Alabama CPA Requirements (2026): Exam and License
Alabama exam entry, license pathways, coursework, and fees, with researched changes for your 2027 plan.
Checkpoint 1
Can I take the exam?
120 credits
Alabama exam entry and certification use different course counts. The current exam route uses 120 semester credits, including 24 upper-level accounting and 24 business credits.
Check exam entryCheckpoint 2
Can I obtain the license?
The current license route requires 150 credits, including 33 accounting and 27 business credits. Experience depends on the kind of work.
Degree, concentration, qualifying experience, and any additional application conditions must be checked together.
Review license choicesPermission to sit
Alabama CPA Exam eligibility
Alabama exam entry and certification use different course counts. The current exam route uses 120 semester credits, including 24 upper-level accounting and 24 business credits.
- Check the accounting subject distribution against the current board rules before submitting transcripts.
- The October proposal is not proof that a different exam concentration is already available.
Map your transcript
Alabama accounting and business coursework
Read each row as a separate checkpoint. Course level, required subjects, degree status, and exceptions can matter as much as the total. The board or designated evaluator determines which courses qualify.
| Checkpoint | Accounting | Business / related subjects | Degree and other conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exam entry | 24 upper-level credits | 24 credits | 120 total semester credits |
| Current license | 33 credits | 27 credits | 150 total semester credits |
Collect the evidence
Degree award, official transcript, course descriptions, and any required evaluation.
Map accepted subjects
Separate accounting, business, ethics, and other required subjects without assuming overlap.
Resolve the exact gap
Ask about the disputed course or condition before paying for another class or application.
Education plus experience
Alabama CPA license pathways
The current license route requires 150 credits, including 33 accounting and 27 business credits. Experience depends on the kind of work.
| Route / availability | Education | Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Current education route | 150 credits; 33 accounting and 27 business | 1 year in public accounting or 2 years of qualifying non-public work |
- One year of qualifying public-accounting experience and two years of qualifying non-public experience are distinct options.
- The proposed bachelor-only route should not be used as an eligibility promise before final adoption is confirmed.
Dates that affect your decision
Planning for Alabama CPA requirements in 2027
For 2027 study planning, keep the current route as the dated reference and check whether the October proposal has actually become effective.
October 15, 2026
ProposedAdditional education and experience combinations
The board document is labeled proposed. It describes bachelor/two-year, bachelor-plus-30/one-year, and bachelor-plus-master/one-year options. Confirm final adoption and concentration rules before relying on it.
Worked planning example
120 credits now, licensing later
Illustrative candidate scenario, not an eligibility determination.
Starting point
You have 120 credits and the exam accounting/business concentration, but have not finished 150 credits.
What the rules mean
Evaluate the current exam gate separately from the additional licensing education. A possible October route does not change the current certification answer.
Next action
Ask the board about any disputed transcript subjects, then decide which section to prepare for while your licensing route is confirmed.
From education to an appointment
How to apply and prepare in Alabama
- 1
Confirm the application owner
Use the official exam instructions linked above to identify the board or designated exam service. Exam and license applications may go to different owners.
- 2
Prepare the education record
Arrange official transcripts and any required evaluation, degree evidence, course descriptions, identity, and state-specific records. Resolve the exact eligibility question before paying.
- 3
Apply for a section you can prepare for
After the responsible authority confirms eligibility, follow its section application and payment instructions. Keep the actual application and examination charges separate.
- 4
Use the Notice to Schedule
Check the authorized section, name, and expiration on the NTS. Book the testing appointment through the official scheduling process within that authorization.
- 5
Complete the exam and license file
Pass AUD, FAR, REG, and one Discipline, then complete the selected license route’s education, experience, ethics, and documentation requirements. Track each official deadline separately.
This sequence organizes your planning. The state-specific facts and exceptions in the sections above take priority; the official application instructions establish the required filing order.
Budget separate charges
Alabama CPA exam and application fees
These are individually sourced charges, not a complete licensing budget or an official 2027 fee schedule. Evaluation, section applications, testing, ethics, background checks, international testing, rescheduling, and licensing can be separate costs.
| Charge | Published amount | What it covers | Official source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Initial / transfer application | $120 | Board application charge, separate from examination sections. | Verify this charge |
| Re-examination application | $75 | Applies to the re-examination application, not every initial candidate. | Verify this charge |
| Each exam section | $268.59 | Per section; additional application charges apply. | Verify this charge |
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the Alabama CPA Exam requirements in 2026?
- Alabama exam entry and certification use different course counts. The current exam route uses 120 semester credits, including 24 upper-level accounting and 24 business credits. Check the accounting subject distribution against the current board rules before submitting transcripts. The October proposal is not proof that a different exam concentration is already available.
- Does Alabama require 150 hours for CPA licensure in 2026?
- The current license route requires 150 credits, including 33 accounting and 27 business credits. Experience depends on the kind of work. Current education route: 150 credits; 33 accounting and 27 business; 1 year in public accounting or 2 years of qualifying non-public work.
- How should I plan for Alabama CPA requirements in 2027?
- For 2027 study planning, keep the current route as the dated reference and check whether the October proposal has actually become effective.
- Are Alabama exam eligibility and licensing the same?
- They are separate checkpoints. Evaluate the current exam gate separately from the additional licensing education. A possible October route does not change the current certification answer. Ask the board about any disputed transcript subjects, then decide which section to prepare for while your licensing route is confirmed.
- What should I confirm before applying in Alabama?
- The final adoption and replacement course rules for the October proposal were not confirmed in this review.
- Does a CPAPass account apply for my Alabama license?
- No. CPAPass provides CPA Exam practice and study planning. The state board and its designated services evaluate education, approve exam applications, and issue licenses or permits.
Evidence and review dates
Official Alabama requirements sources
Core research date: . Licensing review date: . Proposed rules, effective dates, and unresolved details remain labeled in the relevant sections. Official authorities decide eligibility; this guide helps you prepare the questions and records.