CPA License
Licensure may be required to practice as an accountant in the state that you choose to live. Requirements vary from state to state, with respect to requirements for education as well as beyond education. These may include (but are not limited to): additional post-graduation examinations or experience, application and licensing fees, criminal background checks, reference checks, fingerprint submissions, etc. Continuing education may also be required for maintenance of certification/licensure.
Further, we are seeing national progress towards changes in licensing requirements, including education requirements. These changes are in different stages of enactment by state jurisdictions. Refer to the links below for trackers maintained by the Minnesota Society of Certified Public Accountants.
Legislation Implementation Date Tracker by State
Things to Consider for CPA Licensure in Texas
While requirements vary by state, refer to the following document for the requirements in Texas, specifically noting corresponding Baylor information. It is the responsibility of each student to review their state board and be knowledgeable of all requirements.
To begin taking the CPA Exam prior to August 1, 2026, you must meet all of the following criteria:
- BBA must be completed
- Earned at least 21 upper-level accounting hours (Post August 1, 2026 this increases to 24 upper-level accounting hours)
- The Baylor BBA degree requires 18 hours
- Additional courses are available as electives to meet this requirement
- Note the following courses are not eligible as upper-level accounting hours by the Texas State Board of CPAs: Business & Professional Ethics for Accountants, Internship in Accounting, Accounting Excel, Impacting the Community through the Profession, and any CPA Exam review courses
Remaining Education Requirements for CPA Licensure prior to August 1, 2026:
- Completed board-approved ethics course
- Upper-level accounting hours total at least 27
- 150 total hours
Remaining Education Requirements for CPA Licensure after August 1, 2026:
- Completed board-approved ethics course
- Upper-level accounting hours total at least 27
- BBA Pathway
- 120 total hours, Baylor requires 124 total hours
- 150 Hour Pathway
- 150 total hours
- Upper-level accounting hours total at least 30
Check with your undergraduate or graduate academic advisor for additional guidance on meeting the academic requirements to be eligible for taking the CPA exam.
Learn how to become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) from NASBA, the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy, and discover where to find accurate information to help expedite the CPA licensing process at the following link.
Professional Licensure Disclosure
Baylor University discloses that the Accounting programs will fulfill state/territory educational requirements for professional licenses. See link below for additional information.
