Key Requirements at a Glance
Education Hours
150
Accounting Coursework
24 accounting + 24 business
Work Experience
1 year (2,000 hrs)
Ethics Exam
WA-specific ethics (4-hr)
Washington-Specific Notes
Washington requires a state-specific ethics course. Can sit at 120 credits.
Official State Board
The Washington State Board of Accountancy is the authoritative source for licensure requirements, application forms, and status updates.
Visit Washington State Board →Opens acb.wa.gov in a new window.
Becoming a CPA in Washington: The Three E's
Every U.S. jurisdiction, including Washington, requires candidates to satisfy three core requirements — Education, Examination, and Experience — plus an ethics component in most states.
Education
Washington requires 150 of education, including 24 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
Washington requires 1 year (2,000 hrs) of qualifying work experience. Most jurisdictions accept experience in public accounting, industry, government, or academia.
Ethics
Ethics requirement: WA-specific ethics (4-hr). 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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