Contact for How to apply for an initial/reciprocal accountancy license
Board of Public Accountancy
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The Details of How to apply for an initial/reciprocal accountancy license
What you need for How to apply for an initial/reciprocal accountancy license
Effective June 1, 2019, all applicants are required to submit an application online through the Division of Professional Licensure’s ePLACE Portal. Please see the CPA Application Checklist for further information. Please also read the instructions below before proceeding to ePlace.
The Board of Public Accountancy exclusively issues a full reporting license to individuals seeking to practice public accountancy in Massachusetts.
As of May 19, 2017, Massachusetts is no longer a two-tiered state and the non-reporting license is no longer offered.
Applicants seeking initial licensure, and reciprocal applicants licensed and practicing for less than 4 years, please review the information below for a summary of the requirements for a license.
If you have been licensed for more than 4 years, please submit a reciprocal license application following the criteria for reciprocal license applicants.
Summary of Requirements for licensure:
- Complete 150 semester hours from a nationally or regionally accredited institution (252 CMR 2.07)
- Applicants must pass all 4 sections of the Uniform CPA Examination within a rolling 18 month window (252 CMR 2.06)
- Full- or part-time experience in public accounting that extends over a period of no less than a year no more than 3 years, and includes no fewer than 2,000 hours of service
- Or 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
- Three character reference letters dated and addressed to the board
- CORI Permission form
Fees for How to apply for an initial/reciprocal accountancy license
Initial license fee - $175
Reciprocal license - $499
How to apply How to apply for an initial/reciprocal accountancy license
After reading the requirements above, please complete the licensing process in the ePlace licensing portal.
More info for How to apply for an initial/reciprocal accountancy license
Requirements for a Public Accountancy License.
Questions about the requirements for licensure or the application process in general, may be directed to the Board office by calling 617-727-1806 or by e-mail accountingboard@mass.gov
For technical assistance with the ePLACE portal, please call the ePLACE Help Desk Team at (844) 733-7522 or (844) 73-ePLAC or e-mail ePLACE_helpdesk@state.ma.us.