New Jersey CPA license requirements
If you’re ready to move forward in your accounting career, we’re providing an overview of the New Jersey CPA requirements, from sitting for the CPA Exam to maintaining your license. For more in-depth information or to check for any updates, we do recommend checking with the New Jersey Board of Accountancy.
All states require CPAs pass the CPA Exam but have different requirements in place to sit for the exam. In New Jersey, you must have a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited college or university and complete 120 semester hours (180 quarter hours). While your degree can be in any field of study, you must have 24 semester hours (36 quarter hours) in accounting and 24 semester hours (36 quarter hours) in non-accounting business courses.
All states require CPAs pass the CPA Exam but have different requirements in place to sit for the exam. In New Jersey, you must have a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited college or university and complete 120 semester hours (180 quarter hours). While your degree can be in any field of study, you must have 24 semester hours (36 quarter hours) in accounting and 24 semester hours (36 quarter hours) in non-accounting business courses.
All states require CPAs pass the CPA Exam but have different requirements in place to sit for the exam. In New Jersey, you must have a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited college or university and complete 120 semester hours (180 quarter hours). While your degree can be in any field of study, you must have 24 semester hours (36 quarter hours) in accounting and 24 semester hours (36 quarter hours) in non-accounting business courses.
CPA Requirements in New Jersey
In addition to passing the CPA Exam, candidates must fulfill additional education and experience requirements to obtain licensure.
Education Requirements
Effective February 11, 2026, New Jersey provides two pathway options to meet the education requirements for CPA licensure.
- Bachelor's degree with accounting concentration from an accredited college or university.
- 150 total semester hours of approved higher education. (If you apply before February 11, 2026, you must meet this education requirement.)
Experience Requirements
- If you meet the 150 hour education requirement, you must complete one year of eligible public accounting experience, supervised by an actively licensed CPA.
- If you meet the bachelor's degree education requirement, you must complete two years of eligible public accounting experience, supervised by an actively licensed CPA.
Ethics Requirements
New Jersey CPA requirements state that within six months of licensure, you must complete an orientation course which must include a Board-approved four-credit course in New Jersey law and ethics.
Residency Requirements
New Jersey does not have a residency requirement to take the CPA Exam or obtain licensure.
For more than 60 years, Becker has been the leader accountants turn to for CPA prep.
For more than 60 years, Becker has been the leader accountants turn to for CPA prep.
For more than 60 years, Becker has been the leader accountants turn to for CPA prep.
Over 1 million candidates have prepared with Becker and 98% of customers say that Becker meets their CPA Exam preparation needs.
Over 1 million candidates have prepared with Becker and 98% of customers say that Becker meets their CPA Exam preparation needs.
Over 1 million candidates have prepared with Becker and 98% of customers say that Becker meets their CPA Exam preparation needs.
Since 2007, 90% of Watt Sells award winners prepared with Becker.
Since 2007, 90% of Watt Sells award winners prepared with Becker.
Since 2007, 90% of Watt Sells award winners prepared with Becker.
2,900+ accounting firms, corporations, alliances, government agencies and universities choose Becker.
2,900+ accounting firms, corporations, alliances, government agencies and universities choose Becker.
2,900+ accounting firms, corporations, alliances, government agencies and universities choose Becker.
New Jersey CPA License Renewals
New Jersey CPAs must renew their licenses every three years with the cycle running January 1 to December 31 triennially.
After the initial triennial period after receiving your CPA license, you must complete 120 hours of continued professional education in every triennial renewal period. Within the three-year period between renewing your license, all CPAs must complete:
- A minimum of 20 hours of CPE credits each year
- A four-hour course in New Jersey law and ethics
- A minimum of 24 credits in accounting and auditing (only applicable to those working in public accounting)
New Jersey CPA CPE requirements also state that you must take a minimum of 60 hours in technical subjects, including accounting, auditing, business law, information technology, economics, finance, management advisory services, taxation, mathematics, SEC practice or professional ethics. Any of the technical subjects may be in specialized areas, such as government, nonprofit organizations, construction, real estate, or farming.
After the initial triennial period after receiving your CPA license, you must complete 120 hours of continued professional education in every triennial renewal period. Within the three-year period between renewing your license, all CPAs must complete:
- A minimum of 20 hours of CPE credits each year
- A four-hour course in New Jersey law and ethics
- A minimum of 24 credits in accounting and auditing (only applicable to those working in public accounting)
New Jersey CPA CPE requirements also state that you must take a minimum of 60 hours in technical subjects, including accounting, auditing, business law, information technology, economics, finance, management advisory services, taxation, mathematics, SEC practice or professional ethics. Any of the technical subjects may be in specialized areas, such as government, nonprofit organizations, construction, real estate, or farming.
After the initial triennial period after receiving your CPA license, you must complete 120 hours of continued professional education in every triennial renewal period. Within the three-year period between renewing your license, all CPAs must complete:
- A minimum of 20 hours of CPE credits each year
- A four-hour course in New Jersey law and ethics
- A minimum of 24 credits in accounting and auditing (only applicable to those working in public accounting)
New Jersey CPA CPE requirements also state that you must take a minimum of 60 hours in technical subjects, including accounting, auditing, business law, information technology, economics, finance, management advisory services, taxation, mathematics, SEC practice or professional ethics. Any of the technical subjects may be in specialized areas, such as government, nonprofit organizations, construction, real estate, or farming.
