CPA LICENSURE · NJ
New Jersey
Verified. CARE checked this jurisdiction's requirements against an official or official-sourced page as of 2026-09-30. Requirements change — always confirm current details with the board before making a decision.
BOARD OF ACCOUNTANCY
New Jersey State Board of Accountancy
www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/acc/Pages/default.aspx
www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/acc/Pages/default.aspx
EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
To sit for the Exam: 120 semester hours and a bachelor's degree. For licensure: 150 semester hours (including the bachelor's degree), with 24 semester hours in accounting and 24 in business. Effective February 11, 2026, New Jersey also offers an alternative pathway requiring only a bachelor's degree and two years of experience.
EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
For the 150-credit pathway: one year of experience in public accounting (or equivalent) under a licensee's direction, not counting experience earned before the bachelor's degree. For the bachelor's-degree-only pathway: two years of such experience. Experience must show intensive and diversified auditing/accounting work per Board regulations.
SEPARATE ETHICS EXAM REQUIRED?
Not yet independently verified by CARE — confirm with the board.
CAN YOU SIT FOR THE EXAM BEFORE FINISHING ALL EDUCATION?
Yes — candidates can typically sit for the Exam before finishing all coursework required for full licensure (e.g. at 120 semester hours, finishing the rest before licensure).
APPLICATION NOTES
New Jersey's alternative bachelor's-plus-2-years pathway became available February 11, 2026.
SOURCE
https://www.njcpa.org/build-career/become-a-cpa/requirements — accessed 2026-09-30
CARE CPA Prep prepares candidates for the national Uniform CPA Examination — the same Exam content regardless of where you plan to be licensed. This page is licensure-process information, not Exam content; for the Exam itself, see the six Exam sections, and for the general national pattern behind these state rules, see eligibility & experience requirements.
Start practicing for the Exam with real, explained MCQs and TBS simulations.
See pricing