CPA (Certified Public Accountant) in Kentucky
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for KY
How to Become a CPA (Certified Public Accountant) in Kentucky
To become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Kentucky, candidates must fulfill specific requirements set by the Kentucky State Board of Accountancy. This includes completing 150 semester hours of education, encompassing a bachelor's or master's degree with a concentration in accounting. Candidates must pass all four sections of the Uniform CPA Examination, and gain 2,000 hours of accounting or auditing experience. Kentucky offers reciprocity for CPAs licensed in other states with substantially equivalent requirements.
CPA (Certified Public Accountant) Requirements in Kentucky
| Detail | Kentucky |
|---|---|
| Licensing Body | Kentucky State Board of Accountancy |
| State License Required | Yes |
| Education | 150 semester hours, including a bachelor's or master's degree with a concentration in accounting (27 semester hours in accounting and 12 semester hours in business-related courses). |
| Experience Required | 2,000.0 hours |
| Exam | Uniform CPA Examination ($1,051) |
| Application Fee | $30 |
| Renewal | Every 2.0 years |
| Notes | Minimum age: 18 years old. U.S. citizenship or legal residency required. No ethics exam is required for licensure, but 2 hours of ethics CPE are required per renewal cycle. Must apply for license within 5 years of passing the last exam section. |
CPA (Certified Public Accountant) Salary in Kentucky
The median cpa salary in Kentucky is $72,220 per year, which is 11.6% below the national median of $81,680.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $47,880 |
| 25th | $59,320 |
| 50th (median) | $72,220 |
| 75th | $90,170 |
| 90th (experienced) | $114,800 |
Kentucky employs approximately 12,180 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 Kentucky Worth It?
With an estimated total investment of $1,200 and a median salary of $72,220 in Kentucky, the rough payback period is approximately 0 months.
Factors to consider: Kentucky's cost of living, the state licensing requirement, moderate job growth, elevated AI disruption risk, and your personal career goals.