Massachusetts CPA requirements

Wondering how to become a CPA in Massachusetts? The first thing you'll want to do on the road to becoming a CPA is to check the requirements to become a CPA in Massachusetts, as the Massachusetts Board of Accountancy will ultimately license you.

Massachusetts CPA Graphic
Massachusetts CPA Exam requirements

Getting a CPA in each state mandates different requirements for taking the CPA Exam and becoming a licensed CPA. In order to be eligible to become a Massachusetts CPA, candidates are required to meet certain Massachusetts CPA requirements.

Getting a CPA in each state mandates different requirements for taking the CPA Exam and becoming a licensed CPA. In order to be eligible to become a Massachusetts CPA, candidates are required to meet certain Massachusetts CPA requirements.

Getting a CPA in each state mandates different requirements for taking the CPA Exam and becoming a licensed CPA. In order to be eligible to become a Massachusetts CPA, candidates are required to meet certain Massachusetts CPA requirements.

Massachusetts CPA Exam requirements

Minimum education requirements

Before taking the CPA Exam in Massachusetts, you must meet a set of education requirements. First, you must have a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited college or university. You must also have completed 150 semester (225 quarter) hours in various course subjects, including:

  • 30 semester (45 quarter) hours of accounting courses covering:
    • Financial auditing
    • Auditing,
    • Taxation
    • Management/cost accounting
  • 24 semester (36 quarter) hours of business courses covering:
    • Business law
    • Finance
    • Information systems
  • Online courses, AP and pass/fail grades are acceptable when you receive credit for the courses at a regionally accredited college or university; courses must appear on an official transcript.
  • CLEP credit will qualify toward the 150 semester hour rule when reflected on the transcript of a regionally accredited college or university.
  • Correspondence courses and/or commercial review courses are not acceptable.
  • CPA Review courses are acceptable if credits are awarded by a regionally accredited college or university.
  • Internships in accounting subjects are accepted to meet accounting course electives. They cannot be accepted toward specific subject requirements

 

Massachusetts CPA license requirements

In order to be eligible to apply for CPA licensure in the state of Massachusetts, applicants must meet the following requirements:

  • Pass all four sections of the CPA Examination
  • Three character reference letters addressed to the Massachusetts Board of Accountancy
  • Full- or part-time experience in public accounting that extends over a period of no less than a year and no more than three years, and includes no fewer than 2,000 hours of service
  • Full- or part-time experience in non-public accounting that extends over a period of no less than three years and no more than nine years and includes no fewer than 2,000 hours of experience.

 

Sources:

Try Before you buy

Not sure if the Becker CPA review course is right for you? Check out our 14-day demo

‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎ㅤ

Why Becker?
shield and stars
Best in the business

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.

a plus
Trusted partner

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.

ribbon
Award winners’ choice

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.

picture of a handshake
CPA Exam experts

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.

Massachusetts CPA license renewals

Massachusetts CPAs must have their license renewed biennially. Licenses shall be initially issued and renewed for periods of two years. Each such license shall expire on the last day of June of the next year following the year of issuance of renewal.

Massachusetts CPE requirements

Massachusetts CPA CPE requirements mandate 80 hours each biennial period.

Massachusetts CPA CPE requirements mandate 80 hours each biennial period.

Massachusetts CPA CPE requirements mandate 80 hours each biennial period.

mass cpe requirements
  • CPE hours must include:
  • Four hours must be in ethics
  • No carryover of hours from one reporting year to the next.

Qualifying courses:

  • Professional development programs of national and state accounting organizations
  • Technical sessions at meetings of national and state accounting organizations and their chapters
  • CPE hours must include:
  • Four hours must be in ethics
  • No carryover of hours from one reporting year to the next.

Qualifying courses:

  • Professional development programs of national and state accounting organizations
  • Technical sessions at meetings of national and state accounting organizations and their chapters
  • CPE hours must include:
  • Four hours must be in ethics
  • No carryover of hours from one reporting year to the next.

Qualifying courses:

  • Professional development programs of national and state accounting organizations
  • Technical sessions at meetings of national and state accounting organizations and their chapters

University or college courses:

  • Credit courses - each semester hour credit shall equal 15 hours toward the requirement
  • Non-credit courses - each classroom hour will equal one qualifying hour
  • Programs in other organizations (accounting, industrial, professional, etc.)
  • Other organized educational programs on technical and other practice subjects

University or college courses:

  • Credit courses - each semester hour credit shall equal 15 hours toward the requirement
  • Non-credit courses - each classroom hour will equal one qualifying hour
  • Programs in other organizations (accounting, industrial, professional, etc.)
  • Other organized educational programs on technical and other practice subjects

University or college courses:

  • Credit courses - each semester hour credit shall equal 15 hours toward the requirement
  • Non-credit courses - each classroom hour will equal one qualifying hour
  • Programs in other organizations (accounting, industrial, professional, etc.)
  • Other organized educational programs on technical and other practice subjects

Credit may be awarded for published articles and books. The amount of credit so awarded will be determined by the continuing education committee and shall not exceed a maximum of 25% of the renewal period requirement.

Stay connected

Sign up today to learn more about new courses and saving opportunities.

Sign up today to learn more about new courses and saving opportunities.

Sign up today to learn more about new courses and saving opportunities.

Sign up

Sign up

Sign up

Now Leaving Becker.com

You are leaving the Becker.com website. Once you click “continue,” you will be brought to a third-party website. Please be aware, the privacy policy may differ on the third-party website. Adtalem Global Education is not responsible for the security, contents and accuracy of any information provided on the third-party website. Note that the website may still be a third-party website even the format is similar to the Becker.com website.

Continue