CPA in Louisiana

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

Median annual salary

$69,540

trending_down -14.9% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Louisiana.

engineering

13,560

Jobs (LA)

monitoring Strong

+4.6%

10-yr job growth

payments

$1,200

Est. total cost

schedule

1-3 years post-bachelor's degree

Time to complete

route How to become a cpa in Louisiana

To become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Louisiana, candidates must meet the requirements set by the State Board of Certified Public Accountants of Louisiana. This involves completing 150 semester hours of education with a bachelor's degree, passing all four sections of the Uniform CPA Examination, and gaining 2,000 hours of qualifying accounting experience verified by a licensed CPA. An application fee of $100 is required for initial licensure, and CPAs must renew their license annually, completing 80 hours of continuing education every two years.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $46,950

25th percentile $57,680

50th (median) $69,540

75th percentile $89,730

90th (experienced) $117,190

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

checklist Louisiana requirements

Licensing body	State Board of Certified Public Accountants of Louisiana
State license	Required
Education	Bachelor's degree with 150 semester hours
Experience	2,000.0 hours
Exam	Uniform CPA Examination ($1,423)
Application fee	$100
Renewal	Every 1.0 year
Continuing education	40.0 hours per cycle
Notes	Minimum age of 18. Requires 80 CPE hours over a rolling two-year period, with a minimum of 20 hours annually. If participating in attest engagements, 8 hours of CPE in Accounting & Auditing are required annually. A 3-hour Board-approved ethics course is required every even year. Must be of good moral character and execute an oath. Louisiana residency for 120 days within one year preceding the application date to take the examination is required for exam candidates. Must have a Social Security number.

Source: State Board of Certified Public Accountants of Louisiana

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 ÷ $69,540 median salary

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

psychology

Wondering if a cpa career is the right fit?

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Frequently asked questions

How do I become a cpa in Louisiana? expand_more

To become a cpa in Louisiana, you need to complete the required education (Bachelor's degree with 150 semester hours), gain 2,000.0 hours of supervised experience, pass the Uniform CPA Examination, and submit your application ($100 fee).

Do I need a license to work as a cpa in Louisiana? expand_more

A state license is required in Louisiana. State Board of Certified Public Accountants of Louisiana handles cpa licensing — the Uniform CPA Examination is part of the process.

How much does a cpa make in Louisiana? expand_more

In Louisiana, the median pay for cpas comes to $69,540/year. — 15% under the $81,680 national average. Wages range from $46,950 (10th percentile) up to $117,190 (90th percentile).

How expensive is cpa licensing in Louisiana? expand_more

Between exam fee ($1,423) and application fee ($100), expect to invest around $1,200 in total to get started.

What's the timeline to become a cpa in Louisiana? expand_more

Most candidates in Louisiana complete the process in 1-3 years post-bachelor's degree, from enrollment in a training program through licensure.

How many CE hours do cpas need in Louisiana? expand_more

Yes — cpas in Louisiana must complete 40.0 CE hours every 1.0 year to stay licensed.