CPA in Ohio

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

Median annual salary

$77,640

trending_down -4.9% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Ohio.

engineering

51,840

Jobs (OH)

monitoring Strong

+4.6%

10-yr job growth

payments

$1,250

Est. total cost

schedule

1-3 years post-bachelor's degree (can take up to 6 years)

Time to complete

route How to become a cpa in Ohio

To become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Ohio, candidates must meet education, examination, and experience requirements set by the Accountancy Board of Ohio. This typically involves a bachelor's degree with an accounting concentration, passing the Uniform CPA Examination, and completing 2,000 hours of relevant accounting experience. Ohio also offers reciprocity for CPAs licensed in other states, allowing them to practice in Ohio if their license is substantially equivalent and they meet specific criteria.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $49,480

25th percentile $61,470

50th (median) $77,640

75th percentile $99,710

90th (experienced) $129,640

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

checklist Ohio requirements

Licensing body	Accountancy Board of Ohio
State license	Required
Education	Bachelor's degree with an accounting concentration (30 semester hours in accounting and 24 semester hours in business courses). As of January 1, 2026, candidates can qualify with 120 semester hours and two years of experience, or 150 semester hours and one year of experience. To sit for the exam, 120 semester hours are required.
Experience	2,000.0 hours
Exam	Uniform CPA Examination ($1,443)
Application fee	$100
Renewal	Every 3.0 years
Continuing education	120.0 hours per cycle
Reciprocity	Ohio offers reciprocity for CPAs meeting eligibility, including passing the Uniform CPA Exam and holding equivalent license.Reciprocal states: Ohio offers reciprocity for CPAs licensed in other states, provided they meet specific eligibility criteria, including passing the Uniform CPA Exam and having a substantially equivalent license. Illinois licensees require verification from the Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation. Non-residents can maintain an Ohio CPA license with an 'Out-of-State' designation, requiring proof of a current and valid license in another state, with no Ohio-specific CPE or fees.
Notes	Minimum age of 18. Must be of good moral character. Requires a criminal background check and completion of a Board-approved Professional Standards and Responsibilities (PSR) course.

Source: Accountancy Board of Ohio

Already licensed elsewhere and moving to Ohio? See whether Ohio 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

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

~$1,250 investment ÷ $77,640 median salary

check_circleOhio 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

Compare CPA head-to-head

See all comparisons →

Considering a CPA vs another career? Side-by-side breakdowns of pay, training time, and licensing.

vs Paralegal

Pay, time, licensing compared

arrow_forward

vs Real Estate Agent

Pay, time, licensing compared

arrow_forward

vs Insurance Agent

Pay, time, licensing compared

arrow_forward

Frequently asked questions

How do you get certified as a cpa in Ohio? expand_more

The path to cpa licensure in Ohio: complete the required education (Bachelor's degree with an accounting concentration (30 semester hours in accounting and 24 semester hours in business courses). As of January 1, 2026, candidates can qualify with 120 semester hours and two years of experience, or 150 semester hours and one year of experience. To sit for the exam, 120 semester hours are required.), gain 2,000.0 hours of supervised experience, pass the Uniform CPA Examination, and submit your application ($100 fee).

Is a cpa license required in Ohio? expand_more

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

What is the average cpa salary in Ohio? expand_more

In Ohio, the median pay for cpas comes to $77,640/year. — within a few percent of the $81,680 national figure. The range spans from $49,480 at the entry level to $129,640 for top earners.

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

Costs include exam fee ($1,443) and application fee ($100). The estimated total investment is $1,250, including education and training.

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

In Ohio, becoming a cpa generally takes 1-3 years post-bachelor's degree (can take up to 6 years), accounting for education requirements, hands-on training, and the exam process.

What are the continuing education requirements for cpas in Ohio? expand_more

License renewal in Ohio requires completing 120.0 hours of continuing education on a 3.0-year cycle.