Requirements

Louisiana CPA Exam Requirements (2026)

Louisiana requires 150 semester hours and one year of experience. The State Board of CPAs of Louisiana oversees the profession.

Quick answer

Louisiana requires 150 semester hours, 1 year of experience, and passing all 4 CPA exam sections. Overseen by the State Board of Certified Public Accountants of Louisiana.

150 hrs

Education

semester hours

1 yr

Experience

either

$75

Application Fee

state board

40 hrs

CPE

annual

Licensing Timeline

Steps to CPA License in Louisiana

1. Complete Education Requirements

Earn 150 semester hours with at least 24 hours of accounting coursework.

2. Apply for the CPA Exam

Apply through NASBA and the Louisiana CPA Board.

3. Schedule and Pass the CPA Exam

Pass all four sections within the 30-month window.

4. Gain Professional Experience

Complete one year of supervised accounting experience.

5. Complete Ethics Requirements

Pass the AICPA Professional Ethics exam.

6. Apply for Your CPA License

Submit your license application to the Louisiana board.

Fee Breakdown

Fee estimates for Louisiana — verify current amounts at State Board of Certified Public Accountants of Louisiana
Fee TypeAmount
State Application Fee$75
Exam Fee (per section)$238
Total Exam Fees (4 sections)$952
Estimated Total (exam only)$1027

Your Louisiana CPA Checklist

0/6 complete
1. Complete Education Requirements

Earn 150 semester hours with at least 24 hours of accounting coursework.

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

What makes Louisiana unique

  • Louisiana uses the distinct name "State Board of Certified Public Accountants of Louisiana."
  • Annual CPE of 40 hours with 2 hours of ethics.
  • No minimum age or residency requirement for CPA candidates.

Education Requirements

Louisiana requires 150 semester hours from an accredited institution, including 24 semester hours of accounting. The curriculum must cover financial accounting, auditing, taxation, and managerial accounting. 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.

LSU and Tulane University are among the Louisiana institutions offering accounting programs that meet board requirements. 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.

CPA Exam and Experience

Louisiana candidates apply through NASBA and test at Prometric centers. The exam follows the national format with a 30-month rolling window. Managing your rolling exam deadlines requires a proactive calendar strategy that plans for potential retakes and busy season blackouts well in advance. Securing early passes on Core sections provides the necessary breathing room to tackle complex Discipline sections without risking expired credits.

One year of accounting experience under CPA supervision is required. Louisiana accepts experience in various accounting settings. 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.

Fees and Licensing

Louisiana's application fee is approximately $75. Total first-attempt exam costs are about $1,028 including NASBA fees. 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.

License application and annual renewal fees are additional costs. 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.

Continuing Professional Education

Louisiana CPAs must complete 40 hours of CPE annually, including 2 hours of ethics. The board accepts various delivery methods from approved providers. 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.

CPAs must maintain documentation for audit purposes. Louisiana follows standard CPE guidelines. Our content team is comprised of seasoned CPAs and accounting educators who continuously review new pronouncements and exam updates to ensure our banks stay fully aligned. This rigorous, multi-pass editorial review process guarantees that every explanation and mapping is technically flawless and reflects the true style of the actual exam. 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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I sit for the CPA exam with 120 hours in Louisiana?
Yes. Louisiana allows candidates to sit with 120 hours, but 150 are needed for licensure.
Does Louisiana require residency?
No. Louisiana does not require state residency for CPA licensure.
What is Louisiana's CPE requirement?
Louisiana CPAs must complete 40 hours of CPE annually, including 2 hours of ethics.