CPA (Certified Public Accountant) in Texas
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for TX
How to Become a CPA (Certified Public Accountant) in Texas
To become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Texas, candidates must meet specific education, examination, and experience requirements set by the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy (TSBPA). This typically involves holding a bachelor's degree with 150 semester hours (though a new pathway for 120 hours with more experience takes effect August 1, 2026), passing the Uniform CPA Examination, and completing 2000 hours of non-routine accounting work experience. Additionally, applicants must pass a state-specific ethics exam and a background check. Texas offers a reciprocal pathway for out-of-state CPAs to transfer their license.
CPA (Certified Public Accountant) Requirements in Texas
| Detail | Texas |
|---|---|
| Licensing Body | Texas State Board of Public Accountancy |
| State License Required | Yes |
| Education | Bachelor's degree with 150 semester hours (or 120 semester hours with 2 years of experience, effective August 1, 2026). Requires specific upper-level accounting and business courses, and a 3-semester-hour Board-approved ethics course. |
| Experience Required | 2,000.0 hours |
| Exam | Uniform CPA Examination ($1,051) |
| Application Fee | $50 |
| Renewal | Every 1.0 year |
| Continuing Education | 120.0 hours per cycle |
| Notes | Requires passing a state-specific ethics exam (Texas Rules of Professional Conduct Exam) with a score of 85% or higher, a background check, and an Oath of Office. No minimum age, U.S. citizenship, or Texas residency required. A Social Security number is mandatory. |
CPA (Certified Public Accountant) Salary in Texas
The median cpa salary in Texas is $80,000 per year, which is 2.1% below the national median of $81,680.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $51,810 |
| 25th | $63,540 |
| 50th (median) | $80,000 |
| 75th | $102,120 |
| 90th (experienced) | $132,550 |
Texas employs approximately 109,530 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 Texas Worth It?
With an estimated total investment of $1,150 and a median salary of $80,000 in Texas, the rough payback period is approximately 0 months.
Factors to consider: Texas's cost of living, the state licensing requirement, moderate job growth, elevated AI disruption risk, and your personal career goals.