VSCPA supports bills with new CPA licensure pathway
February 18, 2025
By Emily Walker, CAE
Do something.
CPAs have sounded the alarm for years: The pipeline of new talent joining the profession is getting smaller and smaller (the data backs it up — just read the latest AICPA Trends report). They want to see multiple paths to the CPA available to make the profession accessible for all students, including minorities and adults switching careers.
The VSCPA can now say: We’re trying! Legislation is alive and under consideration during the 2025 Virginia General Assembly session, which technically began Jan. 8, 2025, but had a slight delay due to Richmond’s water supply issues. Legislators have until Feb. 22 to discuss and pass the bills.
At our request, Del. Holly Seibold and Sen. Adam Ebbin have introduced HB 2042 and SB 1042. At press time, the House bill was referred to the Committee on General Laws, while the Senate version had passed unanimously in the Committee on General Laws and Technology.
To be clear, the 150-hour requirement is still a viable option for accountants to become CPAs. The legislation adds an additional option so that prospective CPAs would be required to:
- Hold a baccalaureate degree.
- Fulfill required accounting coursework.
- Pass the CPA Exam.
- Complete two years of relevant experience.
Currently, the 150-hour standard requires an additional 30 credit hours beyond the traditional 120 for a bachelor’s degree and one year of relevant experience.
And we’ve now got precedent around the country! In January, Gov. Mike DeWine signed legislation backed by the Ohio Society of CPAs to institute the same CPA pathway we propose.
In addition to the new pathway, our legislation includes provisions to ensure CPAs outside Virginia can continue to practice in the Commonwealth without hindrance. This is part of a larger national movement to enhance practice mobility for CPAs. In a remote world, we want you to be able to practice in other states with your Virginia license. Our neighboring jurisdictions of Maryland and Washington, D.C., are taking steps in 2025 to ensure continued practice mobility, and North Carolina already allows CPAs to practice under mobility as long as their licenses are in good standing and they’ve passed the CPA Exam.
Stay tuned to your email for up-to-date information on where these bills stand. We’ll include links to our VoterVoice campaigns so you quickly and easily urge your legislators to take action.
Questions or concerns about our advocacy efforts? Reach out to me anytime at [email protected].