How to Become a CPA: A Complete Guide (2025 Update)

Executive Summary

If you seek information about how to become a CPA, this comprehensive guide will explain the entire process to you.

• Over 650,000 CPAs are licensed in the U.S., with demand projected to grow as financial regulations evolve.
• Most states require 150 credit hours of education, but new pathways may soon allow licensure with 120 hours in some jurisdictions [1].
• The CPA Exam now features a flexible structure: three Core sections and one Discipline section, reflecting the profession’s increasing specialization [2].
• CPAs must complete at least one year of supervised professional experience and ongoing continuing education to maintain licensure [3][4].
• Firms using secure, dedicated IT solutions like Verito’s VeritSpace and VeritGuard report reduced downtime and improved compliance, critical for CPAs handling sensitive data.

Why the CPA Credential Matters

The Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation is the gold standard for accounting professionals in the United States. CPAs are trusted advisors, relied upon for their expertise in tax compliance, auditing, financial reporting, and strategic business guidance. As financial regulations become more complex and scrutiny intensifies, the need for qualified CPAs continues to rise. If you’re wondering how to become a CPA, this guide breaks down the steps, requirements, and best practices so you can plan your path with confidence and clarity [3][5].

What Are the Steps to Become a CPA?

This section explains how to become a CPA, step by step:

1. Earn a Bachelor’s Degree (and Meet Credit Hour Requirements)

• Most states require a bachelor’s degree with an accounting or business concentration.
• Traditionally, you need 150 credit hours of college coursework—about 30 credits beyond a standard bachelor’s degree [5][1].

Tip: Many universities offer five-year dual-degree programs that combine a bachelor’s and master’s in accounting, helping you meet the 150-hour threshold efficiently.

2. Consider Graduate Education

• While not always mandatory, a master’s degree in accounting or a related field can boost your CPA Exam pass rates and job prospects [3].
• Graduate-level certificates or targeted coursework can also help you reach the required credit hours.

3. Pass the CPA Exam

• The CPA Exam, administered by the AICPA, is a rigorous, four-part test. As of 2024, the exam includes three Core sections (universal to all CPAs) and one Discipline section (specialized area of your choice) [2].
• You must pass all four sections within an 18-month window in most states [2].
• The exam covers accounting principles, auditing, taxation, business law, and specialized topics depending on your chosen Discipline.

4. Gain Professional Experience

• Most states require at least one year (often two) of supervised accounting experience before granting a CPA license [3][4].
• Experience must be relevant and is typically verified by a licensed CPA.
• Internships during your studies are valuable for networking and skill-building, but usually do not count toward the official experience requirement.

5. Apply for Licensure and Maintain Your CPA Status

• After passing the exam and completing your experience, apply for licensure through your state’s board of accountancy.
• Most states require you to pass an ethics exam (often with a score of 90% or higher) [4].
• CPAs must renew their license every 1-2 years, completing 40+ hours of continuing professional education (CPE) annually, including ethics training [4].

What Are the Educational Requirements to Become a CPA?

• Bachelor’s Degree: Required in all states, typically with an accounting or business focus [5].
• 150 Credit Hours: Most states require 150 total college credits, though some are moving toward a 120-hour model [1].
• Graduate Options: Master’s degrees or graduate certificates can help fulfill credit requirements and deepen expertise.
• Dual-Degree Programs: Accelerated five-year programs are a popular route for meeting educational and credit hour requirements.

Pro Tip: Check your state’s specific requirements through the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) or your state board’s website.

How Is the CPA Exam Structured in 2025?

The CPA Exam has evolved to reflect the changing demands of the profession. The current format, known as CPA Evolution, requires candidates to demonstrate both core and specialized knowledge [2].

Key Features of the 2025 CPA Exam

• Three Core Sections: Covering accounting, auditing, and tax.
• One Discipline Section: Choose from Business Analysis, Information Systems, or Tax Compliance.
• Updated Content: Annual blueprints ensure the exam reflects current regulations and best practices.
• Flexible Pathways: Candidates can tailor their exam to their career interests.

Example: If you plan to focus on tax, you can select the Tax Compliance and Planning Discipline section, which aligns with the needs of firms using advanced tax software like UltraTax, Drake, or Lacerte.

How Much Experience Do You Need to Become a CPA?

• Minimum Experience: Most states require one to two years of supervised accounting work [3][4].
• Qualifying Roles: Experience must involve accounting, auditing, or tax responsibilities and be verified by a licensed CPA.
• Ethics Exam: Passing an ethics exam is often required for licensure [4].

Note: While internships are valuable for skill development, they usually do not count toward the official experience requirement for licensure.

What Ongoing Requirements Do CPAs Face?

• License Renewal: Every 1-2 years, depending on your state.
• Continuing Education: At least 40 hours of CPE annually, including ethics and updates on new regulations [4].
• Specialized Certificates: Many CPAs pursue additional credentials in areas like internal auditing or management accounting to expand their expertise and career options.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Degree Do I Need to Become a CPA?

A bachelor’s degree is required, usually with an accounting or business concentration. Most states require 150 credit hours, which often means additional coursework or a master’s degree [5][1].

How Long Does It Take to Become a CPA?

The typical timeline is 5-7 years: 4-5 years for your degree(s), plus 1-2 years for exam preparation and professional experience.

Are CPA Jobs in High Demand?

Yes. The complexity of financial regulations and the need for trusted advisors keep demand for CPAs high across industries.

Is Becoming a CPA Difficult?

The process is challenging, requiring dedication to meet educational, exam, and experience requirements. However, the rewards—career advancement, higher earning potential, and professional respect—make it worthwhile.

Why Secure IT and Cloud Hosting Matter for CPAs

CPAs handle sensitive financial data and must comply with strict regulations like the FTC Safeguards Rule, IRS Publication 4557, and SOC 2. Downtime, data breaches, or compliance failures can have serious consequences for your firm and your clients.

Verito’s Solutions for Accounting Firms:

• VeritSpace: Dedicated private server hosting for QuickBooks, Drake, Lacerte, UltraTax, and more. Features include 99.999% uptime, daily backups, two-factor authentication, and secure remote access.
• VeritGuard: Proactive managed IT services with 24/7 U.S.-based support, threat monitoring, and patch management. Built-in compliance with IRS and FTC standards.
• VeritComplete: A unified platform combining hosting and IT management—one bill, one support team, zero finger-pointing.

Benefits for CPAs:

• Eliminate downtime during peak tax season.
• Meet and exceed compliance standards.
• Offload IT burdens so you can focus on client service, not tech troubleshooting.

Example: A mid-sized tax firm using VeritSpace reported uninterrupted access to UltraTax and QuickBooks during the busiest weeks of tax season, with zero data loss and full compliance audit readiness.

Comparison: Verito vs. Typical IT Providers

Key Takeaways

• Becoming a CPA requires a bachelor’s degree, 150 credit hours (in most states), passing the CPA Exam, and at least one year of supervised experience [3][5][4][1].
• The CPA Exam now offers a flexible, specialization-friendly structure [2].
• Ongoing education and ethics training are mandatory to maintain your license.
• Secure, dedicated IT solutions like Verito’s VeritSpace and VeritGuard help CPAs meet compliance standards and avoid costly downtime.
• Check your state’s board of accountancy for the latest requirements, as new pathways (120 credit hours) may soon be available in some states [1].

Ready to take the next step?

Schedule a demo with Verito to see how our secure, dedicated hosting and managed IT solutions can support your CPA journey and keep your firm audit-ready. It just works. Securely.

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