CPA in California

Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for CA. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.

Median annual salary

$96,360

trending_up +18.0% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, California.

engineering

173,370

Jobs (CA)

monitoring Strong

+4.6%

10-yr job growth

payments

$1,350

Est. total cost

schedule

1-2 years post-bachelor's degree

Time to complete

route How to become a cpa in California

To become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in California, candidates must meet specific education, examination, and experience requirements set by the California Board of Accountancy (CBA). This includes a bachelor's degree with 150 semester hours, passing the Uniform CPA Examination, and completing 12 months (2040 hours) of general accounting experience supervised by a licensed CPA. Additionally, applicants must pass a Professional Ethics for CPAs (PETH) exam for initial licensure, or a CBA-approved regulatory review course for first renewal if licensed after July 1, 2024. California does not offer reciprocity for out-of-state CPAs, requiring them to fulfill California's specific licensing criteria.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $60,920

25th percentile $76,210

50th (median) $96,360

75th percentile $124,890

90th (experienced) $162,150

Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for California. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.

checklist California requirements

Licensing body	California Board of Accountancy (CBA)
State license	Required
Education	Bachelor's degree with 150 semester hours
Experience	2,040.0 hours
Exam	Uniform CPA Examination ($1,051)
Application fee	$100
Renewal	Every 2.0 years
Continuing education	80.0 hours per cycle
Notes	Requires passing the Professional Ethics for CPAs (PETH) exam for initial licensure, though effective July 1, 2024, a CBA-approved regulatory review course is required for the first license renewal instead of the PETH exam. California has specific coursework requirements for ethics and accounting subjects. No minimum age, residency, or citizenship requirements to sit for the exam, but a Social Security or Taxpayer Identification Number is required for licensure. A background check with fingerprinting is also required.

Source: California Board of Accountancy (CBA)

work_outline Job outlook

10-year growth

+4.6%

Faster than average

Annual openings

124,200

Nationwide per year

Total employment

1,579,800

Nationwide

neurology

AI & tech impact

error High exposure 1.48/1.00

Many tasks in this career are susceptible to AI automation. Long-term career planning should account for potential disruption.

hub

balance Is it worth it?

Rough payback period

0 months

~$1,350 investment ÷ $96,360 median salary

check_circleCalifornia license required — clearer credential signal to employers
warningElevated AI disruption risk

psychology

Wondering if a cpa career is the right fit?

See what the day actually looks like, who the role suits, and who should skip it — grounded in real practitioner sources.

arrow_forward

Frequently asked questions

What's required to work as a cpa in California? expand_more

The path to cpa licensure in California: complete the required education (Bachelor's degree with 150 semester hours), gain 2,040.0 hours of supervised experience, pass the Uniform CPA Examination, and submit your application ($100 fee).

Is a cpa license required in California? expand_more

You cannot practice as a cpa in California without a state license from California Board of Accountancy (CBA). The required exam is the Uniform CPA Examination.

What is the average cpa salary in California? expand_more

cpas in California earn a median of $96,360 annually. — 18% higher than the $81,680 national figure. Entry-level (10th percentile) starts at $60,920, while experienced professionals (90th percentile) earn $162,150.

What's the total cost to get cpa certified in California? expand_more

Costs include exam fee ($1,051) and application fee ($100). The estimated total investment is $1,350, including education and training.

How long does it take to become a cpa in California? expand_more

Expect to spend 1-2 years post-bachelor's degree from start to finish in California — covering coursework, supervised experience, and examination.

What's required to renew a cpa license in California? expand_more

To keep your license active, California mandates 80.0 CE hours every 2.0 years.