Requirements

Rhode Island CPA Exam Requirements (2026)

Rhode Island requires 150 semester hours and one year of experience. The Rhode Island Board of Accountancy manages the CPA licensing process.

Quick answer

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

150 hrs

Education

semester hours

1 yr

Experience

either

$75

Application Fee

state board

120 hrs

CPE

triennial

Licensing Timeline

Steps to CPA License in Rhode Island

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 Rhode Island Board of Accountancy.

3. Schedule and Pass the CPA Exam

Pass all four sections within 30 months.

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 Rhode Island board.

Fee Breakdown

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

Your Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island unique

  • Rhode Island uses a triennial CPE cycle requiring 120 hours.
  • The smallest U.S. state still maintains its own CPA board.
  • No residency or age requirement.

Education Requirements

Rhode Island requires 150 semester hours from an accredited institution, including 24 semester hours of accounting. The University of Rhode Island and Providence College offer accounting programs. 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.

Coursework must cover financial accounting, auditing, taxation, and management accounting. 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. 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 and Experience

Rhode Island candidates apply through NASBA and may test at Prometric centers in-state or in neighboring Massachusetts or Connecticut. 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.

One year of accounting experience under CPA supervision is required. The Providence and greater Boston metro areas provide extensive accounting opportunities. 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

Rhode Island's application fee is approximately $75. Total first-attempt costs are about $1,028. 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.

Triennial renewal fees apply once licensed. 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

Rhode Island CPAs must complete 120 hours of CPE every three years (triennial cycle), including 4 hours of ethics. 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 Rhode Island Society of CPAs offers CPE programming. Nearby Boston also provides extensive CPE opportunities. 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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I sit for the CPA exam with 120 hours in Rhode Island?
Check with the Rhode Island Board of Accountancy for current sitting requirements. 150 hours are required for licensure.
What experience does Rhode Island require?
Rhode Island requires one year of accounting experience under CPA supervision.
What is Rhode Island's CPE requirement?
Rhode Island CPAs must complete 120 hours of CPE every three years, including 4 hours of ethics.