Key Requirements at a Glance
Education Hours
150
Accounting Coursework
30 accounting + 24 business
Work Experience
1 year (2,000 hrs)
Ethics Exam
AICPA Ethics Exam
North Carolina-Specific Notes
Can sit at 120 credits. 150 required for licensure. Active state board.
Official State Board
The North Carolina State Board of Accountancy is the authoritative source for licensure requirements, application forms, and status updates.
Visit North Carolina State Board →Opens nccpaboard.gov in a new window.
Becoming a CPA in North Carolina: The Three E's
Every U.S. jurisdiction, including North Carolina, requires candidates to satisfy three core requirements — Education, Examination, and Experience — plus an ethics component in most states.
Education
North Carolina requires 150 of education, including 30 accounting + 24 business. Many candidates complete this with a bachelor's degree plus additional accounting coursework or a master's program.
Examination
All candidates must pass the Uniform CPA Examination: three Core sections (FAR, REG, AUD) plus one Discipline (BAR, ISC, or TCP). The exam is identical in all 55 U.S. jurisdictions. Prepare with PassTheCPANow for $79 →
Experience
North Carolina requires 1 year (2,000 hrs) of qualifying work experience. Most jurisdictions accept experience in public accounting, industry, government, or academia.
Ethics
Ethics requirement: AICPA Ethics Exam. Most states use the AICPA Professional Ethics course, but several (New York, Texas, California, Washington, Louisiana) require state-specific ethics education.
Now That You Know the Requirements...
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