Connecticut Opens New Routes to Becoming a CPA — and Signals a National Shift

For the first time in 25 years, Connecticut has rewritten the rules for earning a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license — and the move could reshape how accountants nationwide enter the profession.

Signed into law earlier this year, House Bill 7020 gives aspiring CPAs three distinct routes to licensure. It’s part of a growing movement among states to expand access to the profession, tackle a persistent accounting talent shortage, and rethink the decades-old “150-hour rule” that many believe has become an unnecessary barrier.

Let’s break down what Connecticut changed, why it matters, and where the rest of the country might be headed.

The Old Rule — and Why It’s Changing

For decades, most U.S. states have followed the same CPA formula:150 credit hours of education (typically a bachelor’s degree plus an extra year of coursework) plus one year of professional experience.

That standard was designed to strengthen the credential — ensuring that new CPAs entered the profession with deeper accounting and business knowledge. But over time, critics began to argue that it was doing the opposite: discouraging entry, especially for students already facing rising tuition costs and stagnant starting salaries.

In Connecticut, that concern became impossible to ignore. Employers, universities, and the Connecticut Society of CPAs (CTCPA) all pointed to the same issue — a shrinking pipeline of new professionals and mounting hiring challenges for firms and finance departments alike.

The new law, which takes effect October 1, 2025, aims to reverse that trend.

Three New Pathways to the CPA License

Instead of a one-size-fits-all education requirement, Connecticut’s new law creates three ways to qualify for CPA licensure:

1. The traditional route:

   • 150 semester hours (bachelor’s + 30 extra hours)

   • CPA exam

   • One year of professional experience

2. The graduate route:

   • Master’s degree (or equivalent)

   • CPA exam

   • One year of professional experience

3. The experience route:

   • Bachelor’s degree (120 hours)

   • CPA exam

   • Two years of professional experience

     
     

This final option — allowing more work experience in place of additional coursework — is the key change. It recognizes that professional experience can offer real-world learning equivalent to an extra year in the classroom.

The law also updates “mobility” provisions, making it easier for CPAs licensed in other states to practice in Connecticut without needing a separate Connecticut certificate. That move aligns Connecticut with broader interstate standards and helps attract more accounting professionals to the state.

Why Connecticut Made the Change

The reasoning behind the reform is both practical and strategic. Lawmakers and industry leaders agree: the accounting pipeline problem is real.

1. Addressing the Talent Shortage

Connecticut employers have faced growing challenges in hiring qualified accountants and auditors. Nationally, the AICPA has reported a steep decline in the number of accounting graduates and new CPA exam candidates over the past decade. By creating multiple pathways, Connecticut hopes to make the credential more accessible — and get more candidates into the pipeline sooner.

2. Reducing Financial Barriers

That extra 30 credit hours can cost tens of thousands of dollars and delay full-time employment by a year. The new law gives candidates a choice: invest in graduate education or gain experience in the field. Either way, the pathway no longer depends on the ability to afford another year of school.

3. Promoting Equity and Inclusion

The traditional 150-hour rule has been shown to disproportionately impact lower-income and underrepresented students. Offering alternative routes opens doors for more diverse candidates — something many firms have said is essential to the future of the profession.

4. Staying Competitive

Neighboring states — and even major accounting firms — have been exploring similar reforms. By moving early, Connecticut positions itself as a leader in modernizing CPA licensure and attracting new talent.

A National Trend: Rethinking the 150-Hour Rule

Connecticut isn’t acting in isolation. Across the country, more states are questioning whether the 150-hour model still makes sense.

• Ohio and Virginia have already passed similar laws offering experience-based routes.

• Iowa, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Georgia, and Indiana are actively considering bills that would provide alternatives to the traditional requirement.

• At the national level, the AICPA and NASBA have jointly updated the Uniform Accountancy Act to include a third pathway model — a bachelor’s degree plus two years of experience.

  
  

The logic is consistent: maintain the CPA exam and professional experience standards while giving states more flexibility to balance educational and practical requirements.

If the trend continues, half of U.S. jurisdictions could adopt new CPA pathways within the next few years — a remarkable shift for a profession known for its consistency.

Supporters and Skeptics

Supporters argue that Connecticut’s reform strikes the right balance — protecting the integrity of the CPA while removing unnecessary roadblocks. The Connecticut Society of CPAs, which championed the bill, emphasized that the law “preserves high standards while acknowledging that experience can be just as valuable as additional classroom time.”

Critics, however, worry that loosening educational requirements could dilute the credential. They argue that 150 hours ensures candidates are exposed to advanced topics — like auditing, tax research, and business ethics — that aren’t always covered in undergraduate programs.

But proponents counter that professional experience, especially under supervision, develops many of those same skills in practice. As one industry observer put it, “It’s not about lowering standards — it’s about redefining what counts as learning.”

What This Means for the Profession

Connecticut’s new law marks an important moment in the ongoing evolution of the accounting field. The CPA license remains the gold standard of trust and competence in finance — but how professionals earn it is changing.

For students and career changers, the law offers flexibility and choice. For firms and businesses, it may expand the pool of qualified candidates at a time when competition for accounting talent is fierce.

And for the profession at large, it reflects a growing willingness to adapt — to meet workforce needs without sacrificing quality.

The Bottom Line

Connecticut’s new CPA pathways reflect a pragmatic response to a real challenge. They acknowledge that professional experience, academic rigor, and accessibility can coexist — and that the future of the CPA depends on keeping the door open to more qualified people.

As more states watch how this reform unfolds, one thing is clear: the conversation around what it takes to become a CPA is changing fast. Connecticut may have just set the standard for what comes next.

Looking for a new accountant? Call Turner Business Solutions at (316) 285-0125 or schedule a consultation online.