CPA (Certified Public Accountant) in Louisiana
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for LA
How to Become a CPA (Certified Public Accountant) in Louisiana
To become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Louisiana, candidates must meet the requirements set by the State Board of Certified Public Accountants of Louisiana. This involves completing 150 semester hours of education with a bachelor's degree, passing all four sections of the Uniform CPA Examination, and gaining 2,000 hours of qualifying accounting experience verified by a licensed CPA. An application fee of $100 is required for initial licensure, and CPAs must renew their license annually, completing 80 hours of continuing education every two years.
CPA (Certified Public Accountant) Requirements in Louisiana
| Detail | Louisiana |
|---|---|
| Licensing Body | State Board of Certified Public Accountants of Louisiana |
| 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 | $100 |
| Renewal | Every 1.0 year |
| Continuing Education | 40.0 hours per cycle |
| Notes | Minimum age of 18. Requires 80 CPE hours over a rolling two-year period, with a minimum of 20 hours annually. If participating in attest engagements, 8 hours of CPE in Accounting & Auditing are required annually. A 3-hour Board-approved ethics course is required every even year. Must be of good moral character and execute an oath. Louisiana residency for 120 days within one year preceding the application date to take the examination is required for exam candidates. Must have a Social Security number. |
Source: State Board of Certified Public Accountants of Louisiana
CPA (Certified Public Accountant) Salary in Louisiana
The median cpa salary in Louisiana is $69,540 per year, which is 14.9% below the national median of $81,680.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $46,950 |
| 25th | $57,680 |
| 50th (median) | $69,540 |
| 75th | $89,730 |
| 90th (experienced) | $117,190 |
Louisiana employs approximately 13,560 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 Louisiana Worth It?
With an estimated total investment of $1,200 and a median salary of $69,540 in Louisiana, the rough payback period is approximately 0 months.
Factors to consider: Louisiana's cost of living, the state licensing requirement, moderate job growth, elevated AI disruption risk, and your personal career goals.