CPA (Certified Public Accountant) in Washington
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for WA
How to Become a CPA (Certified Public Accountant) in Washington
To become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Washington, candidates must meet specific education, examination, and experience requirements set by the Washington State Board of Accountancy. This includes holding a bachelor's degree or higher with 150 semester hours, passing the Uniform CPA Examination, and completing 2,000 hours of relevant work experience. Additionally, candidates must pass an AICPA ethics exam with a score of 90% or better.
CPA (Certified Public Accountant) Requirements in Washington
| Detail | Washington |
|---|---|
| Licensing Body | Washington State Board of Accountancy |
| State License Required | Yes |
| Education | Bachelor's degree or higher with 150 semester hours, including 24 semester hours in accounting subjects (15 at upper-level or graduate level) and 24 semester hours in business administration subjects. |
| Experience Required | 2,000.0 hours |
| Exam | Uniform CPA Examination ($1,463) |
| Application Fee | $330 |
| Renewal | Every 3.0 years |
| Continuing Education | 120.0 hours per cycle |
| Notes | Minimum age: None. Requires passing an AICPA ethics exam with a score of 90% or better. Must complete at least 20 CPE hours annually. No carryover of CPE hours. Experience must be verified by an active CPA licensee who has held their license for at least 5 years. |
CPA (Certified Public Accountant) Salary in Washington
The median cpa salary in Washington is $96,180 per year, which is 17.8% above the national median of $81,680.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $64,440 |
| 25th | $78,040 |
| 50th (median) | $96,180 |
| 75th | $121,410 |
| 90th (experienced) | $143,210 |
Washington employs approximately 37,400 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 Washington Worth It?
With an estimated total investment of $1,430 and a median salary of $96,180 in Washington, the rough payback period is approximately 0 months.
Factors to consider: Washington's cost of living, the state licensing requirement, moderate job growth, elevated AI disruption risk, and your personal career goals.