CPA Resources
CPA Licensure Readiness
1. CPA Exam
Pass all four sections of the CPA Exam.
2. Education
Complete a Bachelor’s Degree (or higher) from an accredited institution.
Complete 150 hours of college credit, as reflected on your official transcripts.
3. Experience
4. Apply
Ensure you have the necessary application fee and apply for a license on the portal.
Next Steps
CPA License Renewal
Louisiana CPA Licenses expire each year at December 31st. You can renew your license online beginning November 1st. After January of each year, late fees apply. The link below will take you to the Licensee Portal where you can log in and renew either your Active CPA License or your Inactive or Retired CPA Certificate:
Active CPAs have an additional step when renewing their license each year – they must report CPE. CPE must be completed by December 31st of each year and reported no later than January 31st of the following year. However, the renewal can still be submitted prior to the completion of the hours. The CPE link in a licensee’s portal can be updated AFTER a renewal has been submitted. Please see the CPE section of our website for further information.
User ID’s and Passwords are no longer mailed. The online portal is connected to your email on file with the Board and passwords can be changed using the ‘forgot password’ feature. Paper renewal forms are discouraged, but if you require one, please let us know. If you have any questions or to request a paper renewal form, please email cpaboard.sitemaster@la.gov or call 504-566-1244.
Please note, the Board no longer mails renewal reminders via regular mail. The only reminder you will receive will be delivered electronically to the email address we have on file.
CPA License Reinstatement
If your CPA License expired more than one year ago, you can submit a reinstatement application online through the Licensee Portal. The basic requirements include completing 120 hours of CPE and obtaining one year of experience verified by a CPA within the last four years.
CPE for Reinstatement:
An applicant will need 120 hours of CPE in order to reinstate, including 3 hours of a Board-Approved Ethics course, and it must be completed PRIOR to submitting your application. Only CPE hours earned in the three years prior to the application will be accepted and it can’t include hours previously submitted to the Board. The CPE Report form below should be completed and the Certificates of Completion need to be attached. Uploading these documents as one PDF works best when you get to that section on the reinstatement application.
Experience Requirement:
The experience required must be verified by a licensed CPA (from any state) who is in a position to know and verify your work in either public accounting, industry, academia or government. The one year of experience must be within the past four years prior to submitting the application. A letter written by the CPA with the dates of employment and job description or a completed Experience Verification form, below, must be uploaded with your reinstatement application.
Inactive & Retired CPAs
CPA Reciprocity
Louisiana’s requirements to become a CPA are substantially equivalent to all accountancy board jurisdictions, which includes all 50 states plus Guam, CNMI, the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. Therefore, if a CPA holds an Active license from any of these jurisdictions, they can apply for a Reciprocal License in Louisiana regardless if they live in the state or not. However, if a CPA establishes their principal place of business in Louisiana, they are required to obtain a reciprocal license. Applications are accepted through the Applicant Portal for a fee of $120 and a license verification from the originating jurisdiction will need to be uploaded with the submission.
Licensure Fees
CPA Examination Fees:
Contact NASBA (1-800-CPA EXAM or www.nasba.org)
Contact CPA Exam Services at NASBA, or go online to the Louisiana page under Exams/CPA Exam at NASBA’s website.
CPA LICENSE – Initial Application Fees:
- CPA Certificate (license application) – $100
- Reciprocal CPA certificate – $120
- Reinstatement applications – (contact the office)
- Firm Permit application – $150
Transfer of CPA Exam Grades Application:
- CPA Certificate application – $100
- Grade Transfer fee – $50
CPA-Retired – Initial Application Fee:
- CPA-Retired status (application) – $50
Other Costs/Fees Charged:
- Registrant List – $20
- Replacement of lost certificate – $50
- Written verification – $50
- NSF check – $15
Annual Renewal Fees:
(see table format below also):
Individual Registrants:
Due December 31
- CPA Inactive status – $50
- CPA Retired status – $50
- Certificate (License) – $120
Filing after the due date:
- February – a delinquent fee of $200 for a license (Active CPA), $60 for Inactive status certificate
- March thru December – a reinstatement fee is also added which is $50 for each month until received for a license (Active CPA), $15 for each month until received for Inactive status certificate
Renewal and Late Delinquent / Reinstatement Fees:
(after due date):
Active CPA
Inactive CPA
Retired CPA
Firm Permit
Renewal Fee
$120
$50
$50
$50 + $25 per owner over 10 owners
Plus total delinquent fees if renewed in:
February
$200
$60
$0
$300
March
$250
$75
$0
$300
April
$300
$90
$0
$300
May
$350
$105
$0
$300
June
$400
$120
$0
$300
July
$450
$135
$0
$300
August
$500
$150
$0
$300
September
$550
$165
$0
$300
October
$600
$180
$0
$300
November
$650
$195
$0
$300
December
$700
$210
$0
$300
Change of Address
Update your address, employer, and email address directly through the online portal:
Your email address serves as your username. If needed, you can reset your password. Once logged in, you can:
- Update your address in the Personal Information section.
- Update your employer details under Employment Information.
- Change your email address in the Account Settings section, located in the upper right corner.
Please note that the Licensee and Firm Portals are separate, so be sure to update both, if applicable.