Alabama CPA Requirements
Everything you need to become a CPA in Alabama
Key Facts
- ✓150 credit hours required for licensure (120-credit pathway enacted, effective Oct 2026)
- ✓1 year of supervised experience under a CPA (2 years under 120-credit pathway)
- ✓Can sit for exam with 120 credits
- ✓40 hours of CPE required annually
- ✓HB 59 (Pathways to CPA Act) signed January 30, 2026
*Alabama offers a 120-credit pathway (HB 59) with additional experience requirements. Effective October 1, 2026. See Licensure Pathways below for details.
Education & Experience Requirements
Verify Before Applying: Requirements shown are for informational purposes and may have changed. Always confirm current requirements with the official state board before beginning your application.
Education Requirements
- •Must include 33 semester hours in accounting courses
Experience Requirements
- ✓Public accounting
- ✓Private industry
- ✓Government
Exam Eligibility
Licensing & CPE
Exam vs. Licensure: Alabama requires different credit thresholds to sit for the CPA exam versus obtaining your license. You can begin testing with 24 accounting credits, but must complete 33 for full licensure. Business credits: 24 to sit, 27 for licensure. Total credits: 120 to sit, 150 for licensure.
Licensure Pathways
Traditional 150-Credit Pathway
- •150 semester hours including accounting concentration
- •1 year of supervised experience under a CPA
120-Credit + Experience Pathway
Effective: October 1, 2026
- •Bachelor's degree with accounting concentration
- •2 years of verified accounting experience
- •Board empowered to define pathway details through regulation
- •Implementing rules not yet finalized
Alabama State Board of Accountancy
Alabama State Board of Public Accountancy
Application Tips
- 1.Verify current requirements on the official state board website before applying
- 2.Have official transcripts sent directly from your educational institution
- 3.Allow 4-6 weeks for application processing
- 4.Keep copies of all submitted documents for your records
Alabama CPE & License Renewal
Frequently Asked Questions
Education Programs for Alabama
8 programs meet CPA education requirements in Alabama. Browse by category to find the right fit.
Online MAcc
2150-Hour Pathways
3Related Resources
Planning your CPA journey in Alabama? These guides can help.
Ready to Start Studying?
Find the perfect CPA review course for your Alabama CPA journey.