Nevada has two routes to the license now. The 150-hour route needs 150 semester hours, including 24 upper-level accounting hours and 24 business hours. You'll also work at least 2,000 hours under an active CPA over at least one year. Since February 27, 2026, Regulation R054-25 adds a second route: a bachelor's degree, two years of experience and a passing CPA exam score.
You'll need a bachelor's degree to sit for the exam. An accounting major qualifies, and other majors need at least 18 upper-level accounting semester hours. Check the details with the Nevada State Board of Accountancy before you plan around the new route.
How to Get a CPA License in Nevada
Every route also asks you to pass the Uniform CPA Exam. Here's how the education and experience fit together in Nevada.
| Route | Education | Experience | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 150-hour route | At least 150 semester hours, including 24 upper-level accounting hours, 3 business law hours and 24 business hours. | At least 2,000 hours over not less than 1 year under an active CPA. | In effect |
| Bachelor's plus 2 years | A bachelor's degree | 2 years of experience | In effect since February 27, 2026 |
Education to Sit for the CPA Exam in Nevada
You need a bachelor's degree. An accounting major qualifies. Other majors need at least 18 upper-level accounting semester hours, including 6 in financial accounting, 3 in auditing and 3 in federal tax.
Coursework: 24 upper-level accounting semester hours (6 financial, 3 cost or managerial, 3 auditing, 3 federal tax, 9 electives), 3 business law and 24 business.
Ethics Exam
You pass a professional ethics exam taken no earlier than 3 years before you file.
What Changed Recently
Regulation R054-25 took effect February 27, 2026 and adds a route to the license: a bachelor's degree, two years of experience and passing the CPA exam. The 150-hour route remains.
What Accountants Earn in Nevada
Accountants and auditors in Nevada earned a median of $81,600 a year in May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The middle half earned between $68,190 and $103,640. About 6,930 people held these jobs in the state.
Accounting Programs in Nevada
None of the programs on our main rankings are based in Nevada. 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 Nevada stand on the bachelor's-plus-experience route.
- Arizona CPA requirements: bachelor's route starts January 1, 2027
- California CPA requirements: bachelor's route starts January 1, 2027
- Idaho CPA requirements: bachelor's route in effect since July 1, 2026
- Oregon 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 Nevada 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.