CPA in District of Columbia

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

Median annual salary

$103,030

trending_up +26.1% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, District of Columbia.

engineering

9,600

Jobs (DC)

monitoring Strong

+4.6%

10-yr job growth

payments

$1,275

Est. total cost

schedule

6-7 years on average

Time to complete

route How to become a cpa in District of Columbia

To become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in the District of Columbia, candidates must meet the requirements set by the District of Columbia Board of Accountancy. This typically involves obtaining a bachelor's degree with 150 semester hours of education, passing the Uniform CPA Examination, and completing 2,000 hours of relevant work experience. The District of Columbia also offers reciprocity for CPAs licensed in other substantially equivalent jurisdictions or those with international designations under a Mutual Recognition Agreement. A minimum age of 18 and a Social Security Number are required, but there are no U.S. citizenship or residency requirements.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $65,540

25th percentile $79,420

50th (median) $103,030

75th percentile $141,540

90th (experienced) $180,890

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

checklist District of Columbia requirements

Licensing body	District of Columbia Board of Accountancy
State license	Required
Education	Bachelor's degree with 150 semester hours
Experience	2,000.0 hours
Exam	Uniform CPA Examination ($1,243)
Application fee	$96
Renewal	Every 2.0 years
Continuing education	80.0 hours per cycle
Notes	Minimum age is 18 years old. Social Security Number is required. No US citizenship or residency requirements. 4 hours of professional ethics CPE are required per renewal cycle. There is no ethics exam for licensure. DC allows candidates to sit for the CPA exam with 120 semester hours, but 150 hours are required for licensure. As of December 12, 2025, the DC Board of Accountancy recognizes an alternative pathway for reciprocity applicants with a bachelor's degree, two years of experience, and a valid license from a jurisdiction that has adopted the alternative pathway.

Source: District of Columbia 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

~$1,275 investment ÷ $103,030 median salary

check_circleDistrict of Columbia 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.

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Frequently asked questions

How do you get certified as a cpa in District of Columbia? expand_more

To become a cpa in District of Columbia, 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 ($96 fee).

Does District of Columbia require cpa licensure? expand_more

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

What is the average cpa salary in District of Columbia? expand_more

District of Columbia cpas bring home a median salary of $103,030. — 26% higher than the $81,680 national figure. Wages range from $65,540 (10th percentile) up to $180,890 (90th percentile).

What are the fees to become a cpa in District of Columbia? expand_more

The full cost to enter the field runs about $1,275, factoring in exam fee ($1,243) and application fee ($96) and required training.

How long does it take to become a cpa in District of Columbia? expand_more

The typical timeline in District of Columbia is 6-7 years on average. This includes completing education, gaining any required experience, and passing the licensing exam.

Does District of Columbia require continuing education for cpas? expand_more

District of Columbia requires 80.0 hours of continuing education every 2.0 years to maintain your cpa license.