CPA (Certified Public Accountant) in Utah
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for UT
How to Become a CPA (Certified Public Accountant) in Utah
To become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Utah, candidates must meet specific education, examination, and experience requirements. The licensing body is the Utah Board of Accountancy, under the Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL). Aspiring CPAs need 150 semester hours of education, including a bachelor's degree, pass all four sections of the Uniform CPA Examination, and complete 2,000 hours of supervised accounting experience. Additionally, candidates must pass both the AICPA Professional Ethics Exam and the Utah Laws and Rules Exam, and be at least 18 years old. Utah also offers reciprocity for CPAs licensed in other U.S. states or territories.
CPA (Certified Public Accountant) Requirements in Utah
| Detail | Utah |
|---|---|
| Licensing Body | Utah Board of Accountancy |
| State License Required | Yes |
| Education | 150 semester hours, including a bachelor's degree with a concentration in accounting and business. (Note: Starting July 1, 2026, a bachelor's degree alone will satisfy the educational requirements for CPA licensure.) |
| Experience Required | 2,000.0 hours |
| Exam | Uniform CPA Examination ($1,423) |
| Application Fee | $85 |
| Renewal | Every 2.0 years |
| Continuing Education | 80.0 hours per cycle |
| Notes | Minimum age: 18 years old. Requires passing the AICPA Professional Ethics Exam (score of 90% or higher) and the Utah Laws and Rules Exam (score of 75% or higher). No U.S. citizenship or residency requirement. Must be of good moral character. Starting July 1, 2026, the 150-credit hour requirement will be removed, and a bachelor's degree with two years of experience will qualify for licensure. |
Source: Utah Board of Accountancy
CPA (Certified Public Accountant) Salary in Utah
The median cpa salary in Utah is $75,100 per year, which is 8.1% below the national median of $81,680.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $43,780 |
| 25th | $58,430 |
| 50th (median) | $75,100 |
| 75th | $98,270 |
| 90th (experienced) | $129,890 |
Utah employs approximately 16,540 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 Utah Worth It?
With an estimated total investment of $1,185 and a median salary of $75,100 in Utah, the rough payback period is approximately 0 months.
Factors to consider: Utah's cost of living, the state licensing requirement, moderate job growth, elevated AI disruption risk, and your personal career goals.