Nebraska's new bachelor's route is already open. It took effect July 17, 2026, under a law the governor approved February 25, 2026. You can now sit for the exam with a bachelor's degree. You'll need 24 semester hours of upper-level accounting and 24 of general business, including Business Ethics.
To get licensed, you have three routes. You can add one year after a master's, one year after a bachelor's plus 30 hours, or two years after a bachelor's. The bachelor's route asks for 4,000 hours of supervised experience. If you're finishing a bachelor's, confirm with the Nebraska State Board of Public Accountancy that your coursework counts.
How to Get a CPA License in Nebraska
Every route also asks you to pass the Uniform CPA Exam. Here's how the education and experience fit together in Nebraska.
| Route | Education | Experience | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Graduate degree plus 1 year | A master's degree, with 24 semester hours of upper-level accounting and 24 of general business. | At least 2,000 hours in no less than 1 and no more than 3 years. | In effect |
| Bachelor's plus 30 hours | A bachelor's degree plus 30 additional semester hours. | At least 2,000 hours in no less than 1 and no more than 3 years. | In effect |
| Bachelor's plus 2 years | A bachelor's degree, with 24 semester hours of upper-level accounting and 24 of general business. | At least 4,000 hours in no less than 2 and no more than 6 years. | In effect since July 17, 2026 |
Education to Sit for the CPA Exam in Nebraska
Since July 17, 2026, you can sit with a bachelor's degree from an accredited school. You need 24 semester hours of upper-level accounting and 24 of general business, including Business Ethics.
Coursework: At least 24 semester hours of upper-level accounting (not principles) and 24 of general business including Business Ethics.
Ethics Exam
Your certificate shows you completed the required ethics exams.
What Changed Recently
LB 718 was approved February 25, 2026. It took effect July 17, 2026 and added the bachelor's plus 2 years route.
What Accountants Earn in Nebraska
Accountants and auditors in Nebraska earned a median of $72,080 a year in May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The middle half earned between $59,990 and $90,660. About 10,340 people held these jobs in the state.
Accounting Programs in Nebraska
None of the programs on our main rankings are based in Nebraska. 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 Nebraska stand on the bachelor's-plus-experience route.
- Colorado CPA requirements: bachelor's route starts January 1, 2027
- Iowa CPA requirements: bachelor's route in effect since July 1, 2026
- Kansas CPA requirements: bachelor's route in effect since April 23, 2026
- Missouri CPA requirements: bachelor's route in effect since August 28, 2026
- South Dakota CPA requirements: bachelor's route in effect since July 1, 2026
- Wyoming CPA requirements: no bachelor's route at this time
Check With the Nebraska State Board of Public 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.