Kentucky has offered three CPA pathways since July 15, 2026. Each one needs a degree with an accounting concentration and a passing exam score. A master's degree needs 1 year of experience. A bachelor's plus 30 more semester hours also needs 1 year.
A bachelor's alone needs 2 years. You can sit for the exam with a bachelor's or master's degree. The board lists 27 semester hours of accounting and 12 of business. If you're finishing a bachelor's, check with the Kentucky State Board of Accountancy about which pathway fits your timeline.
How to Get a CPA License in Kentucky
Every route also asks you to pass the Uniform CPA Exam. Here's how the education and experience fit together in Kentucky.
| Route | Education | Experience | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Graduate degree plus 1 year | Post-baccalaureate degree with an accounting concentration | 1 year (2,000 hours) | In effect since July 15, 2026 |
| Bachelor's plus 30 hours | Bachelor's degree with an accounting concentration plus 30 additional semester hours | 1 year (2,000 hours) | In effect since July 15, 2026 |
| Bachelor's plus 2 years | Bachelor's degree with an accounting concentration | 2 years | In effect since July 15, 2026 |
Education to Sit for the CPA Exam in Kentucky
You need a bachelor's or master's degree from an accredited college or university.
Coursework: 27 semester hours of accounting and 12 semester hours of business.
What Changed Recently
HB 45 was signed April 3, 2026. The three pathways took effect July 15, 2026.
What Accountants Earn in Kentucky
Accountants and auditors in Kentucky earned a median of $75,270 a year in May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The middle half earned between $61,040 and $96,780. About 11,930 people held these jobs in the state.
Accounting Programs in Kentucky
None of the programs on our main rankings are based in Kentucky. You can still study online with a school in another state. Before you enroll, check that its accounting and business courses match what the board asks for. Our best online accounting degrees are a good place to start.
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 Kentucky stand on the bachelor's-plus-experience route.
- Illinois CPA requirements: bachelor's route starts January 1, 2027
- Indiana CPA requirements: bachelor's route starts January 1, 2027
- Missouri CPA requirements: bachelor's route in effect since August 28, 2026
- Ohio CPA requirements: bachelor's route in effect since January 1, 2026
- Tennessee CPA requirements: bachelor's route in effect since January 1, 2026
- Virginia CPA requirements: bachelor's route in effect since January 1, 2026
- West Virginia CPA requirements: bachelor's route in effect since May 24, 2026
Check With the Kentucky 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.