This guide breaks down the entire path step by step: education requirements, the CPA Exam process, timelines, costs, and the jobs available once you’re licensed.
Key Points
- Illinois requires 150 semester hours of education, including specific coursework, to become a CPA.
- You can sit for the CPA Exam after 120 hours, but you’ll need 150 to get licensed.
- You must complete 1 year of supervised work experience and pass the AICPA ethics exam before applying for your license.
- The CPA Exam includes 4 sections, and candidates have 30 months after passing their first section to pass the rest.
- Illinois does not require residency to become a licensed CPA.
CPA Eligibility Requirements in Illinois
Illinois sets a few minimum requirements for becoming a licensed CPA:
- Education: 150 total semester hours (bachelor’s or higher) with specific accounting and business coursework
- Exam: Pass all 4 sections within 30 months (after ILBOE approves you to test)
- Ethics: Complete the AICPA Professional Ethics course/exam
- Experience: 1 year of relevant, full-time accounting work (or the part-time equivalent)
Next, we’ll walk through each step in more detail, from completing your education to applying for your license.
Step-by-Step Guide to Earning Your CPA License in Illinois
Becoming a licensed CPA in Illinois isn’t just about passing a test. It’s a journey that takes time, effort, and persistence. But once you understand the process, each step is clear and achievable.
You’ll go through 2 main stages:
- Certification, Illinois Board of Examiners (ILBOE): This is where you prove you’ve met the education requirements, pass the CPA Exam, and complete the Ethics Exam. Once certified, you receive a CPA certificate number.
- Licensing, Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR): After certification, you apply for your license with IDFPR. This step requires your work experience and makes you a fully licensed CPA who can practice.
1: Complete Education Requirements
Before you can earn your CPA certificate, you must complete 150 semester hours of college credit. Depending on which pathway you follow, you may be able to sit for the CPA Exam after completing 120 hours and then finish your coursework before applying for your certificate.
You can meet the educational requirements through several different pathways, depending on your degree and the accreditation of your programs:
Option 1: Graduate degree in accounting
You need a graduate degree specifically in accounting (like a master’s in accounting) from a school that’s properly recognized by the Illinois Board. The accounting program must have special accreditation, specifically either:
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) accreditation, OR
- Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) accreditation
Option 2: Graduate degree in business or accounting
You need:
- A graduate degree in either business (like an MBA) or accounting from a school whose business department has AACSB or ACBSP accreditation
- Note: This is different from Option 1. Here, it’s the business department that needs accreditation, not necessarily the accounting program specifically.
- At least 30 semester hours specifically in accounting courses, which must include at least:
- 1 course in financial accounting
- 1 course in managerial accounting
- 1 course in tax
- 1 course in audit
- Exam at 120 hours: You can sit for the CPA Exam at 120 hours as long as you have completed 24 semester hours in accounting (including 1 course in tax and 1 in audit)
Option 3: General bachelor’s or non-accredited graduate degree
You need 1 of these degree options:
- A bachelor’s degree in anything (accounting, history, engineering, whatever) from a regionally accredited school
- A graduate degree in accounting or business from a school that does NOT have AACSB or ACBSP accreditation for its business/accounting programs
- A graduate degree in something other than accounting or business (like a master’s in education, engineering, etc.) from a regionally accredited school
Plus, you must have:
- 30 semester hours in accounting courses, including at least 1 course each in:
- Financial Accounting
- Managerial Accounting
- Tax
- Audit
- 24 semester hours in business courses, including:
- 2 credit hours in business communication
- 3 credit hours in business ethics
- Exam at 120 hours: You can sit for the CPA Exam after 120 hours as long as you’ve completed 24 semester hours in accounting (including 1 class in tax and 1 class in audit) and 12 semester hours in business.
2. Apply for and Pass the CPA Exam
Once you’ve met the educational requirements, you can apply for the exam through the Illinois Board of Examiners. It will evaluate your transcripts and send you a Notice to Schedule (NTS) when approved.
The CPA Exam includes 4 parts: 3 Core sections and 1 Discipline section of your choice.
- Core sections:
- Auditing and Attestation (AUD)
- Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR)
- Regulation (REG)
- 1 discipline section of your choice:
- Business Analytics and Reporting (BAR)
- Information Systems and Controls (ISC)
- Tax Compliance and Planning (TCP)
Each section is scored out of 99, and you’ll need a 75 or higher to pass. Once you pass your first section, you’ll have 30 months to complete the remaining 3.
3. Fulfill Work Experience Standards
Illinois requires you to complete 1 year of full-time work experience under the supervision of a licensed CPA. Qualifying experience can include accounting, attest, tax, consulting, financial advisory, or management advisory services. You can complete this in public accounting, corporate finance, government agencies, or even education, as long as the work involves CPA-level skills.
4. Complete Ethics Requirement
Before applying for your license, you’ll need to pass the AICPA Professional Ethics for CPAs course and exam.
You’ll need a score of 90% or higher to pass. The course is self-paced and online, so you can complete it alongside your work experience or right after your exams.
5. Apply for Your Illinois CPA License
Once you’ve earned certification from the ILBOE, you can apply for your CPA license through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. The ILBOE sends your certification to the IDFPR, and after IDFPR updates its systems, you can submit your license application.
Illinois Is a Two-Tier CPA State
Illinois follows a two-tier system for CPA designation. That means there are two distinct steps in becoming a CPA: certification and licensure.
Once you’ve met all education, exam, and ethics requirements, the Illinois Board of Examiners (ILBOE) issues your CPA certificate. This certificate allows you to call yourself a CPA, but it doesn’t grant the right to practice public accounting or perform attest services, ike audits or reviews.
To practice as a licensed CPA in Illinois — meaning you can legally sign or supervise attest reports — you must apply for licensure through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR).
If you hold a CPA certificate but choose not to obtain a license, you’ll need to register with IDFPR instead. Registered CPAs can still use the CPA title, but they cannot perform attest functions or represent themselves as licensed practitioners.
Note: Some organizations require an active CPA license rather than a registration for certain roles or services. This distinction aligns with IRS guidance, which recognizes active CPA and law licenses for representation before the IRS.
How Long Does It Take to Become a CPA in Illinois?
Candidates might spend 6 to 7 years from college to license. But your timeline may be shorter or longer depending on your school, schedule, and study habits.
Here’s the typical timeline:
- Education: Earning the required 150 semester hours usually takes 5 years, especially if you’re adding a master’s degree or extra coursework after your bachelor’s.
- CPA Exam: Once you’ve been approved to test, plan for 6 to 12 months of study to pass all 4 sections. Some candidates might knock it out in 4 months. Others might use the whole 30-month testing window.
- Work experience: You’ll need 12 months of full-time work under a licensed CPA, which many people complete while studying or right after the exam.
- Ethics and licensing: The AICPA ethics coursework and exam are self-paced and theoretically could be finished in a few days. The licensing application process may take another 6 to 8 weeks to process.
Costs of CPA Licensure in Illinois
The total cost to become a CPA in Illinois varies depending on how you approach education, prep, and licensing.
CPA Exam Fees
- Application fee: $120 if applying for 4 exam sections ($40 for 1; $76 for 2; $108 for 3)
- Total exam cost (all 4 sections): $900 (about $225 per section)
- Retake fees: Same price per section
- Total: $1,020 or more, depending on how you navigate the application process and the number of retakes necessary
Education Costs
This varies big time. A 4-year degree in the US costs about $109,000 at a public in-state school, $183,000 out-of-state, and $226,000 at a private college, according to the Education Data Initiative.
A full master’s program at a public school averages nearly $52,000 in the US, while earning a degree at a private school averages just over $62,000. That said, many candidates choose a less expensive path by picking up extra credits through community colleges or accredited online courses at a few hundred dollars per credit.
CPA Review Course (Optional, But Helpful)
Most candidates prepare for the CPA Exam by taking a review course. Depending on the provider, expect to spend $2,000 to $5,000.
Ethics Exam
Illinois is among the many states that require CPA candidates to take an ethics exam—specifically, the AICPA ethics exam. It’s administered online as a self-study course and costs either $250 or $320, depending on whether you’re an AICPA member.
License Application
The initial licensing fee to become a CPA in Illinois is $120. After that, the state will charge you another $40 per year to keep your license current.
Ongoing Costs
Illinois CPAs are required to complete 120 hours of continuing professional education (CPE) every 3-year license renewal period. Of the 120 hours, the state mandates that 4 hours focus on ethics. Costs vary depending on the provider and format—self-study, webinars, or in-person seminars—but most professionals can expect to spend a few hundred dollars each renewal cycle to meet the requirement.
Career Outlook for Illinois CPAs
Becoming a CPA in Illinois opens doors in nearly every industry, from public accounting to corporate finance to government work.
Here are a few career paths CPAs in Illinois commonly pursue:
- Public accounting firms (audit, tax, advisory)
- Corporate accounting (financial reporting, internal audit, controller roles)
- Government agencies (IRS, state/local government, public boards)
- Independent consulting or entrepreneurship
- Remote CPA roles through companies like Intuit
If you’re considering where this credential might take you, it’s worth exploring the difference between CPAs and enrolled agents. Both paths can build rewarding careers. It’s all about what fits your skills and goals.
Illinois CPA Salaries: What to Expect
In Illinois, CPA salaries range depending on your location, specialty, and experience level. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data the average annual salaries for accountants and auditors in Illinois are:
- 10th-percentile earners: $51,690
- 25th percentile: $79,300
- 75th percentile: $100,540
- 90th percentile: $132,080
If you’re still deciding what kind of tax career is right for you, here’s a helpful breakdown of the career path for tax preparers, from entry level to expert.
FAQs About Becoming a CPA in Illinois
Can CPAs prepare tax returns in multiple states?
Yes. Once you’re licensed, you can prepare tax returns for clients across the US. But keep in mind: Some states require additional registration if you’re filing as an out-of-state CPA. If you’re offering services in multiple states, it’s smart to double-check local rules or work with a national platform that handles those compliance details for you.
How much can I expect to earn as a CPA?
Entry-level CPAs often start in the low $50,000s to $60,000s, according to BLS data. Experienced professionals and managers can make well into 6 figures. Salaries may climb even higher in high-demand markets like Chicago or in specialized areas such as audit, tax, or advisory.
How often can I retake the CPA exam?
If you don’t pass a section, you can retake it. There’s no limit on the number of attempts. You just have to wait for your score to be released before reapplying for that section. Remember that once you pass your first section, you have 30 months to pass the remaining 3.
How do you maintain your CPA license?
To keep your CPA license active in Illinois, you’ll need to complete 120 hours of continuing professional education every 3 years, including 4 hours of ethics training. You’ll also need to renew your license and pay a renewal fee.
Start Your CPA Career in Illinois
If you’re serious about becoming a CPA in Illinois, there’s no better time than now. You’ve got the step-by-step roadmap. Now, it’s all about taking action.
If you’re looking for a flexible, remote-friendly role with real growth potential, explore tax career paths with Intuit and apply now. Join us in powering prosperity for millions of customers while building a future that grows with you.