Michigan hasn't changed its rules yet, but two bills are moving. Today you need at least 150 semester hours, including a bachelor's or higher degree with an accounting concentration. You can sit for the exam with a bachelor's-level accounting curriculum.
Experience is 1 year, verified by a CPA. Senate Bill 1113 would add a route with 2 years of experience. It reached the Committee of the Whole on October 6, 2026. It isn't law. Plan on the 150-hour route for now.
Ask the Michigan Board of Accountancy before you pick courses.
How to Get a CPA License in Michigan
Every route also asks you to pass the Uniform CPA Exam. Here's how the education and experience fit together in Michigan.
| Route | Education | Experience | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 150-hour route | At least 150 semester hours, including a bachelor's or higher degree with a concentration in accounting | 1 year verified by a CPA | In effect |
| Bachelor's plus 2 years | Set by proposed bills that are not law | 2 years | Proposed |
Education to Sit for the CPA Exam in Michigan
You need a bachelor's-level accounting curriculum at a board-approved institution.
What Changed Recently
No new route is law. HB 4893 passed the House 93-9 on November 12, 2025 and sits in Senate Regulatory Affairs. SB 1113 was reported with a substitute on October 1, 2026 and sent to the Committee of the Whole on October 6, 2026.
What Accountants Earn in Michigan
Accountants and auditors in Michigan earned a median of $78,820 a year in May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The middle half earned between $63,850 and $101,030. About 41,460 people held these jobs in the state.
Accounting Programs in Michigan
3 programs on our main rankings are based in Michigan. A degree from a school in the state is often the simplest way to match the board's coursework rules.
- Walsh College, Bachelor of Accountancy: one of our 100 best bachelor's accounting programs
- Michigan State University, Bachelor of Science in Accounting: one of our 100 best bachelor's accounting programs
- Northwood University, Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting: one of our 100 best bachelor'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 Michigan stand on the bachelor's-plus-experience route.
- Indiana CPA requirements: bachelor's route starts January 1, 2027
- Ohio CPA requirements: bachelor's route in effect since January 1, 2026
- Wisconsin CPA requirements: bachelor's route in effect
Check With the Michigan 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.