Which states have CPA mobility?

Nearly all U.S. jurisdictions (50 states, D.C., territories) offer CPA mobility, allowing CPAs to practice across state lines for non-attest services (like tax/consulting) under their home license, while most also have firm mobility for attest services (audits). The recent trend, driven by new pathways, shifts to an individual-based practice privilege, meaning your own qualifications (education, exam, experience) determine mobility, not just your home state's equivalency, with resources like CPAmobility.org available to check specific rules.

What states have CPA mobility?

Since this initiative started, 49 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands have all adopted mobility for nonattest services or individual mobility.

What is the easiest state to get your CPA in?

What State Is Best for the CPA License? If you want to take the CPA exam as early as possible with fewer requirements, Alaska is a good state to get your CPA license in because it allows candidates to sit while completing an undergraduate degree if within 18 hours of meeting bachelor's degree requirements.

What states do not require 150 hours for CPA?

While most states still require 150 credits for CPA licensure, several states like Ohio, Virginia, Utah, North Carolina, Texas, Iowa, Illinois, Pennsylvania, and Delaware, among others, are implementing or have passed legislation for alternative pathways starting in 2026, often allowing licensure with 120 credits plus more experience or specific coursework to address talent shortages, though the 150-hour standard for full licensure often remains for some paths. 

What states are lowering CPA requirements?

In recent months Texas, Tennessee, Iowa, Georgia, Indiana, Utah, Montana, Virginia, Hawaii, Ohio and New Mexico have passed new laws easing the path to CPA licensure.

CPA Mobility Simplified: How New Licensure Rules Would Make Working Across State Lines Easier

Is there actually a CPA shortage?

In 2025, the CPA shortage continues to reshape finance hiring nationwide. According to The Wall Street Journal (“Aspiring CPAs Consider Ditching Grad School Plans as States Revamp Laws,” 2025) [1], the number of people sitting for the CPA exam has declined by more than 30 percent since 2016.

Can you make $500,000 a year as an accountant?

Yes, an accountant can make $500k a year, but it's rare and typically requires reaching top-tier positions like partner at a large firm, Chief Accounting Officer (CAO) in a major corporation, or owning a highly successful practice, often involving specialization, significant experience (20+ years), business development, and strategic leadership rather than just basic accounting tasks. It's a long, challenging journey involving high leverage and significant responsibility, not typical for entry-level or standard roles. 

Is a CPA harder than a bar?

There's no definitive answer, as it's subjective, but many who've taken both find the CPA Exam harder due to its four distinct sections, breadth of technical accounting knowledge, and the need to pass all within 18 months (a marathon), while the Bar Exam is often seen as a more intense, physically demanding sprint over two days testing broad legal concepts. The CPA's difficulty often comes from its multifaceted nature and the challenge of mastering different accounting/tax areas, whereas the Bar's challenge lies in the sheer volume of legal information and mental stamina required over consecutive days. 

Which state is best for CPA?

All states require 150 credit hours, but there are nuances and other potential requirements.

1. New York. Salary. New York offers some of the highest salaries for CPAs, with an average annual salary of around $95,000. ...
2. Texas. Salary. ...
3. 3. California. Salary. ...
4. Florida. Salary. ...
5. Illinois. Salary. ...
6. Georgia. Salary.

What is the easiest CPA Exam in the US?

Is BEC really the easiest CPA exam section? While perceptions vary, BEC is often considered the easiest due to its less technical content and emphasis on general business knowledge. However, individual experiences may differ based on background and strengths.

Can a CPA make 300k a year?

Yes, a CPA can definitely make $300k, especially in senior leadership roles like Partner, CFO, or VP in Big Four firms or large corporations, or by owning a successful firm, though it typically requires significant experience (often 10+ years) and strategic career moves into high-demand areas like tax, consulting, or corporate finance. While not the norm for entry-level or mid-level roles, hitting $300k is achievable by focusing on specialized skills, experience, and high-impact positions.
 

Can I pass CPA in 3 months?

Passing the CPA exam in 3 months requires extreme dedication, a rigorous study plan (around 40+ hours/week), focused review of challenging topics (like FAR), consistent practice with MCQs and simulations, and prioritizing health, but it's achievable by dedicating 400+ hours to a structured routine using a review course, fitting study into daily chunks, and emphasizing active recall over passive reading. 

Which state pays CPAs the most?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the highest-paying states for CPAs in the U.S. are the District of Columbia, New York, New Jersey, Virginia, and California, with average salaries ranging from $89,000 to $105,000 per year.

Is CA harder than CPA?

Neither CPA nor CA is definitively "easier"; they are challenging in different ways, with CA often seen as having lower pass rates and deeper Indian-focused content, while CPA offers a more flexible, modular structure but demands US GAAP/IFRS expertise and strict deadlines, making the perception of difficulty subjective and dependent on career goals and location. Many find CPA's multiple-choice/simulation format easier than CA's extensive papers with journal entries and calculations, but CA's overall depth and low pass rates (around 5%) make it very tough, while CPA's average pass rate (around 45%) suggests less overall difficulty, despite its cost. 

How does CPA mobility work?

CPAs can practice anywhere in the country — virtually or in person — with just one state license. This benefit, known as mobility, is possible because most jurisdictions have uniform licensing standards. In the U.S., these requirements include education, professional experience, and a national exam.

Can I use my CPA license in another state?

Mobility allows CPA who are licensed in one state to offer services to clients in another state. CPAs may have to register in other states depending on the services they offer there, usually in the case of attest services.

Where are CPAs paid the most?

CPAs with three or more years of post-designation experience had a median compensation of $154K, up significantly from $143K reported in 2023. Among provinces/territories with at least 100 CPAs reporting, compensation was highest in Alberta ($169K), followed by Ontario ($163K) and Saskatchewan ($147K).

How prestigious is being a CPA?

A CPA license is considered very prestigious: The CPA license is the most widely recognized professional credential in the accounting industry.

What state has the most CPAs?

What's the Number of CPAs by State?

• California: 148,500.
• Texas: 114,410.
• New York: 112,030.
• Florida: 71,520.
• Illinois: 51,740.

Do tax lawyers make more than CPAs?

Yes, tax attorneys generally make more than CPAs because of their specialized legal expertise and higher earning potential in complex legal matters, with lawyers' median pay around $151k versus accountants' $81k according to 2024 data, though top-tier CPAs in corporate roles can earn significantly, sometimes exceeding basic attorney pay. Both roles offer high earning potential in specialized areas, with tax attorneys focusing on legal strategy and court representation, while CPAs excel in accounting, compliance, and financial planning. 

How many people pass all four CPA exams first try?

Only a small percentage of candidates pass all four CPA exam sections on their first try, with estimates generally falling between 13.9% and 20%, though some older data suggests around 13.6%. While individual section pass rates vary (often 40-70% depending on the section and quarter), successfully completing all four parts on the first attempt is a challenging feat, with many candidates taking longer or needing multiple attempts to pass all sections within the 18-month window, say sources like Accounting Today and UWorld. 

What is the hardest CPA section to pass?

Statistically, BAR has the lowest pass rate at 40%, followed closely by FAR at 41%, making them the hardest to pass, while TCP has the highest pass rate at 76%. However, when CPA candidates were surveyed, FAR was overwhelmingly chosen as the most difficult by 63% of respondents, with AUD in second place at 24%.

What jobs in the US pay $300,000 a year?

Jobs paying $300,000 or more in the U.S. are concentrated in medicine, finance, law, and high-level tech/executive roles, including specialist doctors (surgeons, anesthesiologists), C-suite executives, investment bankers, partners in big law firms, senior tech leaders (VPs/Directors of Engineering), management consultants (Partners), private equity executives, and top-tier sales directors, often involving significant bonuses, commissions, or profit-sharing. Some roles, like senior airline pilots or successful entrepreneurs/tradespeople, can also reach this level without traditional degrees. 

Will accounting be replaced by AI?

Will AI replace accountants? Not entirely—but it will change accounting. Firms that embrace AI and technology will attract forward-thinking clients and top talent. Accountants who pair their expertise with AI tools will stay ahead of the curve.

What salary to afford a $1,000,000 house?

To afford a $1 million house, you generally need an annual salary between $200,000 and $300,000, depending heavily on your down payment, credit, and other debts, but experts suggest aiming for around $250,000+ for comfort with a 20% down payment. A common guideline (28% rule) suggests your total housing costs shouldn't exceed 28% of your gross income, while some lenders look at a 36-45% debt-to-income (DTI) ratio, meaning a larger salary is needed for higher payments.