CPA in Tennessee

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

Median annual salary

$75,500

trending_down -7.6% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Tennessee.

engineering

26,890

Jobs (TN)

monitoring Strong

+4.6%

10-yr job growth

payments

$1,200

Est. total cost

schedule

Varies (1-3 years post-bachelor's degree for experience with 150 hours education)

Time to complete

route How to become a cpa in Tennessee

To become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Tennessee, candidates must meet education, examination, and experience requirements set by the Tennessee State Board of Accountancy. This typically involves holding a bachelor's degree with 150 semester hours of education, passing the Uniform CPA Examination, and completing 2,000 hours of accounting experience. An alternative pathway, effective January 1, 2026, allows for licensure with a bachelor's degree, 120 semester hours of education, and 4,000 hours of experience. Additionally, candidates must pass the AICPA Ethics Exam with a score of 90% or better.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $50,400

25th percentile $61,960

50th (median) $75,500

75th percentile $92,140

90th (experienced) $125,280

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

checklist Tennessee requirements

Licensing body	Tennessee State Board of Accountancy
State license	Required
Education	Bachelor's degree with 150 semester hours OR Bachelor's degree with 120 semester hours (effective January 1, 2026)
Exam	Uniform CPA Examination ($1,243)
Application fee	$100
Renewal	Every 2.0 years
Continuing education	80.0 hours per cycle
Notes	Minimum age: 18. Must pass AICPA Ethics Exam with a score of 90% or better. Social Security Number required. No US citizenship or Tennessee residency requirements. Effective January 1, 2026, an alternative pathway to licensure requires 120 hours of education and two years (4000 hours) of experience.

Source: Tennessee 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 ÷ $75,500 median salary

check_circleTennessee 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 Tennessee? expand_more

To become a cpa in Tennessee, you need to complete the required education (Bachelor's degree with 150 semester hours OR Bachelor's degree with 120 semester hours (effective January 1, 2026)), pass the Uniform CPA Examination, and submit your application ($100 fee).

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

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

What is the average cpa salary in Tennessee? expand_more

In Tennessee, the median pay for cpas comes to $75,500/year. — 8% under the $81,680 national average. Entry-level (10th percentile) starts at $50,400, while experienced professionals (90th percentile) earn $125,280.

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

Costs include exam fee ($1,243) and application fee ($100). The estimated total investment is $1,200, including education and training.

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

Expect to spend Varies (1-3 years post-bachelor's degree for experience with 150 hours education) from start to finish in Tennessee — covering coursework, supervised experience, and examination.

What's required to renew a cpa license in Tennessee? expand_more

Yes — cpas in Tennessee must complete 80.0 CE hours every 2.0 years to stay licensed.