This guide outlines how to become a CPA in Georgia, including the educational requirements, exam, and experience you need to get licensed. We’ll also break down the timelines, costs, and jobs and salaries available once you’re certified.
Key Points
- To become a CPA in Georgia, you need 150 semester hours of education, a bachelor’s degree, one year of supervised experience, and a passing score on the CPA Exam.
- Many candidates complete their degree, apply for the exam, finish their work hours, and then apply for licensure through the Georgia State Board of Accountancy (GSBA).
- After licensure, Georgia CPAs must complete 80 hours of continuing professional education (CPE) every 2 years to keep their license active.
- CPAs in Georgia have solid earning potential. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), salaries start at about $50,000 and rise into the 6 figures with experience.
CPA Requirements in Georgia
The path to becoming a CPA in Georgia starts with meeting specific requirements. The state sets standards for education, experience, and testing to make sure every CPA is fully prepared for the responsibilities of the profession.
Here’s what Georgia requires:
- Education: You’ll need a bachelor’s degree and a total of 150 semester hours (or 225 quarter hours) of college education to qualify for CPA licensure. Your coursework must include at least 30 semester hours (45 quarter hours) in accounting and 24 semester hours (35 quarter hours) in general business courses.
- CPA Exam: You can sit for the CPA Exam as a first-time applicant after earning at least your bachelor’s degree and completing 20 semester hours (30 quarter hours) or more in upper-level accounting courses.
- Experience: Georgia also requires one year, or 2,000 hours, of supervised public accounting or relevant business experience verified by a licensed CPA.
- Ethics exam: Georgia does not require CPA applicants to take the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) ethics exam before licensure. Georgia bakes ethics into CPA candidates’ ongoing continuing professional education requirements. All licensed CPAs in Georgia must complete 4 ethics credits every 2 years, including 1 hour focused on Georgia’s rules, laws, and policies.
Step-by-Step: Becoming a CPA in Georgia
You’ve seen the big picture. Now let’s break down the step-by-step process, from your first day of coursework to becoming a licensed CPA in Georgia:
1. Finish your education
Start by earning a bachelor’s degree and working toward 150 total semester hours. Your coursework should include at least 30 hours in accounting and 24 hours in business-related classes. Some students enroll in a master’s program to hit the 150-hour mark.
2. Apply for the CPA Exam
Once you’ve completed your bachelor’s degree and at least 20 semester hours of upper-level accounting coursework, you’re eligible to apply for the CPA Exam.
3. Pass all 4 sections of the exam
Here’s how the CPA Exam works. It includes 3 core parts—Auditing and Attestation (AUD), Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR), and Taxation and Regulation (REG)—plus 1 discipline of your choice. Your options are: Business Analysis and Reporting (BAR), Information Systems and Controls (ISC), or Tax Compliance and Planning (TCP). Once you pass your first section, you have a 30-month rolling window to pass the remaining 3.
The test itself contains multiple-choice and task-based simulation questions. The multiple-choice questions test your ability to retain and recall the knowledge necessary to be a successful CPA. Task-based simulations (TBSs) are more complex, and they test your application of CPA knowledge in real-world scenarios.
4. Complete your work experience
Georgia requires at least 1 year (2,000 hours) of supervised accounting experience. “Acceptable work experience” means tasks and duties related to being a CPA. This can include public accounting, government, industry, or academia.
5. Apply for your CPA license
Once your education, exam scores, and experience are verified, the next step is applying for your license through the Georgia State Board of Accountancy.
Timeline for Earning Your CPA License
Education (4–6 Years)
A 4-year bachelor’s program will generally give you 120 of the 150 semester hours of education you need to move forward with the CPA process in Georgia. There are a few different ways to get the remaining 30 credits. Many CPA candidates:
- Enroll in a post-graduate program like a master’s degree.
- Double major in related topics (like accounting and business).
- Take additional accounting and/or business courses after graduation.
Experience (1 Year)
One year of supervised accounting work—about 2,000 hours—is required before you can apply for your CPA license in Georgia. This experience must be verified by a licensed CPA and can come from public practice, private industry, government, or academia.
Exam (1–2 Years)
Passing all 4 parts of the CPA Exam can take a year or 2, depending on how quickly you prepare and schedule your sections. Most candidates spend months studying before each part.
Apply for a GA State License (A Few Weeks)
After meeting the education, exam, and experience requirements, you submit your licensure application to the GSBA. Once your file is complete (all documents, transcripts, verification, and fees), the board may take a few weeks to process the application. The application fee is $140.
Continuing Education (Every 2 Years)
Georgia CPAs must complete 80 hours of continuing professional education (CPE) every two years, including 4 ethics CPE credits, with 1 credit specifically focused on Georgia’s laws, rules, and Board policies.
CPA Licensing Costs in Georgia
The total cost of becoming a CPA in Georgia depends heavily on where you complete your education and how you fulfill your ongoing CPE requirements.
A full-on bachelor’s program at an accredited institution can cost you tens of thousands of dollars.
CPE is a recurring expense that might cost you a few hundred dollars per renewal period, depending on the format. For example, the Georgia Society of CPAs (GSCPA) advertises a wide range of options, including live streams, in-person seminars, multi-day conferences, and online self-study courses at a variety of price points.
Your predictable costs are exam and licensing fees. As mentioned, the fee to apply for your state license is $140.
To take your CPA Exam in Georgia, you can reasonably expect to pay about $1,000–$1,200. Here is how those fees break down:
- $96 for an exam evaluation fee
- Approximately $262 to take each exam section, totaling just over $1,050 for the entire exam.
- Together, those fees total about $1,145 to take the CPA Exam in Georgia
Career Outlook for Georgia CPAs
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for accountants and auditors—including CPAs—is projected to grow 5% nationwide over the next decade. In Georgia, CPAs earn between $48,140 and $140,640 per year, with pay influenced by experience, education, and certifications.
After you receive your license, you can take your career in a few different directions. Many CPAs go into public accounting, while others build careers in corporate finance, government, or education. Some open their own practices and work directly with individuals and small businesses.
The education and certification requirements may seem demanding upfront, but they translate into career flexibility and strong earning potential over time. It’s also worth comparing the CPA credential to other designations, such as an enrolled agent (EA), to understand which path fits best with your career goals.
FAQs About Becoming a CPA in Georgia
Can CPAs prepare tax returns in multiple states?
Yes. As a licensed CPA, you can generally prepare tax returns for clients across all 50 states. Most states allow CPAs in good standing to provide non-attest services (like tax, consulting, and advisory work) under mobility laws without needing full licensure in each state.
Note: In Georgia, expanded practice mobility under House Bill 148 will take effect January 1, 2026. This legislation further streamlines how Georgia CPAs can offer services across state lines.
How much can I expect to earn as a CPA?
CPAs in Georgia earn competitive salaries that often exceed those of non-licensed accountants. Accountants and auditors in the 10th percentile of Georgia earners make nearly $50,000 per year, according to the BLS, while 90th-percentile earners average just over $140,000. Pay depends on your specialization and experience.
How often can I retake the CPA exam?
If you don’t pass a section on your first try, you can retake it during the next testing window. You must pass all 4 sections within a 30-month rolling period. There’s no strict cap on retakes, but you’ll need to pay exam fees each time you sit.
How do you maintain your CPA license?
After you’re licensed, maintaining your CPA status in Georgia requires completing 80 hours of continuing professional education every 2 years. At least 4 of those hours must be in ethics. You’ll also need to renew your license with the Georgia State Board of Accountancy every 2 years and stay in good ethical and professional standing.
Take the Next Step with Intuit
Earning your CPA license in Georgia is a big achievement that opens doors to many rewarding careers in the financial world.
If you’re ready to put your accounting skills to work, explore open roles with Intuit and apply now. For those focused on the Atlanta market, keep an eye on our dedicated page for CPA jobs in Atlanta.