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

Wisconsin Certified Public Accountant (CPA) License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

State-board requirements, fees, and renewal cycle drawn from official regulator records.

PlainCredential home → About this data

Provides accounting and auditing services. Requires Uniform CPA Exam.

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

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

Upfront cost is $196, with renewal running $164 on a 2-year cycle. 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
21/100
Certified Public Accountant (CPA) · Wisconsin

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
$196
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden F
$82/yr
$164 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 Wisconsin

Education / Training Hours
Bachelors Degree with 150 credit hours
Not specified
Exam Requirement
Uniform CPA Examination
Required
Initial License Fee
$196
Renewal Fee
$164
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 Wisconsin licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Wisconsin licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Wisconsin? ▼
In Wisconsin, the license path calls for, a passing score on Uniform CPA Examination, and a $196 initial fee. A criminal background check is required as well.
How do I get certified as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Wisconsin? ▼
Wisconsin licenses certified public accountant (cpa)s who complete its requirements (1 year of experience) and a passing exam. Verify the latest details with the Wisconsin licensing board.
Can I transfer my Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license to Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin licensing board can confirm the current rules for your credential.
Does Wisconsin require a background check for Certified Public Accountant (CPA) licensing? ▼
Yes, Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin? ▼
Wisconsin ties continued certified public accountant (cpa) licensure to 80 continuing-education hours, due every 2 years, alongside a $164 renewal fee.

Related Guides

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

Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Wisconsin, 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 Wisconsin 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.