Requirements

Florida CPA Exam Requirements (2026)

Florida is one of the largest CPA candidate pools in the nation. The Florida Board of Accountancy requires 150 semester hours, one year of public accounting experience, and passage of the Uniform CPA Exam.

Quick answer

Florida requires 150 semester hours, 1 year of experience, and passing all 4 CPA exam sections. Overseen by the Florida Board of Accountancy.

150 hrs

Education

semester hours

1 yr

Experience

public

$50

Application Fee

state board

80 hrs

CPE

biennial

Licensing Timeline

Steps to CPA License in Florida

1. Complete Education Requirements

Earn 150 semester hours including 30 hours of accounting (with upper-level courses) and 36 hours of business courses.

2. Apply for the CPA Exam

Submit your application to the Florida Board of Accountancy through NASBA.

3. Schedule and Pass the CPA Exam

Pass all four exam sections within the 30-month rolling window.

4. Gain Public Accounting Experience

Complete one year of public accounting experience under a licensed CPA.

5. Complete Ethics Requirements

Pass the AICPA Professional Ethics exam.

6. Apply for Your CPA License

File your license application with the Florida Board of Accountancy.

Fee Breakdown

Fee estimates for Florida — verify current amounts at Florida Board of Accountancy
Fee TypeAmount
State Application Fee$50
Exam Fee (per section)$238
Total Exam Fees (4 sections)$952
Estimated Total (exam only)$1002

Your Florida CPA Checklist

0/6 complete
1. Complete Education Requirements

Earn 150 semester hours including 30 hours of accounting (with upper-level courses) and 36 hours of business courses.

2. Apply for the CPA Exam
3. Schedule and Pass the CPA Exam
4. Gain Public Accounting Experience
5. Complete Ethics Requirements
6. Apply for Your CPA License

What makes Florida unique

  • Florida specifically requires public accounting experience for licensure.
  • Candidates must be 18 years old to sit for the exam.
  • Florida requires 30 semester hours of accounting, above the typical 24.

Education Requirements for Florida CPAs

Florida requires 150 semester hours for both exam eligibility and licensure. This includes at least 30 semester hours in upper-level accounting courses and 36 semester hours in general business courses. This ensures that you do not waste precious hours re-watching identical lecture modules or re-reading long textbook chapters that you have already comprehended. Instead, our analytics pinpoint the exact wording tricks and cognitive patterns that cause incorrect answers under exam conditions, maximizing the value of your existing firm-sponsored curriculum.

Unlike many states that allow sitting at 120 hours, Florida requires the full 150 hours before a candidate can apply for the exam. This makes education planning critical for Florida candidates. By focusing on consistent, high-yield study habits and leveraging multi-dimensional diagnostics, you can systematically dismantle your exam anxieties. Committing to a daily pattern of active retrieval and careful error logging transforms how you study, driving your score steadily toward a passing result.

The accounting curriculum must cover financial accounting, auditing, taxation, and cost accounting at the upper-division level. Florida's large university system, including UF, FSU, and UCF, offers numerous accounting programs designed to meet these requirements. Many major public accounting firms and corporate employers maintain discretionary professional development funds that can be applied to targeted practice supplements. Presenting a clear, analytics-backed progress report to your learning manager can help justify the expense and secure firm-level sponsorship. Each core and discipline section of the exam features its own unique testing style, specific cognitive demands, and Blueprint weightings. Adapting your study strategies to match these section-specific differences ensures that you do not waste effort on irrelevant details or miss high-yield concepts.

CPA Exam in Florida

Florida has one of the highest volumes of CPA exam candidates nationally. Applications go through NASBA, and testing is available at Prometric centers throughout the state. We believe advanced technology should serve to guide and clarify rather than to replace rigorous, active study habits. Employing a structured, expert-verified AI dialogue ensures that you get instant conceptual clarity without the risk of relying on unverified public search engines.

The exam follows the national CPA Evolution format. All four sections must be passed with a score of 75 within a 30-month window. Florida has numerous testing locations from Jacksonville to Miami.

Experience Requirements

Florida is notable for requiring one year of specifically public accounting experience. This means experience must be gained in a CPA firm or practice providing attestation, tax, or advisory services to the public. Many major public accounting firms and corporate employers maintain discretionary professional development funds that can be applied to targeted practice supplements. Presenting a clear, analytics-backed progress report to your learning manager can help justify the expense and secure firm-level sponsorship. We believe advanced technology should serve to guide and clarify rather than to replace rigorous, active study habits. Employing a structured, expert-verified AI dialogue ensures that you get instant conceptual clarity without the risk of relying on unverified public search engines.

Government or industry accounting experience alone does not qualify. Candidates who work outside public practice should consider whether Florida is the best state for initial licensure, or if they can gain qualifying experience through part-time public accounting work. We believe advanced technology should serve to guide and clarify rather than to replace rigorous, active study habits. Employing a structured, expert-verified AI dialogue ensures that you get instant conceptual clarity without the risk of relying on unverified public search engines.

The supervising CPA must be actively licensed and in public practice. They must verify the nature and duration of the experience. By focusing on consistent, high-yield study habits and leveraging multi-dimensional diagnostics, you can systematically dismantle your exam anxieties. Committing to a daily pattern of active retrieval and careful error logging transforms how you study, driving your score steadily toward a passing result.

Continuing Professional Education

Florida CPAs must complete 80 hours of CPE biennially, with at least 4 hours in board-approved ethics. A minimum of 20 hours must be completed each year within the two-year cycle. By focusing on consistent, high-yield study habits and leveraging multi-dimensional diagnostics, you can systematically dismantle your exam anxieties. Committing to a daily pattern of active retrieval and careful error logging transforms how you study, driving your score steadily toward a passing result.

The board recognizes CPE from NASBA-registered sponsors and other approved providers. Florida CPAs can earn credit through various formats including live programs, webcasts, and self-study. Many major public accounting firms and corporate employers maintain discretionary professional development funds that can be applied to targeted practice supplements. Presenting a clear, analytics-backed progress report to your learning manager can help justify the expense and secure firm-level sponsorship. Each core and discipline section of the exam features its own unique testing style, specific cognitive demands, and Blueprint weightings. Adapting your study strategies to match these section-specific differences ensures that you do not waste effort on irrelevant details or miss high-yield concepts.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does Florida require public accounting experience?
Yes. Florida specifically requires one year of experience providing accounting services under a CPA in public practice. Government and industry experience may not qualify.
Can I sit for the CPA exam with 120 hours in Florida?
Florida requires 150 hours to sit for the exam. You must complete all 150 hours before applying.
What is Florida's CPE requirement?
Florida CPAs must complete 80 hours of CPE every two years, including 4 hours in ethics.