After decades of high hurdles, North Carolina has opened a new door to CPA (Certified Public Accountant) licensure. The Accounting Workforce Development Act (Senate Bill 321) introduces a new pathway to CPA licensure starting Jan. 1, 2026.
The bill passed unanimously with votes of 109-0 in the Senate and 45-0 in the House. North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein signed it into law on July 1.
Two ways to get licensed
For over 20 years, becoming a CPA meant earning 150 college credits, passing the demanding CPA exam, and completing a year of professional experience. The requirement to earn 150 credits essentially meant a graduate degree or another 30 credits (one extra year of college), since undergraduate programs only offer 120 credit hours. That extra time and cost pushed many students away from pursuing accounting as a career, according to the NC Association of CPAs (NCACPA).
The alternative path requires a bachelor’s degree in accounting, two years of supervised CPA experience, and passing the same exam. Ultimately, this new pathway removes the need for graduate or additional school. Additionally, it allows aspiring CPAs to replace what would be a year of paying for school with the ability to earn money and gain work experience.
Applicants who qualify through either route can be licensed through the North Carolina State Board of CPA Examiners.
Why It Happened
The new law is a response to a shortage of licensed CPAs in North Carolina. According to the NCACPA, factors such as Baby Boomer retirements, high education costs, and fewer high school graduates pursuing accounting careers have resulted in this shortage.
The financial strain on aspiring CPAs is significant, with North Carolina borrowers carrying over $53.5 billion in student loan debt, according to the Education Data Initiative. The average debt for those who hold a masters degree in the US exceeds $60,000.
On top of the cost of a fifth year of college, candidates must also pay hundreds of dollars in CPA exam fees. The application fee for the exam is $230, and each exam section costs $262.64.
These costs may be necessary more than once. The exam is split into four sections, and NC law requires that each must be passed within a 30-month window. Failing to complete all sections in time can mean retaking and repaying for expired parts. The re-exam application fee costs $75.
Many accounting firms — including the “Big Four”: KPMG, Deloitte, Ernst & Young (EY), and PwC — offer reimbursement for CPA exam fees as incentives for employees to pursue certification. Some even offer bonuses for obtaining certification within a certain time frame or provide study materials and paid time off to study for and take the exams.
Support from NCACPA
The NCACPA backed the legislation, with its board voting unanimously in favor in early 2025.
At a ceremony where Gov. Stein took action on several bills, NCACPA Board Chair Kelly Puryear spoke on the passage of SB 321.
“Senate Bill 321 represents thoughtful, forward-looking reform that addresses one of the most pressing challenges facing our profession: the shrinking CPA pipeline,” said Puryear.
He noted the broad effect that the change may have in the state.
“It opens the door for capable, motivated students and strengthens the pipeline of talent needed to serve our businesses, communities, and economy,” said Puryear.
Stein made the following statement on the passage of Senate Bill 321:
“This bill gives people more paths to obtaining their CPA license without reducing rigor or lowering our state’s standards.”
Part of a National Shift
North Carolina joins over 20 other states exploring alternatives to the traditional licensure requirements. Most aim for changes by 2026 or 2027.
North Carolina already allows CPAs from other states to work here without extra certification, thanks to the recent passage of HB 763 — the Neighbor State License Recognition Act.
These steps represent a significant push to remove workforce barriers in North Carolina.
The post New NC law creates alternative path to CPA licensure first appeared on Carolina Journal.
The post New NC law creates alternative path to CPA licensure appeared first on First In Freedom Daily.
Click this link for the original source of this article.
Author: Kerri Carswell
This content is courtesy of, and owned and copyrighted by, https://firstinfreedomdaily.com and its author. This content is made available by use of the public RSS feed offered by the host site and is used for educational purposes only. If you are the author or represent the host site and would like this content removed now and in the future, please contact USSANews.com using the email address in the Contact page found in the website menu.
