How Much Does CPA Exam & Licensing Cost?
Updated for 2026 — national average costs with state-by-state breakdowns
Low End
$2,000
Average
$3,500
High End
$5,000
total cost
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What Does CPA Exam & Licensing Include?
Becoming a CPA requires passing the Uniform CPA Examination (4 sections), meeting education requirements (150 credit hours), and obtaining a state license. Costs include exam fees, review courses, and licensing fees.
The national average cost for cpa exam & licensing is $3,500 total cost. Most homeowners pay between $2,000 and $5,000, though costs can vary significantly based on your location, the scope of work, and other factors outlined below.
What Affects the Price?
Components
Exam fees (4 sections): $800-$1,000. Review course: $1,500-$3,500. Application/licensing: $150-$500. Ethics exam: $100-$200
Review courses
Becker: $2,500-$3,500. Roger: $2,000-$3,000. Surgent: $1,500-$2,500. Wiley: $1,600-$2,600
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Key Cost Factors
- ✓Review course choice
- ✓Number of exam attempts
- ✓State licensing fees
- ✓Education requirements
- ✓Continuing education
💡 Tips to Save Money
- 1.Employer reimbursement covers CPA costs at many accounting firms
- 2.Used review course materials save 50-70%
- 3.Pass all sections on the first attempt to avoid $200+ re-examination fees per section
- 4.Some states have reciprocity — get licensed in the cheapest state first
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📈 CPA Exam & Licensing Cost Trends (2020–2024)
Prices have increased +17.7% over the last 5 years
$2,973
2020
$3,098
2021
$3,299
2022
$3,391
2023
$3,500
2024
| Year | National Avg | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $2,973 | — |
| 2021 | $3,098 | +4.2% |
| 2022 | $3,299 | +6.5% |
| 2023 | $3,391 | +2.8% |
| 2024 | $3,500 | +3.2% |
Based on national averages adjusted for annual inflation. Actual costs vary by location and project scope.
CPA Exam & Licensing Cost by State
Costs vary significantly by state due to labor rates, cost of living, and local market conditions. Click any state for a detailed breakdown.
| State | Low | Average | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $1,640 | $2,870 | $4,100 |
| Alaska | $2,560 | $4,480 | $6,400 |
| Arizona | $1,900 | $3,325 | $4,750 |
| Arkansas | $1,600 | $2,800 | $4,000 |
| California | $2,700 | $4,725 | $6,750 |
| Colorado | $2,160 | $3,780 | $5,400 |
| Connecticut | $2,440 | $4,270 | $6,100 |
| Delaware | $2,100 | $3,675 | $5,250 |
| Florida | $1,960 | $3,430 | $4,900 |
| Georgia | $1,800 | $3,150 | $4,500 |
| Hawaii | $2,840 | $4,970 | $7,100 |
| Idaho | $1,840 | $3,220 | $4,600 |
| Illinois | $2,100 | $3,675 | $5,250 |
| Indiana | $1,760 | $3,080 | $4,400 |
| Iowa | $1,720 | $3,010 | $4,300 |
| Kansas | $1,700 | $2,975 | $4,250 |
| Kentucky | $1,680 | $2,940 | $4,200 |
| Louisiana | $1,740 | $3,045 | $4,350 |
| Maine | $2,040 | $3,570 | $5,100 |
| Maryland | $2,300 | $4,025 | $5,750 |
| Massachusetts | $2,600 | $4,550 | $6,500 |
| Michigan | $1,840 | $3,220 | $4,600 |
| Minnesota | $2,040 | $3,570 | $5,100 |
| Mississippi | $1,560 | $2,730 | $3,900 |
| Missouri | $1,740 | $3,045 | $4,350 |
| Montana | $1,900 | $3,325 | $4,750 |
| Nebraska | $1,760 | $3,080 | $4,400 |
| Nevada | $2,040 | $3,570 | $5,100 |
| New Hampshire | $2,240 | $3,920 | $5,600 |
| New Jersey | $2,500 | $4,375 | $6,250 |
| New Mexico | $1,800 | $3,150 | $4,500 |
| New York | $2,640 | $4,620 | $6,600 |
| North Carolina | $1,800 | $3,150 | $4,500 |
| North Dakota | $1,800 | $3,150 | $4,500 |
| Ohio | $1,800 | $3,150 | $4,500 |
| Oklahoma | $1,660 | $2,905 | $4,150 |
| Oregon | $2,200 | $3,850 | $5,500 |
| Pennsylvania | $2,040 | $3,570 | $5,100 |
| Rhode Island | $2,300 | $4,025 | $5,750 |
| South Carolina | $1,740 | $3,045 | $4,350 |
| South Dakota | $1,700 | $2,975 | $4,250 |
| Tennessee | $1,720 | $3,010 | $4,300 |
| Texas | $1,860 | $3,255 | $4,650 |
| Utah | $1,900 | $3,325 | $4,750 |
| Vermont | $2,160 | $3,780 | $5,400 |
| Virginia | $2,100 | $3,675 | $5,250 |
| Washington | $2,300 | $4,025 | $5,750 |
| West Virginia | $1,600 | $2,800 | $4,000 |
| Wisconsin | $1,880 | $3,290 | $4,700 |
| Wyoming | $1,840 | $3,220 | $4,600 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to become a CPA?
Most candidates take 12-18 months to pass all four sections while working. You must pass all sections within an 18-month rolling window. Add 1-2 years for the 150 credit hour education requirement if not already met.
🏙️ CPA Exam & Licensing Cost by City
Compare cpa exam & licensing costs in the most popular US cities:
New York City
NY
$5,075
Los Angeles
CA
$4,830
Chicago
IL
$4,025
Houston
TX
$3,325
Phoenix
AZ
$3,430
Philadelphia
PA
$3,920
San Antonio
TX
$3,080
San Diego
CA
$4,620
Dallas
TX
$3,570
San Jose
CA
$5,320
Austin
TX
$3,675
Jacksonville
FL
$3,220
Fort Worth
TX
$3,325
Columbus
OH
$3,150
Charlotte
NC
$3,325
Indianapolis
IN
$3,080
View all 219 cities →
San Francisco, CA
$5,425
Seattle, WA
$4,550
Denver, CO
$4,025
Washington D.C., DC
$4,725
Nashville, TN
$3,500
Oklahoma City, OK
$2,870
El Paso, TX
$2,870
Boston, MA
$4,900
Portland, OR
$4,130
Las Vegas, NV
$3,570
Memphis, TN
$2,870
Louisville, KY
$2,975
Baltimore, MD
$3,850
Milwaukee, WI
$3,220
Albuquerque, NM
$3,080
Tucson, AZ
$3,080
Fresno, CA
$3,675
Sacramento, CA
$4,130
Mesa, AZ
$3,325
Kansas City, MO
$3,150
Atlanta, GA
$3,675
Omaha, NE
$3,080
Colorado Springs, CO
$3,570
Raleigh, NC
$3,430
Long Beach, CA
$4,725
Virginia Beach, VA
$3,675
Miami, FL
$4,200
Oakland, CA
$5,075
Minneapolis, MN
$3,780
Tampa, FL
$3,570
Tulsa, OK
$2,870
Arlington, TX
$3,325
New Orleans, LA
$3,325
Pittsburgh, PA
$3,325
St. Louis, MO
$3,080
Bakersfield, CA
$3,570
Anaheim, CA
$4,725
Honolulu, HI
$5,250
Santa Ana, CA
$4,620
Riverside, CA
$4,025
Corpus Christi, TX
$2,975
Lexington, KY
$3,080
Stockton, CA
$3,850
Henderson, NV
$3,570
St. Paul, MN
$3,675
Cincinnati, OH
$3,080
Anchorage, AK
$4,480
Greensboro, NC
$3,080
Plano, TX
$3,675
Newark, NJ
$4,375
Lincoln, NE
$2,975
Orlando, FL
$3,570
Irvine, CA
$4,900
Durham, NC
$3,325
Chula Vista, CA
$4,480
Toledo, OH
$2,870
Fort Wayne, IN
$2,870
Jersey City, NJ
$4,725
St. Petersburg, FL
$3,570
Laredo, TX
$2,800
Madison, WI
$3,430
Chandler, AZ
$3,430
Buffalo, NY
$3,220
Lubbock, TX
$2,870
Scottsdale, AZ
$3,920
Reno, NV
$3,675
Glendale, AZ
$3,325
Gilbert, AZ
$3,570
Winston-Salem, NC
$2,975
North Las Vegas, NV
$3,430
Norfolk, VA
$3,430
Chesapeake, VA
$3,570
Irving, TX
$3,500
Fremont, CA
$5,075
Richmond, VA
$3,430
Boise, ID
$3,430
San Bernardino, CA
$3,780
Spokane, WA
$3,325
Des Moines, IA
$2,975
Tacoma, WA
$4,025
Modesto, CA
$3,675
Fontana, CA
$3,850
Moreno Valley, CA
$3,780
Fayetteville, NC
$2,975
Birmingham, AL
$2,870
Rochester, NY
$3,220
Salt Lake City, UT
$3,675
Oxnard, CA
$4,270
Knoxville, TN
$2,975
Worcester, MA
$4,025
Brownsville, TX
$2,730
Grand Rapids, MI
$3,150
Newport News, VA
$3,325
Huntsville, AL
$2,975
Amarillo, TX
$2,870
Little Rock, AR
$2,870
Montgomery, AL
$2,800
Akron, OH
$2,870
Augusta, GA
$2,870
Baton Rouge, LA
$2,975
Mobile, AL
$2,800
Shreveport, LA
$2,800
Tallahassee, FL
$3,150
Hartford, CT
$4,025
Providence, RI
$3,920
Charleston, SC
$3,430
Savannah, GA
$3,080
Columbia, SC
$2,975
Chattanooga, TN
$2,975
Fort Lauderdale, FL
$4,130
Dayton, OH
$2,870
Sioux Falls, SD
$2,975
Springfield, MO
$2,800
Jackson, MS
$2,730
Palm Bay, FL
$3,325
Lakeland, FL
$3,220
Cape Coral, FL
$3,430
Pensacola, FL
$3,080
Port St. Lucie, FL
$3,430
Naperville, IL
$4,025
Tempe, AZ
$3,500
Overland Park, KS
$3,325
McKinney, TX
$3,570
Frisco, TX
$3,675
Cary, NC
$3,570
Clarksville, TN
$2,975
Cedar Rapids, IA
$2,870
Peoria, AZ
$3,430
Surprise, AZ
$3,325
Denton, TX
$3,430
Roseville, CA
$4,025
Gainesville, FL
$3,080
Bellevue, WA
$4,900
Murfreesboro, TN
$3,220
Round Rock, TX
$3,570
Columbia, MD
$4,025
Boulder, CO
$4,375
Ann Arbor, MI
$3,850
Santa Fe, NM
$3,675
Wilmington, NC
$3,220
Greenville, SC
$3,080
Fargo, ND
$2,975
Provo, UT
$3,430
Duluth, MN
$3,080
Billings, MT
$3,220
Missoula, MT
$3,430
Cheyenne, WY
$3,080
Burlington, VT
$3,780
Portland, ME
$3,780
Concord, NH
$3,675
Bismarck, ND
$2,975
Rapid City, SD
$2,975
Casper, WY
$3,080
Bangor, ME
$3,325
Charleston, WV
$2,800
Dover, DE
$3,430
Manchester, NH
$3,780
Bridgeport, CT
$4,200
Stamford, CT
$4,725
Wichita, KS
$2,870
Topeka, KS
$2,800
Springfield, IL
$2,975
Rockford, IL
$2,975
Erie, PA
$2,870
Scranton, PA
$2,975
Flint, MI
$2,730
Lansing, MI
$2,975
Syracuse, NY
$3,080
Albany, NY
$3,325
Eugene, OR
$3,675
Salem, OR
$3,570
Fort Collins, CO
$3,850
Pueblo, CO
$2,975
Aurora, CO
$3,780
Santa Barbara, CA
$4,900
Santa Rosa, CA
$4,480
Pasadena, CA
$4,830
Visalia, CA
$3,500
Pomona, CA
$4,130
Myrtle Beach, SC
$3,080
Daytona Beach, FL
$3,220
Sarasota, FL
$3,675
Naples, FL
$4,130
Ocala, FL
$2,975
Athens, GA
$2,975
Macon, GA
$2,800
Lexington, SC
$2,975
Asheville, NC
$3,570
Flagstaff, AZ
$3,780
Rochester, NY
$3,220
New Haven, CT
$3,780
Manchester, NH
$3,675
Augusta, GA
$2,870
Fort Myers, FL
$3,430
Wilmington, NC
$3,325
Arlington, VA
$4,550
Green Bay, WI
$2,975
South Bend, IN
$2,870
Bend, OR
$3,920
Bellingham, WA
$3,850
Midland, TX
$3,325
Waco, TX
$2,870
Newark, NJ
$4,200
Related Cost Guides
💬 What Did You Pay?
Real costs reported by homeowners for CPA Exam & Licensing
$3,342
Avg Reported
$2,339
Lowest Reported
$4,846
Highest Reported
Recent Reports
$3,260
Dallas, TX · Jan 2024
★★★★☆
$3,763
Chicago, IL · Feb 2024
★★★★★
$2,831
Phoenix, AZ · Mar 2024
★★★☆☆
$3,276
Denver, CO · Apr 2024
★★★☆☆
$2,952
Atlanta, GA · May 2024
★★★★★
$4,156
Seattle, WA · Jun 2024
★★★☆☆
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