This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Want to pass your exams? Start preparing the right way.

My email is

& I’m preparing for

300Hours: CFA, ACCA & Finance Certifications Hub

california cpa requirements

California CPA Requirements: Education, Exam & License Guide

Zee Tan

31 Aug 2026

CPA

To become a CPA in California, you'll need to meet the following requirements: Education: 120 semester hours of college education to sit for the exam, 150 hours to get licensed (or the new AB 1175 pathway from 2027) Exam: Pass all four sections of the Uniform CPA Exam Experience: One year (2,040 hours) of qualifying work experience Ethics: A 2-hour Regulatory Review course that recently replaced the state's old PETH (Professional Ethics for CPAs) exam International candidates: No citizenship or residency required, though foreign degrees ...