Most Expensive States for CPA Licensing (2026)

The most expensive state for cpa licensing is California at $1,642.6. The cheapest is Indiana at $1,052.6. Budget for an average of $1,159 across all states.

Highest

$1,642.6

California

Average

$1,159

across 51 states

Median

$1,152.6

36 states at or below

Range

$590

spread across states

#	State	Total Initial Fees	Renewal Fee	CE Hours
#1	California	$1,642.60	$340	—
#2	New York	$1,379.60	$50	—
#3	New Jersey	$1,337.60	$120	—
#4	Washington	$1,282.60	$230	—
#5	Alaska	$1,252.60	$200	—
#5	Arizona	$1,252.60	$200	—
#7	Colorado	$1,242.56	$80	—
#8	Minnesota	$1,227.60	$175	—
#9	Connecticut	$1,222.60	$100	—
#10	Illinois	$1,202.60	$150	—
#10	Kansas	$1,202.60	$150	—
#10	Nevada	$1,202.60	$150	—
#10	Oregon	$1,202.60	$150	—
#10	Vermont	$1,202.60	$150	—
#15	Massachusetts	$1,157.60	$105	—
#16	Alabama	$1,152.60	$100.00	—
#16	District of Columbia	$1,152.60	$100	—
#16	Iowa	$1,152.60	$100	—
#16	Louisiana	$1,152.60	$100	—
#16	Maryland	$1,152.60	$100	—
#16	Michigan	$1,152.60	$100	—
#16	New Mexico	$1,152.60	$100	—
#16	Rhode Island	$1,152.60	$100	—
#16	South Dakota	$1,152.60	$100	—
#16	Tennessee	$1,152.60	$100	—
#16	Wyoming	$1,152.60	$100	—
#27	Delaware	$1,136.60	$109	—
#28	Virginia	$1,132.60	$60	—
#29	Maine	$1,127.60	$100	—
#29	Montana	$1,127.60	$100	—
#29	Nebraska	$1,127.60	$100	—
#29	New Hampshire	$1,127.60	$75	—
#29	Ohio	$1,127.60	$100	—
#34	North Carolina	$1,112.60	$60	—
#34	Texas	$1,112.60	$112	—
#36	Wisconsin	$1,109.60	$82	—
#37	Georgia	$1,102.60	$50	—
#37	Missouri	$1,102.60	$75	—
#37	North Dakota	$1,102.60	$50	—
#37	West Virginia	$1,102.60	$75	—
#41	Utah	$1,082.60	$55	—
#42	Hawaii	$1,077.60	$50	—
#42	Idaho	$1,077.60	$75	—
#42	Kentucky	$1,077.60	$50	—
#42	Mississippi	$1,077.60	$50	—
#42	Oklahoma	$1,077.60	$50	—
#42	South Carolina	$1,077.60	$50	—
#48	Pennsylvania	$1,067.60	$50	—
#49	Arkansas	$1,052.60	$50	—
#49	Florida	$1,052.60	$50	—
#49	Indiana	$1,052.60	$50	—

Total initial fees include application, exam, and license fees paid to the state (excludes education/training costs). Where fee ranges are listed, the lower bound is used for ranking. Click any state for full fee details.

Key Takeaways

•36 states come in at or below the median of $1,152.6
•The range spans from $1,052.6 to $1,642.6 — a $590 spread
•States in the South tend to have lower values (avg $1,110), while West states average $1,211

Frequently Asked Questions

Which state has the most expensive cpa license?

California has the highest total initial licensing fees at $1,642.6. The national average is $1,159.

How much do cpa licensing costs vary between states?

There is significant variation across the 51 states with data. Values range from $1,052.6 to $1,642.6, with a median of $1,152.6.

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