Learn The 7 Simple Steps to Qualifying To Become A Licensed CPA in Wisconsin:
- Meet The Education Requirements in Wisconsin
- Submit Your CPA Exam Application in Wisconsin
- Request Your College Transcripts in Wisconsin
- Pay Your NASBA CPA Schedule Fees in Wisconsin
- Schedule Your CPA Exam Sections At A Prometric Center in Wisconsin
- Find A CPA Exam Mentor To Help You Pass
- Find A CPA Review Course To Study
If you would like a more detailed checklist to make this process even easier, please download your Free CPA Exam Application Checklist PDF below:
Wisconsin Requirements Overview:
Wisconsin's (WI) CPA exam requirements are very specific relating to accounting and business courses that are required to be taken prior to sitting for the exam. You can sit for the exam within 60 days of you completing your education requirements.
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!
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Education Requirements
What are the education requirements in Wisconsin?
150 Hours Requirement
WI only requires 120 hours before you can sit for the exam (Used to be 150 hours)
NOTE: Requires educational requirements must be met within 60 days of taking the exam. May not be valid with the recent hours change. Please contact state board to ensure.
Accounting Course Requirements
WI has a choice of 4 different options that you must complete in addition to the 150 credit hour requirement:
Option 1: Graduate Degree in Accounting
- You are automatically qualified
Option 2: Graduate Degree in Business
Accounting courses:
--- 24 semester hours in undergraduate financial accounting, auditing, taxation, and management accounting; OR
--- 15 semester hours in graduate financial accounting, auditing, taxation, and management accounting; OR
--- Equivalent combination
Option 3 - Undergraduate Degree in accounting
-24 credit hours in undergraduate financial accounting, auditing, taxation, and management accounting
- 24 credit hours in business courses
Option 4: Undergraduate Degree in business or accounting minor
-24 credit hours in undergraduate financial accounting, auditing, taxation, and management accounting (above the introductory level)
- 24 credit hours in business courses
Business Course Requirements
Refer to the options above
Business Law Requirements
Refer to the options above
Ethics Exam
Required to take the Wisconsin Ethics Exam. Online test that requires at least an 80% to pass.
Age & Residency Requirements
What are the age and residency requirements in Wisconsin?
US Citizenship Requirement
You are NOT Required for Wisconsin to be US Citizen to sit for the CPA exam. A SSN # is not required to sit for the exam but is required to become a licensed CPA.
Residency Requirement
Wisconsin 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
Wisconsin does have a minimum age of 18 to sit for the CPA exam.
Wisconsin CPA Exam Fees
How much does it cost to take the CPA exam in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin has fairly high 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: |
$247 |
Audit: |
$195.35 |
Financial: |
$195.35 |
Regulation: |
$176.25 |
Business: |
$176.25 |
Total: |
$990.20 |
Special Fees: |
Application fee and re-exam registration fee vary based on number of parts |
Already Passed The CPA Exam in Wisconsin? Here Are The CPA License Requirements
To obtain your CPA license WI requires at least 1 year of relevant accounting experience
Wisconsin State Board Contact Info
Wisconsin Accounting Examining Board
P.O.Box 8935
Madison, WI 53708-8935
Web: http://drl.wi.gov/board_detail.asp?boardid=61&locid=0
Phone: 608-266-2112
Fax: 608-261-7083
Email: web@drl.state.wi.us
Email: cpaes-wi@nasba.org
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Bryan Kesler, CPA is the founder of Kesler CPA Review & Ultimate CPA Exam Guide which earned him a spot on CPA Practice Advisor's Top 20 Under 40.
He has helped thousands of CPA candidates pass the CPA exam since 2013. You can contact him via email bryan@cpaexamguide.com
What's Next?
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