2026 data Rhode Island board official source

Rhode Island Certified Public Accountant (CPA) License Requirements

Official regulator records behind the requirements, fees, and renewal cycle for this license.

Provides accounting and auditing services. Requires Uniform CPA Exam.

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

Becoming a licensed certified public accountant (cpa) in Rhode Island 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. Rhode Island regulators place this credential inside their licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Bachelors Degree with 150 credit hours".

The initial price tag is $384, and renewal costs $310 every 2 years. The license also carries an ongoing 80-hour continuing-education requirement per 2-year cycle that adds to the true cost of staying licensed.

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

Licensing Ease Score

F
Licensing Ease Score
11/100
Certified Public Accountant (CPA) · Rhode Island

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
$384
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden F
$155/yr
$310 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 Rhode Island

Education / Training Hours
Bachelors Degree with 150 credit hours
Not specified
Exam Requirement
Uniform CPA Examination
Required
Initial License Fee
$384
Renewal Fee
$310
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 Rhode Island licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island's requirements cover, the Uniform CPA Examination exam, and an initial fee of $384. Applicants also go through a criminal background check.
How do I get certified as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Rhode Island?
Certification as a certified public accountant (cpa) in Rhode Island means clearing the state's checklist plus 1 year of work experience, and a passing exam score. The Rhode Island licensing board can confirm the current details.
Can I transfer my Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license to Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island. Verify the specifics with the Rhode Island licensing board.
Does Rhode Island require a background check for Certified Public Accountant (CPA) licensing?
Background screening is part of the certified public accountant (cpa) licensing process in Rhode Island. The state licensing board determines which offenses disqualify an applicant and how appeals are handled.
What are the continuing education requirements for Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Rhode Island?
Licensed certified public accountant (cpa)s in Rhode Island must complete 80 hours of continuing education every 2 years. The renewal fee is $310.

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

Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Rhode Island, 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 Rhode Island 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.