From small shops to global corporations, businesses in North Carolina rely on skilled certified public accountants (CPAs) to keep their finances on track. Licensed CPAs serve as trusted advisors who help businesses grow and navigate the US tax code to make smart financial decisions.
If you’re ready to join their ranks, here’s the good news: The steps to becoming a CPA in North Carolina are clear. You’ll need the right education, hands-on experience, and a passing score on the CPA Exam. Every milestone moves you closer to a credential that can open doors across industries.
This guide walks you through exactly how to become a CPA in North Carolina, from your first accounting class to applying for your license.
Key Points
- In addition to 120–150 credit hours of education, prospective CPAs in NC need to pass all 4 CPA Exam sections, complete a state-specific ethics course, and earn 1 to 2 years of supervised experience.
- The whole process of becoming a CPA typically takes 6–8 years from the start of college to licensure.
- According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), midcareer CPAs in North Carolina earn between $63,590 and $103,820.
- You must complete 40 hours of continuing education each year to maintain your license.
Requirements to Become a CPA
North Carolina has rigorous requirements for who can sit for the CPA Exam and, ultimately, earn a license. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Education: 150 hours of accounting coursework from an accredited university, including a bachelor’s degree
- Experience: The North Carolina Board of CPA Examiners requires 1 year of work experience to qualify for licensure.
- Citizenship: You must be a US citizen or legally reside in the country.
- Minimum age: 18
On top of these core requirements, you must complete a North Carolina Association of CPAs (NCACPA) ethics course in accountancy law within 1 year before applying for your license.
Note: Beginning in 2026, North Carolina is launching an experience-based pathway that lets candidates with a bachelor’s degree in accounting and 2 years of supervised experience qualify for CPA licensure.
Step-by-Step Process to Become a CPA in North Carolina
When starting down the tax prep career path, the CPA Exam often takes center stage. And while it is demanding, it’s just 1 of several steps to licensure. Here’s a broader look at what it takes to become a CPA in North Carolina.
1. Complete Your Education
To be eligible for CPA licensure in North Carolina, you must complete 150 semester hours at an accredited university, including a bachelor’s degree with an accounting concentration. Your education also must consist of at least 1 3-hour course in at least 8 of the following 10 disciplines:
- Economics
- Ethics
- Finance
- Humanities/social studies
- Communications
- Computer technology
- International environment
- Law
- Management
- Statistics
Many candidates pursue a master’s in accounting or tack on extra classes after graduation to reach 150 hours. If you’re looking to become a CPA in NC and already have a master’s, that may satisfy your education requirement.
Beginning January 1, 2026, North Carolina’s new experience-based pathway takes effect. This route allows candidates with a bachelor’s degree in accounting and 2 years of verified work experience to qualify without meeting the 150-hour education requirement.
2. Apply for the CPA Exam
Once you’ve met North Carolina’s education requirements, your next step is to apply for the North Carolina CPA Exam.
There are 2 application types:
- Initial application: For candidates taking the CPA Exam in North Carolina for the first time
- Re-exam application: For candidates who have already applied for at least 1 exam section within the past 5 years
You’ll submit your application directly with official transcripts and any required documentation verifying your accounting concentration. All applicants are also subject to a background check conducted by the board.
Effective August 2025, exam fees include:
- Administrative fee: $230 for initial applicants; $75 for re-exam applicants
- Exam section fee: $265.57 per section
Once your application is approved, you’ll receive a Notice to Schedule (NTS) via the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA). That NTS allows you to choose your testing dates and locations at Prometric testing centers.
3. Pass All 4 Exam Sections
The Uniform CPA Exam is made up of 4 parts—3 Core sections and 1 Discipline area you choose based on your career goals:
Core:
- Auditing and Attestation (AUD)
- Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR)
- Taxation and Regulation (REG)
Discipline (choose 1):
- Business Analysis and Reporting (BAR)
- Information Systems and Controls (ISC)
- Tax Compliance and Planning (TCP)
To pass, you must score at least 75 on each section (out of 99). And you must complete all 4 sections within a 30-month testing window from the date you pass your first exam.
4. Take the NC Law and Professional Ethics Course
North Carolina requires all CPA candidates to complete a state-specific ethics course before applying for licensure. NC Accountancy Law: Ethics, Principles, & Professional Responsibilities, available through the NCACPA, is the only ethics course the state will accept. It’s an 8-hour course, and you’re expected to complete it within 1 year before applying for your CPA license.
5. Gain Supervised Work Experience
Before applying for your license, you’ll need 1 year of work experience in accounting, completed under the direct supervision of a CPA. North Carolina defines 1 year of experience as at least 30 hours of work per week over a 52-week period.
Starting in 2026, North Carolina’s new experience-based pathway will allow for a bachelor’s degree in accounting and 2 years of verified experience without meeting the 150-hour education requirement.
6. Apply for Your License
North Carolina’s CPA application package consists of your application form, a gender and ethnicity questionnaire, 3 certificates of good moral character, and other supporting documents. These documents prove your experience, education, and exam grades.
You’ll also need to provide a 2-by-2-inch photo or digital image that meets NC standards. You’ll submit the state licensing fee of $100 along with your packet and, once approved, you’ll officially become a CPA licensed to practice in North Carolina.
How Long Does It Take to Become a CPA in North Carolina?
The journey usually takes 6 to 8 years from the start of college to receiving your license. Here’s how that breaks down:
- Education (4–5 years): Depending on the candidate’s chosen NC CPA licensure pathway, education required for licensure usually takes 4-5 years. Some candidates need an additional semester or 2 if they need to add accounting or business coursework after graduation.
- Exam (1–2.5 years): Preparing for all 4 parts of the CPA Exam typically takes 320–420 study hours, but you also need to account for review and practice tests. The state gives you a 30-month rolling window once you pass your first section.
- Work experience (1 year): Beginning in 2026, North Carolina requires 1-2 years of supervised work under a licensed CPA, which you can often complete while studying for exams.
How Much Does It Cost?
Becoming a CPA in North Carolina comes with a price tag. While exact costs vary, here’s a breakdown of the most common fees:
- Exam application fee: It costs $230 to apply through the NC Board of CPA Examiners. Additionally, each additional exam section within
- Exam fees: Each exam section costs $265.57.
- Ethics course: The NC Accountancy Law and Professional Ethics course costs $295 for NCACPA members and $500 for non-members.
- License fee: The initial license application is $100.
- Renewal fee: After you’re licensed, expect an annual renewal fee of $60.
- Study materials: CPA prep courses and review tools can add another $1,000 to $3,000, depending on the provider and study format you choose.
In total, candidates might spend about $3,000 or more to go from the exam application to becoming a licensed CPA. While that’s a serious investment, it often pays off with higher salaries and broader career opportunities.
Career Opportunities for CPAs
Once you have your license, you’ll find no shortage of opportunities in North Carolina. Demand for accountants and auditors is growing statewide. It’s a need so strong that lawmakers recently created the new experience-based pathway to CPA licensure to help expand the talent pipeline.
Here are some common career paths for CPAs:
- Public accounting: Work for a firm auditing financial statements, advising on tax strategies, or providing consulting services.
- Corporate roles: Join a company as a controller, financial analyst, or CFO, helping steer budgets and strategy.
- Government and nonprofit: Apply your skills to public service by working for state agencies, municipalities, or nonprofit organizations.
- Independent practice: Build your own book of clients, handling taxes, audits, and financial planning.
In North Carolina, accountants and auditors in the 25th through 75th percentiles of earners make between $63,590 and $103,820, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. Major hubs like Charlotte, Raleigh, and Greensboro might offer the highest pay thanks to their strong banking, tech, and healthcare sectors.
If you’re weighing your options, it may help to compare enrolled agents vs. CPAs to see which credential best fits your long-term career goals.
FAQs About Becoming a CPA
Can CPAs prepare tax returns in multiple states?
Yes. A CPA licensed in North Carolina can prepare federal tax returns and, with proper registration, state returns in multiple states. Each state may have its own filing requirements for tax preparers, so you’ll need to follow those rules if you’re serving clients outside North Carolina.
How much can I expect to earn as a CPA?
According to the BLS, entry-level CPAs in North Carolina make between $50,940 (10th percentile) and $137,260 (90th percentile). That said, salaries will vary depending on location and specialization.
How often can I retake the CPA Exam?
You can retake a failed section of the CPA Exam once you receive your score for that section. There’s no limit to the number of times you can attempt a section, but you must pass all 4 parts within a 30-month rolling window starting from the date you pass your first section.
How do you maintain your CPA license?
In North Carolina, CPAs must complete 2,000 minutes of continuing professional education (CPE), including at least 50 minutes in ethics, to renew their license annually.
Launch Your CPA Career with Intuit
Becoming a CPA in North Carolina takes hard work, but it opens the door to one of the most respected careers in finance. Once you’ve earned your license, you can put your skills to work helping individuals, businesses, and communities thrive.
At Intuit, we’re always looking for talented accounting professionals who want to make a difference. Explore CPA and tax preparer career paths, check out open CPA jobs in Charlotte and Greensboro, or apply now to take the next step in your career journey today.