How to become a CPA in Wisconsin 2024

To meet the Wisconsin requirements to sit for the CPA exam, the Wisconsin CPA education requirements must be attained first. For Wisconsin applicants, candidates should have a degree with a minimum of 120 semester hours that includes coursework either in accounting or business subjects. Twenty-four of that semester’s hours must be in accounting covering financial accounting, auditing, taxation, accounting information system and management accounting. Another twenty-four hours must be in business and economics courses other than accounting. An additional 30 semester hours will have to be met for application of a CPA license.

After completion of education requirements, register to NASBA for the exam application. Have all your official transcripts sent directly from your college or university to CPA Examination Services (CPAES) at CPA Examination Services – WI, PO Box 198469, Nashville, TN 37219. If your school offers official electronic transcripts, they may be emailed to etranscript@nasba.org.

Pay all fees at the time of application to NASBA. First-time applicants are required to pay both an application fee and an examination fee. Re-examination candidates are required to pay both a registration fee and an examination fee.

Click here to see a breakdown of the Wisconsin CPA exam costs.

Wait for your application to be approved and once accepted, NASBA will email or mail you the Notice to Schedule (NTS). Upon receiving the NTS, schedule your exam online through Prometric. You are able to apply for one or more sections of the examination at a time. The NTS is valid for one testing event or six months and must be presented for entry at the testing center.

The CPA exam consists of the three core sections and candidates would need to select one of the three discipline to demonstrate deeper skills and knowledge, allowing candidates to choose a specialization. There is no set order in which the exam portions must be completed. You must pass each section with a score of 75 or higher within 18 months.

After passing the exam, to apply and obtain a license and become a CPA, candidates must complete the Wisconsin CPA experience requirement. A one-year experience will consist of providing service either in accounting, attestation, compilation, management advisory, financial advisory, tax or related consulting skills. Document and submit all experiences through this form and the employment verification.

Candidates must successfully pass the open book professional ethics examination on statutes and rules governing the practice of public accounting as part of the Wisconsin CPA ethics exam requirement. The passing grade on the professional ethics examination is 80.

After fulfilling the experience and ethics requirement, apply for a CPA license by filling up the Application for Certified Public Accountant License form. All other materials to be submitted will be instructed in the form. For a list of forms, visit the state board’s website.

For Wisconsin licensees, renewal is December 14th of each odd-numbered year. For licensees to be able to renew, a Continuing Professional Education (CPE) is mandatory prior to official renewal application.

Licensees must complete at least 80 CPE credits that contribute to growth in professional knowledge and professional competence. Of the 80, at least 20 credits shall be completed during each 12 month period. The 80 CPE credits shall include at least 40 CPE credits from formal learning activiti​​​es. Three of the CPE credits must be related to ethics. New licensees are not required to undergo CPE requirement the year they joined. At the time of each renewal, an applicant will have to sign a statement certifying that the CPE credit hours required have been completed. See further details on the requirements here.

The board will give a notice of renewal to each licensee holder at least 30 days prior to the renewal date of the credential. Licensee can renew online or paper. Contact the board at (608) 266‑2112 for paper renewal. Failure to renew for the reason that you were unable to receive the notice is not valid. See guidelines for renewal here.