If you’re ready to start studying, be sure to check out our CPA Review Course options to find the course that best fits your study style and budget.

Below you will find the appropriate prerequisites, test center locations, exam fees, resources, and contact information to help you better understand all Massachusetts CPA requirements. Please note that obtaining a CPA license in Massachusetts may require additional qualifications, including continuing education or work experience.

CPA Exam Requirements in Massachusetts

Education

Bachelor’s degree required
120 semester hours total, 21 specific accounting and 9 business

View Other Massachusetts Education Requirements.

Residency

U.S. citizenship not required
Massachusetts residency not required

Age

NO Age Requirements

Exam Fees:

Education Evaluation Application Fee $136
Exam Application Fee $148
Core: Auditing and Attestation (AUD) $262.64
Core: Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR) $262.64
Core: Tax and Regulation (REG) $262.64

Discipline (choose 1):
Business Analysis and Reporting (BAR)
Information Systems and Controls (ISC)
Tax Compliance and Planning (TCP)

 $262.64
Total: $1,334.56*

*Note that the fee structure is subject to change.

CPA License Requirements in MA

Education

80 hours of continuing education required

150 semester hours

Work Experience

1 year of work experience required

Other Qualification

Social Security Number required

Pass the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA®) Ethics Exam

To obtain CPA licensure, candidates must complete 150 total credit hours of education, including a bachelor’s degree, and meet one of the following criteria:

  • Option 1: Earn a graduate degree in accounting from a program accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). If the program is not AACSB-accredited, it must be approved by the board or an Educators Credential Committee.
  • Option 2: Earn a graduate degree in accounting, business administration, or law from a regionally or nationally accredited institution. This must include at least 30 undergraduate accounting credits or 18 graduate-level accounting credits, along with 24 undergraduate or 18 graduate-level credits in general business subjects, or an equivalent combination.
  • Option 3: Hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally or nationally accredited institution with at least 30 credit hours in accounting, including auditing, taxation, financial accounting, and management accounting. Additionally, complete 24 credit hours in general business courses, covering business law, finance, information systems, and at least one of the following: business organizations, economics, business communication, or professional ethics.

Work experience is an essential part of meeting Massachusetts CPA requirements. Candidates must meet 1 of the following experience criteria:

  • Public accounting: At least 1 year of experience, completed within a maximum of 3 years, totaling a minimum of 2,000 hours
  • Non-public accounting: Experience may be completed over a period of at least 3 years but no more than 9 years

Now that you know if you qualify to sit for the CPA Exam, it’s time to choose CPA prep that’s right for you. Try our course free for 7 days and discover what makes our CPA Review Courses better than the competition.

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