CPA in North Carolina

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

Median annual salary

$80,490

trending_down -1.5% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, North Carolina.

engineering

46,420

Jobs (NC)

monitoring Strong

+4.6%

10-yr job growth

payments

$1,200

Est. total cost

schedule

6-8 years from start of college to licensure

Time to complete

route How to become a cpa in North Carolina

To become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in North Carolina, individuals must meet specific education, examination, and experience requirements set by the North Carolina State Board of CPA Examiners. This typically involves completing 150 semester hours of education, including a bachelor's degree with an accounting concentration, passing the Uniform CPA Examination, and gaining 2,000 hours (one year) of supervised accounting experience. Additionally, applicants must pass an 8-hour North Carolina Accountancy Law and Professional Ethics course. North Carolina offers reciprocity for CPAs licensed in other jurisdictions who meet the state's requirements.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $50,940

25th percentile $63,590

50th (median) $80,490

75th percentile $103,820

90th (experienced) $137,260

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

checklist North Carolina requirements

Licensing body	North Carolina State Board of CPA Examiners
State license	Required
Education	150 semester hours, including a bachelor's degree with an accounting concentration. Effective January 1, 2026, an alternative pathway requires a bachelor's degree in accounting and 2 years of verified experience.
Experience	2,000.0 hours
Exam	Uniform CPA Examination ($1,292)
Application fee	$230
Renewal	Every 1.0 year
Continuing education	40.0 hours per cycle
Notes	Minimum age 18. Must pass an 8-hour North Carolina Accountancy Law and Professional Ethics course within one year prior to applying for licensure. US citizenship or legal residency required. Background check required for reciprocity applicants.

Source: North Carolina State Board of CPA Examiners

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 ÷ $80,490 median salary

check_circleNorth Carolina 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

What are the steps to becoming a cpa in North Carolina? expand_more

To become a cpa in North Carolina, you need to complete the required education (150 semester hours, including a bachelor's degree with an accounting concentration. Effective January 1, 2026, an alternative pathway requires a bachelor's degree in accounting and 2 years of verified experience.), gain 2,000.0 hours of supervised experience, pass the Uniform CPA Examination, and submit your application ($230 fee).

Does North Carolina require cpa licensure? expand_more

A state license is required in North Carolina. North Carolina State Board of CPA Examiners handles cpa licensing — the Uniform CPA Examination is part of the process.

What do cpas earn in North Carolina? expand_more

North Carolina cpas bring home a median salary of $80,490. — within a few percent of the $81,680 national figure. The range spans from $50,940 at the entry level to $137,260 for top earners.

How much does it cost to become a cpa in North Carolina? expand_more

Plan on spending $1,200 total — that covers exam fee ($1,292) and application fee ($230) plus your education and training.

How many months or years does cpa certification take in North Carolina? expand_more

The typical timeline in North Carolina is 6-8 years from start of college to licensure. This includes completing education, gaining any required experience, and passing the licensing exam.

Does North Carolina require continuing education for cpas? expand_more

To keep your license active, North Carolina mandates 40.0 CE hours every 1.0 year.