Discover how to become a CPA in New Jersey and join one of the largest Certified Public Accountant bodies in the United States. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about the state’s CPA requirements.
Uncover New Jersey CPA Requirements
As an aspiring CPA candidate in New Jersey, you must pass the CPA Exam, meet the educational and experience requirements, and pass an ethics exam. The New Jersey State Board of Accountancy (NJ State Board) is the principal body that administers the state’s CPA regulations in collaboration with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA®).
| Social Security Requirements | Yes |
| Age, Citizenship, and Residency Requirements |
|
| Good Moral Character | Yes |
| Education Requirement for Licensure | 150* hours (including a bachelor’s degree) |
| Pass the Exam | Score a minimum of 75 in each section |
| Work Experience | 1 year of professional experience in public accounting/equivalent under a CPA license holder |
| Ethics Exam Requirements | Must pass the New Jersey Law and Ethics Course. |
| International CPA Examination Program | Does not participate in the International CPA Program. |
Legislative Update: A5598 (Effective Feb. 11, 2026)
Starting Feb. 11, 2026, New Jersey will offer an alternative pathway to licensure, requiring only a bachelor’s degree and 2 years of experience.
Educational Requirements
Starting Feb. 11, 2026, New Jersey will offer multiple CPA licensure pathways, allowing candidates to qualify through the existing 150-hour option or the new bachelor’s degree pathway.
- 150-hour option: Complete 150 semester hours (including a bachelor’s degree) from an accredited school. Credits can be earned within or outside a degree program, including a formal work-for-credit program. You must also complete 24 semester hours in accounting and 24 semester hours in business. The degree can be in any field of study.
- Bachelor’s degree option: Earn a bachelor’s degree from an accredited school and complete 24 semester hours in accounting and 24 semester hours in business. The degree can be in any field of study.
Or
Work Experience Requirements
From Feb. 11, 2026, New Jersey CPA candidates must complete a work experience requirement based on the licensure pathway they choose.
- Pathway Option #1 for 150 Credits: 1 year of experience in the practice of public accounting or its equivalent, under the direction of a licensee, is needed. Work experience obtained prior to earning a bachelor’s degree does not count toward the 1 year of experience. Time spent in work-for-credit programs counts toward the 1 year of experience.
- Pathway Option #2 for Bachelor’s Degree: 2 years of experience in the practice of public accounting or its equivalent, under the direction of a licensee, is needed. Work experience obtained prior to earning a bachelor’s degree does not count toward the 2 years of experience.
New Jersey CPA Exam & Licensing: Cost and Fees
The educational evaluation fee for the New Jersey CPA Examination is $96. Candidates must also pay an exam application fee of $96. Each CPA Exam section costs $262.64, which is paid directly to NASBA. After passing all exam sections, completing the required work experience, and meeting additional state requirements, you can apply for CPA licensure in New Jersey. The initial CPA licensing fee is $65, while a reciprocal license costs $75. There are multiple ways to apply for a CPA license in New Jersey, depending on your qualifications and experience.
| New Jersey CPA Exam Fees | |
|---|---|
| Education Evaluation Fee | $96 |
| Exam Application Fee | $96 |
| Auditing and Attestation (AUD) | $262.64 |
| Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR) | $262.64 |
| Regulation (REG) | $262.64 |
| ISC/BAR/TCP* | $262.64 |
| Total: | $1,242.56 |
Pass the 3 core sections, AUD, FAR, and REG, and 1 discipline section: Information Systems and Controls (ISC), Business Analysis and Reporting (BAR), or Tax Compliance and Planning (TCP).
- If you’re applying after passing all exams, there is no initial application fee. However, you need to pay the fee once your application is approved.
- You must send supporting documents to the New Jersey State Board of Accountancy and submit your final licensure payment.
- If you’ve studied outside of the United States or at an institution that is not regionally accredited, you must submit an application to NASBA International Evaluation Services for a $75 fee.
- Once accepted, you must fulfill all requirements and submit all requested documentation to obtain your license.
- If you’re applying for a CPA license in New Jersey via an endorsement, you have to pay an application fee of $175 and submit all the required documents to the board.
- The licensing state must then submit the official Verification of Licensure Form, and upon meeting the requirements, you can proceed with the final licensure payment.
License Renewal Requirements
The New Jersey CPA license is valid for 3 years from the date of issue. To receive renewal notices and renew your license, ensure your mailing address is up to date. Renewing your license is an online process with a fee of $90. The renewal must be done before Dec. 31 of the year of license expiration. You must also meet the Continuing Professional Education (CPE) requirements during each renewal period.
Continuing Education Requirements
CPE is an essential component of CPA licensure, as it keeps professionals updated with the latest developments and helps them brush up their skills in accountancy. Hence, every CPA license holder must meet the CPE requirements of 120 credit hours before renewing their license. Of the 120 credit hours, the following are mandatory:
- 60 credit hours in technical subject areas
- 24 credit hours in accounting and auditing
- A minimum of 20 credit hours per year
New Jersey CPA Exam: Exam Dates, Score Release, and Scheduling
Becoming a CPA in New Jersey entails meticulous preparation and compliance with the state’s specific requirements. The process involves several key steps, including registration for the CPA exam, strategically scheduling exam sections, and staying updated on score release dates.
Exam Dates & Score Release
AICPA declares the testing windows and CPA Exam score release dates. Typically, scores are released within 48 hours of the target score release dates. Let’s go through the application process and schedule your CPA Exam step by step.
You need to create an Okta account to apply for the New Jersey CPA Exam. This account will give you access to your CPA portal, which will be used throughout the application process. Your portal will help you manage your details, make payments, and access documents such as payment receipts and your Notice to Schedule (NTS).
Apply for the education evaluation through the CPA portal after creating an account to check your eligibility for the exam. Ensure that your educational transcripts are submitted directly to CPA Exam Services by your institutions/universities. Once you have cleared the evaluation process, your home page will show your status as eligible.
If you have completed your education outside of the United States, you can get your education evaluated via the following services:
- NASBA International Evaluation Services (NIES)
- Foreign Academic Credential Service, Inc. (FACS)
- Educational Records Evaluation Service, Inc. (ERES)
You can start your exam section application after your eligibility has been confirmed. You are only allowed to apply for 1 section per application. You will receive the NTS after the application process is completed. Your NTS status and expiration date will be available on your portal home page. A Candidate Exam Section ID (CES ID) will also be on the page, which is needed at the time of scheduling your exam. Furthermore, you will receive an NTS for each section after the application.
Use Prometric to schedule your CPA Exam. You will need a CES ID and NTS number while scheduling the exam. We suggest doing a quick search to find your nearest Prometric center. Remember to bring a printout of the NTS with you when you go to the center on exam day.
The time window to pass all the CPA is 30 months. You must score at least 75 in each section to pass.
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