Arizona's licensing rules change on January 1, 2027. Until then, the 150-hour rule and 2,000 hours of experience still apply. After that date, a new law gives you three routes. You can use a bachelor's degree with two years of experience.
You can add 30 semester hours to the bachelor's and need one year. Or you can use a postbaccalaureate degree with one year. You'll also be able to sit for the exam with a degree that includes the accounting hours the board requires.
If you're finishing a bachelor's now, ask the Arizona State Board of Accountancy which route fits your timeline.
How to Get a CPA License in Arizona
Every route also asks you to pass the Uniform CPA Exam. Here's how the education and experience fit together in Arizona.
| Route | Education | Experience | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 150-hour route | Bachelor's degree or higher with 150 semester hours | 2,000 hours of paid or unpaid experience | In effect |
| Bachelor's plus 2 years | Bachelor's degree | At least two years of experience | Starts January 1, 2027 |
| Bachelor's plus 30 hours | Bachelor's degree plus 30 additional semester hours | At least one year of experience | Starts January 1, 2027 |
| Graduate degree plus 1 year | Postbaccalaureate degree | At least one year of experience | Starts January 1, 2027 |
Education to Sit for the CPA Exam in Arizona
Starting January 1, 2027, you can sit with a bachelor's or postbaccalaureate degree that includes the accounting semester hours the board requires.
Ethics Exam
You need a score of at least 90 percent on an American Institute of Certified Public Accountants ethics exam taken within the 2 years before you apply.
What Changed Recently
SB 1181 was signed April 7, 2026 (Laws 2026, Chapter 17). It takes effect January 1, 2027 and removes the 150-hour requirement.
What Accountants Earn in Arizona
Accountants and auditors in Arizona earned a median of $79,970 a year in May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The middle half earned between $64,990 and $103,640. About 27,410 people held these jobs in the state.
Accounting Programs in Arizona
4 programs on our main rankings are based in Arizona. A degree from a school in the state is often the simplest way to match the board's coursework rules.
- University of Arizona, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Accounting: #3 of 100 bachelor's accounting programs
- Arizona State University Digital Immersion, Bachelor of Science in Accountancy: #14 of 100 bachelor's accounting programs
- Grand Canyon University, Bachelor of Science in Accounting: one of our 100 best bachelor's accounting programs
- University of Arizona, Master of Science in Accounting: one of our 50 best master's accounting programs
CPA Requirements in Nearby States
Thinking about working across a state line, or studying in one state and licensing in another? Each state sets its own rules, so here's where the states near Arizona stand on the bachelor's-plus-experience route.
- California CPA requirements: bachelor's route starts January 1, 2027
- Colorado CPA requirements: bachelor's route starts January 1, 2027
- Nevada CPA requirements: bachelor's route in effect since February 27, 2026
- New Mexico CPA requirements: bachelor's route in effect since January 1, 2026
- Utah CPA requirements: bachelor's route in effect since July 1, 2026
Check With the Arizona State Board of Accountancy
The board sets the rules and decides your application. We checked these requirements against official sources on October 12, 2026. Rules change, so confirm the details on the board's site before you apply.