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. North Carolina folds the credential into its broader occupational licensing statute, which classifies the training track as "Bachelors Degree with 150 credit hours".

Upfront cost is $251, with renewal running $206 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 Requirements in North Carolina

Education / Training Hours
Bachelors Degree with 150 credit hours
Not specified
Exam Requirement
Uniform CPA Examination
Required
Initial License Fee
$251
Renewal Fee
$206
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Continuing Education
80 hrs/cycle
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
18 years
Work Experience Required
1 year

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in North Carolina? ▼
North Carolina requires, passing an exam (Uniform CPA Examination), and an initial fee of $251. A criminal background check is also required.
How do I get certified as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in North Carolina? ▼
To become a licensed certified public accountant (cpa) in North Carolina, you must meet the state's requirements and 1 year of work experience. You must also pass the required examination. Contact the North Carolina licensing board to verify current requirements.
Can I transfer my Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license to North Carolina from another state? ▼
Reciprocity for certified public accountant (cpa)s nationally works like this: CPA mobility: practice rights in all 55 US jurisdictions. Beyond that baseline, interstate compacts exist for many professions and may smooth a transfer into North Carolina. Verify the specifics with the North Carolina licensing board.
Does North Carolina require a background check for Certified Public Accountant (CPA) licensing? ▼
A criminal background check is mandatory for certified public accountant (cpa) licensing in North Carolina. The state licensing board sets the disqualifying-offense criteria and review process.
What are the continuing education requirements for Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in North Carolina? ▼
To stay licensed as a certified public accountant (cpa) in North Carolina, plan on 80 hours of continuing education per 2-year renewal cycle; renewal itself runs $206.

Related Guides

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

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