CPA (Certified Public Accountant) in Virginia
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for VA
How to Become a CPA (Certified Public Accountant) in Virginia
To become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Virginia, candidates must meet specific requirements set by the Virginia Board of Accountancy (VBOA). Key steps include obtaining a bachelor's degree with 120 semester hours to sit for the Uniform CPA Examination, and 150 semester hours for licensure, or qualifying through new pathways effective January 1, 2026, which include a bachelor's degree with two years of experience or a master's degree with one year of experience. Candidates must pass all four sections of the Uniform CPA Examination within a 30-month rolling period, complete 2,080 hours of accounting experience verified by a licensed CPA, and pass the AICPA Professional Ethics: Comprehensive Course with a score of 90% or higher. Virginia also offers reciprocity for CPAs licensed in other U.S. jurisdictions and members of certain international professional bodies.
CPA (Certified Public Accountant) Requirements in Virginia
| Detail | Virginia |
|---|---|
| Licensing Body | Virginia Board of Accountancy (VBOA) |
| State License Required | Yes |
| Education | Bachelor's degree with 120 semester hours to sit for the exam; 150 semester hours for licensure. As of January 1, 2026, new pathways to licensure include a bachelor's degree with two years of experience, or a master's degree with one year of experience. |
| Experience Required | 2,080.0 hours |
| Exam | Uniform CPA Examination ($1,182) |
| Application Fee | $120 |
| Renewal | Every 1.0 year |
| Continuing Education | 120.0 hours per cycle |
| Notes | Requires passing the AICPA Professional Ethics: Comprehensive Course (for Licensure) with a score of 90% or higher. An annual VBOA-approved ethics course (2 hours) is also required for renewal. Minimum age is not specified. Applicants must provide a U.S. Social Security number or control number issued by the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles. |
CPA (Certified Public Accountant) Salary in Virginia
The median cpa salary in Virginia is $84,190 per year, which is 3.1% above the national median of $81,680.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $57,150 |
| 25th | $66,560 |
| 50th (median) | $84,190 |
| 75th | $109,670 |
| 90th (experienced) | $145,750 |
Virginia employs approximately 50,220 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 Virginia Worth It?
With an estimated total investment of $1,175 and a median salary of $84,190 in Virginia, the rough payback period is approximately 0 months.
Factors to consider: Virginia's cost of living, the state licensing requirement, moderate job growth, elevated AI disruption risk, and your personal career goals.