CertOutlook

CPA in Kentucky

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

Median annual salary
$72,220
trending_down -11.6% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Kentucky.

engineering
12,180

Jobs (KY)

monitoring Strong
+4.6%

10-yr job growth

payments
$1,200

Est. total cost

schedule
Varies (exam must be passed within 30 months, license application within 5 years of passing last exam section)

Time to complete

route How to become a cpa in Kentucky

To become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Kentucky, candidates must fulfill specific requirements set by the Kentucky State Board of Accountancy. This includes completing 150 semester hours of education, encompassing a bachelor's or master's degree with a concentration in accounting. Candidates must pass all four sections of the Uniform CPA Examination, and gain 2,000 hours of accounting or auditing experience. Kentucky offers reciprocity for CPAs licensed in other states with substantially equivalent requirements.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $47,880
25th percentile $59,320
50th (median) $72,220
75th percentile $90,170
90th (experienced) $114,800

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

checklist Kentucky requirements

Licensing bodyKentucky State Board of Accountancy
State license Required
Education150 semester hours, including a bachelor's or master's degree with a concentration in accounting (27 semester hours in accounting and 12 semester hours in business-related courses).
Experience2,000.0 hours
ExamUniform CPA Examination ($1,051)
Application fee$30
RenewalEvery 2.0 years
NotesMinimum age: 18 years old. U.S. citizenship or legal residency required. No ethics exam is required for licensure, but 2 hours of ethics CPE are required per renewal cycle. Must apply for license within 5 years of passing the last exam section.

Source: Kentucky State Board of Accountancy

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
~$1,200 investment ÷ $72,220 median salary
  • check_circleKentucky license required — clearer credential signal to employers
  • warningElevated AI disruption risk
psychology
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Frequently asked questions

What are the steps to becoming a cpa in Kentucky? expand_more
The path to cpa licensure in Kentucky: complete the required education (150 semester hours, including a bachelor's or master's degree with a concentration in accounting (27 semester hours in accounting and 12 semester hours in business-related courses).), gain 2,000.0 hours of supervised experience, pass the Uniform CPA Examination, and submit your application ($30 fee).
Is a cpa license required in Kentucky? expand_more
Yes, Kentucky requires a state license to practice as a cpa. The licensing body is Kentucky State Board of Accountancy. You must pass the Uniform CPA Examination.
What do cpas earn in Kentucky? expand_more
cpas in Kentucky earn a median of $72,220 annually. This trails the $81,680 national median by 12%. New cpas start around $47,880; seasoned professionals can reach $114,800.
How expensive is cpa licensing in Kentucky? expand_more
Between exam fee ($1,051) and application fee ($30), expect to invest around $1,200 in total to get started.
How long does it take to become a cpa in Kentucky? expand_more
In Kentucky, becoming a cpa generally takes Varies (exam must be passed within 30 months, license application within 5 years of passing last exam section), accounting for education requirements, hands-on training, and the exam process.

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