Verified November 6, 2026 against the state board. Rules change, so read the board’s current rules before relying on them.
Connecticut State Board of Accountancy licenses CPAs in Connecticut. Its rules and forms are the authority for everything on this page.
Connecticut licensees complete 40 CPE hours between July 1 and June 30 each year and report them by December 31 with the annual renewal.
Sources: law.cornell.edu/regulations/connecticut/Regs-Conn-State-Agencies-SS-20-280-25, nasbaregistry.org/cpe-requirements/connecticut, ctcpas.org/beacpa
Connecticut issues a CPA license, needed to practice public accounting and sign audit reports, and a lower-cost CPA certificate registration that allows use of the CPA title only. Both renew every year by December 31.
Sources: law.cornell.edu/regulations/connecticut/Regs-Conn-State-Agencies-SS-20-280-25, nasba.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2026_Feb_CT_NL.pdf, ctcpas.org/beacpa
Since October 1, 2025, Public Act 25-36 gives three pathways to a Connecticut CPA certificate, each requiring the Uniform CPA Exam: a bachelor's with an accounting concentration plus 2 years of experience, a bachelor's plus 30 semester hours plus 1 year, or a post-baccalaureate degree with an accounting concentration plus 1 year.
Sources: nasba.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2026_Feb_CT_NL.pdf, ctcpas.org/pathways, ctcpas.org/news/4b37fc6f-6d32-4f2e-9efe-61ccfd53036e:major-changes-to-connecticut-s-cpa-pathways-and-mobility-laws-take-effect-october-1, ctcpas.org/news/ec0659b3-b005-4c21-a5c8-53787fc9b15d:state-board-of-accountancy-adopts-new-educational-guidelines-for-cpa-licensure-effective-october-1, law.cornell.edu/regulations/connecticut/Regs-Conn-State-Agencies-SS-20-280-21, law.cornell.edu/regulations/connecticut/Regs-Conn-State-Agencies-SS-20-280-24, ctcpas.org/beacpa
Connecticut licensees complete 40 CPE hours between July 1 and June 30 each year and report them by December 31 with the annual renewal. 4 ethics hours in every three-year period, in a course covering ethical behavior, the state and national codes of conduct and state licensing rules. New licensees are exempt in their first July 1 to June 30 period, and the three-year count starts after it. Up to 20 hours above the 40-hour minimum carry to the next year. Carried hours do not count toward the 8-hour attest or compilation requirement. Extensions, waivers or adjustments are available for physician-certified health reasons, extended active military duty or other good cause the board accepts.
Licensees report completed CPE by December 31 each year. Licensees who perform, supervise or sign attest or compilation work need 8 hours in that subject area. CPA certificate holders have no CPE requirement.
Connecticut issues a CPA license, needed to practice public accounting and sign audit reports, and a lower-cost CPA certificate registration that allows use of the CPA title only. Both renew every year by December 31. Annual, January 1 to December 31. Renewal and fee are due December 31. Applications received after December 31 but before February 1 are accepted as late. Applications on or after February 1 are rejected and the license lapses. CPA license annual renewal $565. CPA certificate registration annual renewal $40.
Since October 1, 2025 (Public Act 25-36), an out-of-state CPA has a practice privilege in Connecticut without a Connecticut license if the CPA holds another state's license in good standing and meets Connecticut's education, experience and exam requirements. A person who passed the CPA Exam by September 30, 2025 and held a license in good standing on that date also qualifies. A Connecticut firm permit is required to perform attest or compilation services for an entity whose home office is in Connecticut.
To sit: 120 semester hours. The accounting concentration under the draft regulations the Board approved on September 25, 2025, which DCP applies as guidelines until final regulations are adopted, is at least 27 credits in accounting and 24 credits in economics and business administration other than accounting. Exam section credit lasts 30 months. Public Act 25-36 replaced the 150-hour rule on October 1, 2025. A bachelor's degree with an accounting concentration plus 2 years of experience now qualifies.
Two years with a bachelor's degree, or one year with a bachelor's plus 30 semester hours or a post-baccalaureate degree. Experience uses accounting, attest, management advisory, tax or consulting skills, is supervised by a licensed CPA or public accountant, is verified by a supervisor licensed for at least three years, and is gained within 10 years before the application. Thirty-five hours per week counts as full time, and part-time weeks under 20 hours earn no credit.
Applicants pass the AICPA Professional Ethics for CPAs self-study exam with a score of 90 or better (Regs. 20-280-21(6)).
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