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

Pennsylvania 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.

PlainCredential home → About this data

Provides accounting and auditing services. Requires Uniform CPA Exam.

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

Becoming a licensed certified public accountant (cpa) in Pennsylvania means clearing a defined set of hurdles: board-approved training, a passing score on Uniform CPA Examination, and 1 year of supervised work experience, plus a background history check once the applicant turns 18. Pennsylvania regulators place this credential inside their licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Bachelors Degree with 150 credit hours".

Budget $305 to get started, plus $249 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.

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

Licensing Ease Score

F
Licensing Ease Score
14/100
Certified Public Accountant (CPA) · Pennsylvania

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
$305
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden F
$125/yr
$249 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 Pennsylvania

Education / Training Hours
Bachelors Degree with 150 credit hours
Not specified
Exam Requirement
Uniform CPA Examination
Required
Initial License Fee
$305
Renewal Fee
$249
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 Pennsylvania licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Pennsylvania licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Pennsylvania? ▼
In Pennsylvania, the license path calls for, a passing score on Uniform CPA Examination, and a $305 initial fee. A criminal background check is required as well.
How do I get certified as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Pennsylvania? ▼
To become a licensed certified public accountant (cpa) in Pennsylvania, you must meet the state's requirements and 1 year of work experience. You must also pass the required examination. Contact the Pennsylvania licensing board to verify current requirements.
Can I transfer my Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license to Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania licensing board can confirm the current rules for your credential.
Does Pennsylvania require a background check for Certified Public Accountant (CPA) licensing? ▼
Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania? ▼
Pennsylvania ties continued certified public accountant (cpa) licensure to 80 continuing-education hours, due every 2 years, alongside a $249 renewal fee.

Related Guides

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

Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Pennsylvania, 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 Pennsylvania 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.