Additional Pathway to CPA

Recognizing the need to increase access to the accounting field, the New Jersey Society of CPAs has proposed an additional pathway to obtain CPA licensure in New Jersey. 

We drafted a bill to modify New Jersey’s Accountancy Act. Assembly bill A5598, which is sponsored by Assemblyman Sterley Stanley, passed the Assembly Regulated Professions Committee on May 15 and is scheduled for a full Assembly vote on May 22. The bill includes the following provisions:

  • New licensure pathway option: In addition to the existing 150-hour option, candidates will be able to pursue a CPA license by earning a bachelor’s degree, completing two years of experience and passing the CPA Exam.
  • Individual practice privileges (mobility): CPAs licensed in another state will be able to practice in New Jersey as long as they have a bachelor’s or higher degree, have passed the CPA Exam and have at least one year of experience as a licensed CPA. The same requirements will be necessary for gaining a reciprocal license in New Jersey.
  • Safe harbor provision: CPAs licensed in New Jersey prior to the effective date of the bill will automatically retain their license.

All provisions would be effective Jan. 1, 2026. At that time, the licensure pathways in New Jersey would be:

  Education Experience Exam
PATHWAY 1 150 credits One year Passage of CPA Exam
PATHWAY 2 Bachelor’s degree Two years Passage of CPA Exam

 

Across the Country

AICPA/NASBA:

  • The American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) and National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) have approved expansion of accountancy's model legislation to include an additional path to CPA licensure. The bachelor's degree path, paired with two years of professional experience and passage of the CPA Exam, will become part of the model accounting law.

States (as of May 14, 2025):

  • 13 states have passed legislation to include an additional pathway to licensure.
  • 25 states have introduced legislation this year or are expected to do so soon.

Get more details on what's happening across the country (courtesy of the Minnesota Society of CPAs).

 

What You Can Do

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Call or email your legislators

We’ll be reaching out soon to ask members to contact their legislators to urge them to support the bill. Watch for an email about that. 

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Follow the bill's progress

  • A5598 passed the Assembly Regulated Professions Committee on May 15.
  • Next step: Full Assembly vote is scheduled for Thursday, May 22.

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Support the NJ-CPA-PAC

Help us support New Jersey lawmakers who support issues important to CPAs. 

 

 

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