Wisconsin (WI) CPA Exam requirements state that you must be declared eligible for the CPA Exam and then licensed by the state. A candidate becomes eligible for the CPA Exam by meeting specific requirements that are determined by the board of accountancy for their specific jurisdiction. Below are the Wisconsin CPA Exam requirements:

Wisconsin CPA Education Requirements

  • All CPA Exam candidates in Wisconsin must have a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited college or university. CPA Exam requirements in Wisconsin also mandate candidates to complete 150 semester hours in specific course subjects, including:
  • 24 hours in accounting beyond the introductory level covering:
    • Financial accounting
    • Cost or managerial accounting
    • Taxation
    • Auditing
    • Accounting information system
  • 24 hours in business and economics courses other than accounting

Wisconsin CPA CPE Requirements

CPAs in Wisconsin are required to fulfill Continuing Professional Education (CPE) hours within the two calendar years before their license renewal. The Wisconsin Board of Accountancy mandates a minimum of 80 CPE credits during this biennial period. Specific requirements include:

  • At least 20 CPE credits completed in each 12-month segment of the two-year compliance period.
  • Three CPE hours dedicated to ethics.
  • The CPE requirements are halved for the first compliance period following initial licensure in the first year, and they do not apply in the second year of that same compliance period.
  • A maximum of 40 carryover hours per year is permitted.

Wisconsin CPA Exam Age Requirements

Age Minimum: 18

Wisconsin CPA Exam Residency Requirements

  • U.S. Citizenship Required: No
  • Must be a resident, employee OR have office in the state? Yes

Wisconsin CPA License Renewals

Wisconsin CPAs must renew their license every two years. The cycle occurs January 1 – December 31 biennially.

CPA License Renewal Fee: $43

Wisconsin CPA License Requirements

experience requirement

One year of public accounting experience or its equivalent as determined by the board. Experience may consist of providing any type of services or advice using accounting, attestation, compilation, management advisory, financial advisory, tax, or related consulting skills.

Ethics exam

Must successfully pass an open book professional ethics examination on statutes and rules governing the practice of public accounting in Wisconsin. The passing grade on the professional ethics examination is 80.

Wisconsin CPA Exam & Licensing Fees

Education Evaluation Application Fee$90.00
Auditing and Attestation (AUD)$397.80
Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR)$397.80
Regulation (REG)$397.80
Disciplines (ISC, TCP, or BAR)$397.80
Total for all 4 CPA Exam Sections$1,591.20
1 examinations section$361.15
Ethics Exam Fee$75.00
Renewal Fee$43.00
Late Fee$25.00

Synopsis of Wisconsin CPA Requirements

Credit hours to sit for the CPA exam120
Bachelor’s required to sit for the CPA examYes
Credit hours in accounting subjects to sit for the CPA exam24
Total credit hours to receive a CPA license150
Credit hours in business subjects for the CPA license24
Work experience required to receive a CPA license1 Year
Ethics exam required to get a CPA licenseYes

For more information, visit:

DSPS Accounting Examining Board

DSPS Certified Public Accountant