Verified November 6, 2026 against the state board. Rules change, so read the board’s current rules before relying on them.
Wisconsin Accounting Examining Board licenses CPAs in Wisconsin. Its rules and forms are the authority for everything on this page.
Wisconsin CPAs complete 80 CPE credits in each two-year period, at least 20 in every 12 months, with at least 40 from formal learning and 3 in ethics.
Sources: dsps.wi.gov/Pages/Professions/Accountant/Default.aspx, nasbaregistry.org/cpe-requirements/wisonsin
Wisconsin CPA licenses renew every two years, by December 14 of odd-numbered years, through the LicensE portal.
Sources: dsps.wi.gov/credentialing/credential-fees-and-renewal-dates, dsps.wi.gov/Pages/Professions/Accountant/Default.aspx, content.govdelivery.com/attachments/WIGOV/2026/04/02/file_attachments/3605234/ab696.pdf
Since April 4, 2026 (2025 Wisconsin Act 166), Wisconsin licenses through three routes: a master's degree with one year of experience, a bachelor's with 150 semester hours and one year, or a bachelor's with two years. All require the Uniform CPA Exam and the Wisconsin Statutes and Rules Examination.
Sources: content.govdelivery.com/attachments/WIGOV/2026/04/02/file_attachments/3605234/ab696.pdf, nasba.org/exams/cpaexam/wisconsin, dsps.wi.gov/a-z-professions-list/accountant-certified-public-cpa/licensure-by-examination, wicpa.org/news/bf574452-258e-42d1-a945-2c780f42d2c3:gov-evers-signs-bill-providing-an-additional-pathway-to-cpa-licensure
Wisconsin CPAs complete 80 CPE credits in each two-year period, at least 20 in every 12 months, with at least 40 from formal learning and 3 in ethics. At least 3 of the formal learning credits must be in ethics. Up to 40 credits above the minimum carry forward into the next period. Credits earned in the first 12 months of a period can instead be carried back to the prior period, but count in only one period. Licensees who meet the CPE rules of another US jurisdiction where they hold a license satisfy Wisconsin's requirement. A non-practicing licensee returning to active status submits proof of completed CE before resuming practice.
The period runs December 15 of an odd-numbered year through December 14 of the next odd-numbered year (currently December 15, 2025 to December 14, 2027). Licensees attest to completion at renewal. The rule is Wisconsin Administrative Code Accy 2.602.
Wisconsin CPA licenses renew every two years, by December 14 of odd-numbered years, through the LicensE portal. Biennial, in odd-numbered years. December 14 of each odd-numbered year. Renewal opens about four weeks before. Initial and renewal fee $43 each. Renewing after the expiration date adds a $25 late fee.
The board licenses by endorsement applicants who hold an active license in another state, and offers military reciprocity. Since April 4, 2026, out-of-state CPAs have practice privileges when their state is rated substantially equivalent by NASBA's National Qualification Appraisal Service or they obtain individual NASBA verification; those who held privileges before that date keep them.
To sit for the exam: at least 120 semester hours or a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution, with accounting and business coursework set by the board (Accy 2.303). 150 semester hours are required only on the bachelor's-plus-one-year route. The master's route and the bachelor's-plus-two-years route do not require them.
One year of work experience on the master's and 150-hour routes, two years on the bachelor's route. It must involve accounting, attest, compilation, advisory, tax or consulting skills in government, industry, academia or public practice, be verified, be gained after meeting the exam education rule and fall within five years before the certificate application. Internships do not count.
Applicants pass the Wisconsin Statutes and Rules Examination with a score of 80% or higher.
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