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

West Virginia 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 West Virginia data shows for Certified Public Accountant (CPA)s

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

Upfront cost is $178, with renewal running $149 on a 2-year cycle. Maintaining the license requires 80 hours of continuing education per 2-year cycle, an ongoing cost applicants often underestimate when budgeting the career.

On reciprocity, certified public accountant (cpa)s should know: CPA mobility: practice rights in all 55 US jurisdictions.

Licensing Ease Score

F
Licensing Ease Score
23/100
Certified Public Accountant (CPA) · West Virginia

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
$178
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden F
$75/yr
$149 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 West Virginia

Education / Training Hours
Bachelors Degree with 150 credit hours
Not specified
Exam Requirement
Uniform CPA Examination
Required
Initial License Fee
$178
Renewal Fee
$149
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 West Virginia licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with West Virginia licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in West Virginia? ▼
In West Virginia, the license path calls for, a passing score on Uniform CPA Examination, and a $178 initial fee. A criminal background check is required as well.
How do I get certified as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in West Virginia? ▼
West Virginia licenses certified public accountant (cpa)s who complete its requirements (1 year of experience) and a passing exam. Verify the latest details with the West Virginia licensing board.
Can I transfer my Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license to West Virginia from another state? ▼
Here's how reciprocity typically plays out for certified public accountant (cpa)s: CPA mobility: practice rights in all 55 US jurisdictions. Many occupations are additionally covered by interstate licensing compacts that ease cross-state moves. Check with the West Virginia licensing board for how this applies to you.
Does West Virginia require a background check for Certified Public Accountant (CPA) licensing? ▼
Yes, West Virginia 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 West Virginia? ▼
To stay licensed as a certified public accountant (cpa) in West Virginia, plan on 80 hours of continuing education per 2-year renewal cycle; renewal itself runs $149.

Related Guides

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

Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in West Virginia, 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 West Virginia 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.