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New Jersey CPA Requirements (Rules on Exam and Licensing)

New Jersey CPA requirementsThe New Jersey CPA requirements have changed over the last few years, so it’s important to understand these updates if you want to become a CPA in NJ. Although New Jersey candidates previously needed 150 credit hours of higher education to earn the CPA license, they now only need 120 hours if they have additional years of education.

Please note that a Social Security number is strictly required on the NJ CPA license application form.

New Jersey CPA Requirements

1. Pathways to Become a CPA in New Jersey

Starting on February 11, 2026, New Jersey now offers two pathways to become a CPA. Basically, if you have a Bachelor’s degree only, you need 2 years of coursework. However, if you have 150 hours of higher education, you just need 1 year of experience.

Bachelor’s degree option

  • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited school, including the following:
    • 24 credit hours in accounting
    • 24 credit hours in business
    • Your degree can be in any subject
  • 2 years of work experience in public accounting (or equivalent) under the direction of a licensed CPA. You can only count work that you gain after you finish your bachelor’s degree.

150-hour option

  • Completed 150 hours of higher education (including a bachelor’s degree) from an accredited school, including the following:
    • 24 credit hours in accounting
    • 24 credit hours in business
    • Your degree can be in any subject
  • 1 year of work experience in public accounting (or equivalent) under the direction of a licensed CPA. You can only count work that you gain after you finish your bachelor’s degree.

2. Additional New Jersey CPA Requirements to Get the CPA License

Ethics Qualification

  • You don’t need to take the CPA Ethics Exam by AICPA. Instead, you’ll need to take an ethics course offered by these providers.

3. New Jersey CPA Requirements Residency & Age

  • US citizenship not required.
  • NJ residency not required.
  • Minimum age: 18.

4. CPA Exam Fees in NJ

  • Education Evaluation Application Fee: $96.00
  • Exam Application Fee: $96.00
  • Exam Section Application Fee: $262.64 (per section)

5. Continuing Education

CPE is required for license holders. Please click here for New Jersey CPA CPE requirements.

6. Other Useful Information

7. Contact

New Jersey State Board of Accountancy
PO Box 45000
Newark, NJ 07101

Physical address
124 Halsey Street, 6th Floor
Newark, New Jersey 07102

  • Email: accountancy@dca.njoag.gov
  • Phone: (973) 504-6380
  • Fax: (973) 648-2855

What if the New Jersey CPA Requirements Don’t Work for Me?

Check out these pages to learn about the educational and experience requirements, with my recommendation at the end of the posts:

If you have questions, feel free to leave a comment below, or visit my Facebook page.

About the Author Stephanie Ng

I am the author of How to Pass The CPA Exam (published by Wiley), and I also passed all 4 sections of the CPA Exam on my first try. Additionally, I have led webinars, such as for the Institute of Management Accountants, authored featured articles on websites like Going Concern and AccountingWeb, and I'm also the CFO for the charity New Sight. Finally, I have created other accounting certification websites to help mentor non-CPA candidates. I have already mentored thousands of CPA, CMA, CIA, EA, and CFA candidates, and I can help you too!

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