CPA (Certified Public Accountant) in District of Columbia
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for DC
How to Become a CPA (Certified Public Accountant) in District of Columbia
To become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in the District of Columbia, candidates must meet the requirements set by the District of Columbia Board of Accountancy. This typically involves obtaining a bachelor's degree with 150 semester hours of education, passing the Uniform CPA Examination, and completing 2,000 hours of relevant work experience. The District of Columbia also offers reciprocity for CPAs licensed in other substantially equivalent jurisdictions or those with international designations under a Mutual Recognition Agreement. A minimum age of 18 and a Social Security Number are required, but there are no U.S. citizenship or residency requirements.
CPA (Certified Public Accountant) Requirements in District of Columbia
| Detail | District of Columbia |
|---|---|
| Licensing Body | District of Columbia Board of Accountancy |
| State License Required | Yes |
| Education | Bachelor's degree with 150 semester hours |
| Experience Required | 2,000.0 hours |
| Exam | Uniform CPA Examination ($1,243) |
| Application Fee | $96 |
| Renewal | Every 2.0 years |
| Continuing Education | 80.0 hours per cycle |
| Notes | Minimum age is 18 years old. Social Security Number is required. No US citizenship or residency requirements. 4 hours of professional ethics CPE are required per renewal cycle. There is no ethics exam for licensure. DC allows candidates to sit for the CPA exam with 120 semester hours, but 150 hours are required for licensure. As of December 12, 2025, the DC Board of Accountancy recognizes an alternative pathway for reciprocity applicants with a bachelor's degree, two years of experience, and a valid license from a jurisdiction that has adopted the alternative pathway. |
CPA (Certified Public Accountant) Salary in District of Columbia
The median cpa salary in District of Columbia is $103,030 per year, which is 26.1% above the national median of $81,680.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $65,540 |
| 25th | $79,420 |
| 50th (median) | $103,030 |
| 75th | $141,540 |
| 90th (experienced) | $180,890 |
District of Columbia employs approximately 9,600 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 District of Columbia Worth It?
With an estimated total investment of $1,275 and a median salary of $103,030 in District of Columbia, the rough payback period is approximately 0 months.
Factors to consider: District of Columbia's cost of living, the state licensing requirement, moderate job growth, elevated AI disruption risk, and your personal career goals.