2026 data New York board official source

New York 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 York data shows for Certified Public Accountant (CPA)s

To practice as a certified public accountant (cpa) in New York, 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 New York's professional licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Bachelors Degree with 150 credit hours".

The initial price tag is $315, and renewal costs $256 every 2 years. 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
13/100
Certified Public Accountant (CPA) · New York

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
$315
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden F
$128/yr
$256 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 York

Education / Training Hours
Bachelors Degree with 150 credit hours
Not specified
Exam Requirement
Uniform CPA Examination
Required
Initial License Fee
$315
Renewal Fee
$256
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 York licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in New York?
In New York, the license path calls for, a passing score on Uniform CPA Examination, and a $315 initial fee. A criminal background check is required as well.
How do I get certified as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in New York?
Certification as a certified public accountant (cpa) in New York means clearing the state's checklist plus 1 year of work experience, and a passing exam score. The New York licensing board can confirm the current details.
Can I transfer my Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license to New York from another state?
Certified Public Accountant (CPA) licenses generally reciprocate as follows: CPA mobility: practice rights in all 55 US jurisdictions. Interstate licensing compacts cover many professions and can further ease a move between states. The New York licensing board can confirm the current rules for your credential.
Does New York require a background check for Certified Public Accountant (CPA) licensing?
Yes, New York 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 New York?
To stay licensed as a certified public accountant (cpa) in New York, plan on 80 hours of continuing education per 2-year renewal cycle; renewal itself runs $256.

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

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