CPA (Certified Public Accountant) in Delaware
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for DE
How to Become a CPA (Certified Public Accountant) in Delaware
To become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Delaware, candidates must meet the requirements set by the Delaware Board of Accountancy. This typically involves holding a bachelor's degree with 150 semester hours, including specific accounting coursework, and passing the Uniform CPA Examination. Additionally, applicants need to complete 2000 hours of supervised accounting experience and pass the AICPA Ethics Examination with a score of 90% or higher. Delaware offers reciprocity for CPAs licensed in substantially equivalent jurisdictions, and licenses must be renewed every two years with 80 hours of continuing professional education.
CPA (Certified Public Accountant) Requirements in Delaware
| Detail | Delaware |
|---|---|
| Licensing Body | Delaware Board of Accountancy |
| State License Required | Yes |
| Education | Bachelor's degree with 150 semester hours, including 24 semester hours in accounting (financial accounting, auditing, and taxation). A new pathway adopted in July 2025 allows for 120 semester credits for exam eligibility, but 150 are still required for licensure. An AICPA ethics exam with a score of 90% or higher is also required. |
| Experience Required | 2,000.0 hours |
| Exam | Uniform CPA Examination ($1,423) |
| Application Fee | $187 |
| Renewal | Every 2.0 years |
| Continuing Education | 80.0 hours per cycle |
| Notes | Minimum age: No. Experience must be supervised by a licensed U.S. CPA and can be gained in public practice, government, industry, or academia. At least 20 CPE hours must be completed each year, with specific requirements for accounting/auditing, taxation, and Delaware-specific ethics. |
Source: Delaware Board of Accountancy
CPA (Certified Public Accountant) Salary in Delaware
The median cpa salary in Delaware is $84,560 per year, which is 3.5% above the national median of $81,680.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $56,500 |
| 25th | $68,530 |
| 50th (median) | $84,560 |
| 75th | $110,290 |
| 90th (experienced) | $133,550 |
Delaware employs approximately 6,120 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 Delaware Worth It?
With an estimated total investment of $1,281 and a median salary of $84,560 in Delaware, the rough payback period is approximately 0 months.
Factors to consider: Delaware's cost of living, the state licensing requirement, moderate job growth, elevated AI disruption risk, and your personal career goals.