New Jersey CPA Exam & License Requirements [2024]

Learn The 7 Simple Steps to Qualifying To Become A Licensed CPA in New Jersey:

If you would like a more detailed checklist to make this process even easier, please download your Free CPA Exam Application Checklist PDF below:

New Jersey Requirements Overview:

New Jersey's (NJ) CPA exam requirements are very specific relating to accounting and business courses that are required to be taken prior to sitting for the exam. NJ does not specifically require you to have 150 hours to sit for the exam but it is highly recommended that you obtain your 150 hours to be able to become licensed.

Follow each caption below to ensure that you are qualified to sit for the exam.

Disclosure: Please note that I do my best to keep these requirements up to date but seeing as there are more than 50 states and nations with individual requirements it is difficult for me to keep up with them all. Please verify each requirement with your state board of accountancy to ensure 100% accuracy! 

 

Need help signing up for the CPA exam? We've got you covered. We are offering a free CPA Exam Strategy Session where you can get all the help and support you need. Come join us and take the first step towards achieving your goals!

Register For Free CPA Exam Planning Session With A CPA Exam Coach Here

Education Requirements

What are the education requirements in New Jersey?

150 Hours Requirement

NJ does not require 150 hours to sit but you will need 150 to obtain your license

Accounting Course Requirements

NJ has 2 different options available for education requirements:

Option 1: For < 150 credit hours
* 60 credit hours selected from courses in English, history, foreign languages, mathematics, general psychology, philosophy, biological sciences, physical sciences, economics, sociology, religion, government, political science, geography, fine arts and music; and
* A minimum of 60 credit hours in professional courses including:

• Accounting including municipal and government accounting: 24 hours
• Business law: 6 hours
• Finance: 6 hours
• Economics: 6 hours
• Related business subjects: 18 hours

Note: 150 credit hours are still required in order to obtain your license, see option 2 below.

Option 2: Obtain 150 hours from one of the following:
1) If you obtain a graduate degree in accounting from AACSB or ACBSP accredited school you automatically qualify.
2) If you obtain a graduate degree in business from AACSB or ACBSP accredited school you are required to complete the following: 
* 24 undergrad or 15 graduate level accounting courses that needs to include financial accounting, audit, tax and managerial accounting
* There is a 3:2 ratio for undergrad to graduate course work that is required. 
3) If you obtain an undergrad degree in accounting from a AACSB or ACBSP accredited school you must complete the following:
* 24 accounting credits
* 24 general business credits
4) If you obtain a general undergrad degree from a AACSB or ACBSP accredited school you must complete the following:
* 30 hours in accounting courses
* 24 general business credits

If you want to become licensed I would focus on option 2 and obtain your graduate degree.

Business Course Requirements

See above

Business Law Requirements

See above

Ethics Exam

Required to take one of these Ethics exams

Age & Residency Requirements

What are the age and residency requirements in New Jersey?

US Citizenship Requirement

You are NOT Required for New Jersey to be US Citizen to sit for the CPA exam 

Residency Requirement

New Jersey does NOT require you to be a resident, employee, OR have an office in the state for you to take the CPA exam. 

Minimum Age to Sit for the CPA Exam

New Jersey requires the applicant to be at least 18 prior to sitting for the CPA exam 

New Jersey CPA Exam Fees

How much does it cost to take the CPA exam in New Jersey?

New Jersey has fairly standard exam fee rates. If you need to re-take a part there is a varying re-application fee that you will have to pay.

Initial Application Fee:	$225
Audit:	$195.35
Financial:	$195.35
Regulation:	$176.25
Business:	$176.25
Total:	$968.20
Special Fees:	Re-exam registration fee (varying amounts based on number of parts)

Already Passed The CPA Exam in New Jersey? Here Are The CPA License Requirements

To obtain your CPA license NJ requires at least 1 year of public accounting experience in NJ that is supervised and verified by an active CPA. 

New Jersey State Board Contact Info

New Jersey State Board of Accountancy
124 Halsey Street, 6th Floor
PO Box 45000
Newark, NJ 07101

Web: www.state.nj.us/lps/ca/nonmedical/accountant.htm
Phone: 973-504-6380
Fax: 973-648-2855
Email: askconsumeraffairs@lps.state.nj.us
Email: cpaes-nj@nasba.org

What's Next?

The #1 regret I have when I first started my journey to becoming a CPA is not doing a better job planning.

I wasted hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars because of the planning mistakes I made before I even started studying.

I don't want you to make the same mistakes I did so I'm putting on a free CPA Exam Strategy Session HERE

Working with me on our free strategy session you will walkaway with a step-by-step plan of attack that you can implement.

AND you will avoid all the rookie mistake that I made that cost me so much.

You will also understand exactly what type of study materials you need to invest in and how to use them smarter.

The CPA exam is unlike any exam you have taken and requires a bit more effort upfront to plan and schedule...

Join my Next Strategy Session HERE if you are serious about passing on your first try!