On February 11, 2026, New Jersey opened a second route to a CPA license. A law signed January 12, 2026 created it. The route needs a bachelor's degree, two years of work experience, and a passing CPA Exam score.
The older route still stands. It asks for 150 credits and one year of accounting experience. If you're finishing a bachelor's, the new route may fit you. Confirm the details with the New Jersey State Board of Accountancy before you enroll.
How to Get a CPA License in New Jersey
Every route also asks you to pass the Uniform CPA Exam. Here's how the education and experience fit together in New Jersey.
| Route | Education | Experience | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's plus 2 years | A bachelor's degree. | 2 years of work experience. | In effect since February 11, 2026 |
| 150-hour route | At least 150 credits. | 1 year of accounting experience. | In effect |
Education to Sit for the CPA Exam in New Jersey
You need a bachelor's degree or its equivalent with at least 120 semester hours. That includes 24 semester hours of accounting and 24 of business courses other than accounting.
Coursework: 24 semester hours in accounting and 24 in business courses other than accounting, to sit for the exam.
Ethics Exam
New Jersey has no ethics exam for the license. You complete an orientation course with a 4-credit New Jersey law and ethics course within 6 months of getting licensed (or up to 6 months before).
What Changed Recently
A5598 was signed January 12, 2026 and took effect February 11, 2026. It added a bachelor's plus 2 years route.
What Accountants Earn in New Jersey
Accountants and auditors in New Jersey earned a median of $100,830 a year in May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The middle half earned between $80,320 and $129,280. About 42,250 people held these jobs in the state.
Accounting Programs in New Jersey
9 programs on our main rankings are based in New Jersey. A degree from a school in the state is often the simplest way to match the board's coursework rules.
- The College of New Jersey, Accounting, BS: #20 of 100 bachelor's accounting programs
- Rutgers University-New Brunswick, Accounting and Accounting Information Systems Major (Bachelor of Science in Business): one of our 100 best bachelor's accounting programs
- Montclair State University, Bachelor of Science in Accounting: one of our 100 best bachelor's accounting programs
- Rutgers University-Newark, Accounting and Accounting Information Systems Major (B.S., Rutgers Business School Newark; formerly the Accounting major): one of our 100 best bachelor's accounting programs
- William Paterson University of New Jersey, Accounting (BS): one of our 100 best bachelor's accounting programs
- Rutgers University-Newark, Master of Accountancy in Governmental Accounting: #15 of 50 master's accounting programs
- Seton Hall University, Master of Science in Accounting: one of our 50 best master's accounting programs
- Montclair State University, Master of Science in Accounting: one of our 50 best master's accounting programs
- Rider University, Accountancy (Master of Accountancy): one of our 50 best master's accounting programs
See every program we rank in the state on our New Jersey accounting programs page.
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 New Jersey stand on the bachelor's-plus-experience route.
- Delaware CPA requirements: bachelor's route in effect since July 1, 2026
- New York CPA requirements: bachelor's route starts November 21, 2026
- Pennsylvania CPA requirements: bachelor's route in effect since June 30, 2025
Check With the New Jersey 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.