CPA Requirements in Connecticut

With about 16,300 practicing in the state, Connecticut accountants earn a median annual salary of $90,570, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Prospective certified public accountants (CPAs) benefit from recent changes to Connecticut’s CPA requirements. In 2025, the state passed HB 7020. The new law creates a pathway for accountants with a bachelor’s degree that does not require additional coursework.

With new CPA pathways and a two-tier system for CPAs, it’s more important than ever to understand the education, experience, and exam requirements for CPAs in CT.

Before becoming a CPA, candidates must meet their state’s education requirements. Most states require a 120-credit bachelor’s degree plus an additional 30 credits to become a CPA.

Candidates often meet this requirement by completing an accounting graduate certificate or master’s degree after earning their bachelor’s degree. However, Connecticut offers a track for those with a 120-credit bachelor’s degree that does not require 30 additional credits.

CPAs in Connecticut must hold at least a bachelor’s degree. CT CPAs can either complete 30 credits as part of an accounting graduate certificate or earn a master’s degree. A graduate degree in accounting, business, or a related field can meet the educational requirement.

Connecticut’s new pathway allows those with a bachelor’s degree in accounting or a related field to earn a CPA license. These candidates must complete specific accounting courses and additional experience requirements.

Earning an accounting degree is one of the easiest ways to become a CPA in Connecticut, because it should meet the state’s coursework requirements for licensure. Connecticut includes accounting minors and concentrations in their definition of an accounting degree.

Candidates can major in any field as long as they complete specific accounting and business coursework. A master’s in accounting or an MBA in accounting also meet the state’s requirements to become a CPA.

While Connecticut now offers a pathway to CPA licensure for those with 120 credits, the state still sets minimum course requirements. CT CPA candidates must meet the following requirements:

Connecticut considers online and in-person courses the same as long as they’re offered at a regionally accredited college or university. That means candidates with an online accounting degree can become CPAs in Connecticut.

Candidates for a CPA license cannot use commercial CPA review courses to meet the credit requirements. A credit-granting CPA review course may count if taken at a regionally accredited college.

Connecticut’s recent changes to its CPA licensure requirements also impact the experience requirement. Previously, candidates with 150 credits had to complete two years of relevant experience. The new law means that those with 150 credits or a graduate degree only need one year of experience, while those with 120 credits need two years.

Paid work, internships, and co-ops can all count toward the CPA experience requirement? However, licensure candidates must complete the experience requirement under the supervision of someone with a CPA certificate. The supervisor must have earned their CPA credential at least three years before supervising others.

Public practice, industry, or government experience counts toward the requirement. Public practice experience includes working as a staff accountant at a CPA firm or as a sole practitioner.

Industry experience also includes applying accounting, internal control, or income tax knowledge in a role. It can also include tax return preparation, cost accounting, or budgeting experience. Government experience includes working for a federal, state, or municipal accounting agency.

Candidates can only count experience from the prior 10 years. They also must work a minimum of 20 hours per week, while claiming no more than 35 hours per week.

In Connecticut, CPAs must pass the Uniform CPA Examination. This four-part exam tests accounting, taxation, auditing, and reporting knowledge. This section covers the Connecticut requirements to take the CPA exam, how to apply, and how to schedule each section.

In most states, prospective CPAs need a bachelor’s degree to take the CPA exam. In Connecticut, candidates must complete 120 credits, but they can start taking sections of the CPA exam before officially receiving their degree.

The 120-credit eligibility requirement also lists specific coursework requirements, including:

Test-takers must meet all educational requirements before they submit their application to take the CPA exam. That includes submitting transcripts to the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) CPA Examination Services.

Connecticut does not require an age, citizenship, or residency requirement to apply for the CPA exam. However, test-takers must also pass the AICPA’s ethics exam with a score of 90% or higher.

Once candidates meet the requirements, they can take the CPA exam through NASBA.

First, candidates must complete an education evaluation application. They submit official transcripts and pay a $93 fee. First-time applicants can expect to wait 6-8 weeks for NASBA to review their education evaluation application and determine eligibility.

After NASBA finds candidates eligible, they must submit an exam section application. While some states allow test-takers to apply for multiple sections with one application, Connecticut test-takers must submit a separate application for each exam section. The exam registration fee is $93 per section, plus an exam section fee of $263. NASBA will then provide a schedule notice allowing candidates to schedule the section.

Connecticut allows CPA applicants to take the sections in any order. However, CPAs must pass all four sections within 30 months. If it takes longer than 30 months, candidates must retake the section.

Previously, test-takers who failed a section had to wait until the next quarter to retake. However, test-takers can now retake a failed section immediately.

Get more CPA exam resources:

After passing the CPA exam, candidates can apply for their CPA certificate or license. Connecticut is a two-tier state, meaning that a CPA certificate lets accountants use the CPA designation, but they cannot practice as a CPA. A CPA license allows holders to practice as a CPA.

CPAs pay an initial $40 fee for a CPA certificate or a $150 fee for a CPA license.

Candidates can apply online or submit a paper application. They also need to submit an experience verification form.

Only licensed CPAs can open a public accounting firm and sign audit reports.

Connecticut CPAs must renew their credentials every year. The fees and requirements vary for accountants with a CPA certificate and those with a CPA license.

Accountants with a CPA certificate pay a $40 annual renewal fee. They do not need to complete continuing education requirements.

Licensed CPAs pay a $565 annual renewal fee and must complete 40 hours of continuing professional education (CPE) credits annually. Connecticut also requires four hours of ethics education every three years.

CPAs track their CPE hours on the fiscal year calendar, from July 1 to June 30. They must report CPEs by the end of December. The state waives the CPE requirement for the first year of licensure.

Connecticut uses a self-reporting system for CPEs. The Connecticut Society of CPAs provides a list of CPE programs.

Approved accounting courses, teaching accounting, and authoring accounting materials all count toward the CPE requirement. Connecticut allows up to 20 hours as an instructor or 10 hours as an author or writer toward the 40-hour requirement. CPAs completing more than 40 CPE hours can roll up to 20 hours toward next year’s requirements.