CPA (Certified Public Accountant) in Connecticut
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for CT
How to Become a CPA (Certified Public Accountant) in Connecticut
To become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Connecticut, candidates must meet specific education, examination, and experience requirements set by the Connecticut State Board of Accountancy. This includes a bachelor's degree with 150 semester hours (though 120 are sufficient to sit for the exam), passing the Uniform CPA Examination, and completing 2000 hours of relevant work experience. Additionally, candidates must pass the AICPA Professional Ethics Comprehensive Course with a score of 90% or higher. Connecticut is a two-tier state, requiring both a CPA certificate and a license to practice, and offers reciprocity for substantially equivalent out-of-state licenses.
CPA (Certified Public Accountant) Requirements in Connecticut
| Detail | Connecticut |
|---|---|
| Licensing Body | Connecticut State Board of Accountancy |
| State License Required | Yes |
| Education | Bachelor's degree with 150 semester hours |
| Experience Required | 2,000.0 hours |
| Exam | Uniform CPA Examination ($1,423) |
| Application Fee | $300 |
| Renewal | Every 1.0 year |
| Continuing Education | 40.0 hours per cycle |
| Notes | Connecticut is a two-tier state, meaning candidates first obtain a CPA certificate and then a license to practice. An ethics exam (AICPA Professional Ethics Comprehensive Course 'For Licensure' with a minimum score of 90%) is required. Effective October 1, 2025, Connecticut adopted three flexible pathways to CPA licensure: 1) Post-baccalaureate degree, CPA Exam, and one year of general experience; 2) Bachelor's degree plus 30 credit hours, CPA Exam, and one year of general experience; or 3) Bachelor's degree, CPA Exam, and two years of general experience. The 120-credit hour requirement to sit for the CPA Exam remains unchanged. All CPA registrations and licenses expire annually on December 31st. |
CPA (Certified Public Accountant) Salary in Connecticut
The median cpa salary in Connecticut is $89,630 per year, which is 9.7% above the national median of $81,680.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $61,390 |
| 25th | $75,620 |
| 50th (median) | $89,630 |
| 75th | $108,590 |
| 90th (experienced) | $135,090 |
Connecticut employs approximately 16,590 cpas.
CPA (Certified Public Accountant) Job Outlook
AI Impact on CPAs
High AI Exposure (Score: 1.48/1.00)
Many tasks in this career are susceptible to AI automation. Long-term career planning should account for potential disruption.
Is Becoming a CPA in Connecticut Worth It?
With an estimated total investment of $1,250 and a median salary of $89,630 in Connecticut, the rough payback period is approximately 0 months.
Factors to consider: Connecticut's cost of living, the state licensing requirement, moderate job growth, elevated AI disruption risk, and your personal career goals.