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

Ohio Certified Public Accountant (CPA) License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

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 Ohio data shows for Certified Public Accountant (CPA)s

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

Budget $281 to get started, plus $230 at each renewal 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
15/100
Certified Public Accountant (CPA) · Ohio

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
$281
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden F
$115/yr
$230 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 Ohio

Education / Training Hours
Bachelors Degree with 150 credit hours
Not specified
Exam Requirement
Uniform CPA Examination
Required
Initial License Fee
$281
Renewal Fee
$230
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 Ohio licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Ohio licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Ohio? ▼
In Ohio, the license path calls for, a passing score on Uniform CPA Examination, and a $281 initial fee. A criminal background check is required as well.
How do I get certified as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Ohio? ▼
Certification as a certified public accountant (cpa) in Ohio means clearing the state's checklist plus 1 year of work experience, and a passing exam score. The Ohio licensing board can confirm the current details.
Can I transfer my Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license to Ohio 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 Ohio licensing board to confirm how it applies to your specific credential.
Does Ohio require a background check for Certified Public Accountant (CPA) licensing? ▼
Yes, Ohio 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 Ohio? ▼
Licensed certified public accountant (cpa)s in Ohio must complete 80 hours of continuing education every 2 years. The renewal fee is $230.

Related Guides

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

Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Ohio, 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 Ohio 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.