2026 data New Jersey board official source

New Jersey Certified Public Accountant (CPA) License Requirements

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

Provides accounting and auditing services. Requires Uniform CPA Exam.

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

New Jersey sets the entry bar for certified public accountant (cpa)s at board-approved training and a passing score on Uniform CPA Examination, with 1 year of supervised work experience expected. A background check is a standard part of the process, and applicants must be 18 or older. The credential is administered under New Jersey's licensing regime, which classifies the training track as "Bachelors Degree with 150 credit hours".

Upfront cost is $342, with renewal running $277 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.

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

Licensing Ease Score

F
Licensing Ease Score
12/100
Certified Public Accountant (CPA) · New Jersey

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
$342
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden F
$139/yr
$277 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 New Jersey

Education / Training Hours
Bachelors Degree with 150 credit hours
Not specified
Exam Requirement
Uniform CPA Examination
Required
Initial License Fee
$342
Renewal Fee
$277
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 New Jersey licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in New Jersey?
New Jersey requires, passing an exam (Uniform CPA Examination), and an initial fee of $342. A criminal background check is also required.
How do I get certified as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in New Jersey?
Certification as a certified public accountant (cpa) in New Jersey means clearing the state's checklist plus 1 year of work experience, and a passing exam score. The New Jersey licensing board can confirm the current details.
Can I transfer my Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license to New Jersey 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 New Jersey licensing board to confirm how it applies to your specific credential.
Does New Jersey require a background check for Certified Public Accountant (CPA) licensing?
New Jersey does require a background check before issuing a certified public accountant (cpa) license. What counts as disqualifying, and how it's reviewed, is up to the state licensing board.
What are the continuing education requirements for Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in New Jersey?
To stay licensed as a certified public accountant (cpa) in New Jersey, plan on 80 hours of continuing education per 2-year renewal cycle; renewal itself runs $277.

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

Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in New Jersey, 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 New Jersey 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.