CPA in Massachusetts
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for MA. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.
BLS OEWS 2024, Massachusetts.
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route How to become a cpa in Massachusetts
To become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Massachusetts, candidates must meet education, examination, and experience requirements set by the Massachusetts Board of Public Accountancy. This typically involves completing 150 semester hours of college coursework, including a bachelor's degree, and passing the Uniform CPA Examination. Additionally, candidates need to accumulate 2,000 hours of qualifying accounting experience, which can be in public or non-public accounting, before applying for licensure.
bar_chart Salary percentiles
Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for Massachusetts. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.
checklist Massachusetts requirements
| Licensing body | Massachusetts Board of Public Accountancy |
| State license | Required |
| Education | Bachelor's degree with 150 semester hours |
| Experience | 2,000.0 hours |
| Exam | Uniform CPA Examination ($1,631) |
| Application fee | $195 |
| Renewal | Every 2.0 years |
| Continuing education | 80.0 hours per cycle |
| Reciprocity | Massachusetts offers limited reciprocity for CPAs from substantially equivalent states, with mobility provisions.Reciprocal states: Massachusetts offers limited reciprocity. Applicants with a valid, unrevoked license from a substantially equivalent state may apply. Canadian Chartered Accountants who pass the IQEX and meet experience requirements may also apply. Those licensed for less than 4 years or who haven't practiced for 4 of the last 10 years must meet initial license requirements. Firms with a physical office in Massachusetts must be licensed, but individuals from out-of-state firms can practice with mobility if their home state's requirements are substantially equivalent. |
| Notes | Minimum age 18. Experience must be 2,000 hours in public accounting (1-3 years) or non-public accounting (3-9 years). Public accounting experience is required for those seeking to sign attest reports. 4 hours of professional ethics CPE are required per renewal cycle. Three character reference letters are required for licensure. No ethics exam is required. U.S. citizenship is not required, and there is no residency requirement for exam takers. |
Source: Massachusetts Board of Public Accountancy
Already licensed elsewhere and moving to Massachusetts? See whether Massachusetts recognizes an out-of-state credential — with the tier and pathway for all 50 states — in our CPA license reciprocity guide.
work_outline Job outlook
AI & tech impact
Many tasks in this career are susceptible to AI automation. Long-term career planning should account for potential disruption.
balance Is it worth it?
- check_circleMassachusetts license required — clearer credential signal to employers
- warningElevated AI disruption risk
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