MACPA
Maryland's General Assembly has passed House Bill 643, which adds an additional pathway to CPA licensure — a modernized licensure framework that preserves the current 150-hour model while introducing an additional experience-based pathway for CPA candidates.
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore has signed the bill, and the new law will take effect on Oct. 1, 2026.
The new pathway does not eliminate existing pathways, reduce examination requirements, or weaken supervision standards. Instead, it recognizes that structured, supervised experience can demonstrate professional competency alongside formal education.
Here you’ll find more information about the new pathway.
Pass CPA Exam + earn a bachelor's degree with a concentration in accounting + 30 additional credit hours of college-level education + 1 year of professional experience.
Pass CPA Exam + earn a master’s degree in accounting + 1 year of professional experience.
Pass CPA Exam + earn a bachelor’s degree (with a minimum concentration in accounting or business) + 2 years of relevant professional experience
The new pathway to licensure will benefit CPA candidates, employers, and Maryland’s business community in four important ways:
Offer candidates additional flexibility
by recognizing diverse educational backgrounds and learning experiences, and by creating an additional route to licensure via structured work experience.
Reduce the financial and time burdens
created by the 150-hour requirement while also supporting students and career changers without compromising quality.
Support employers who face a growing need
for accounting talent by broadening access to licensure for qualified professionals.
Keep Maryland's employers & CPA candidates competitive
with the dozens of other states that are pursuing similar reforms.
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Introduced
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Committee (1st)
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Passed 1st
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Committee (2nd)
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Passed Both Chambers
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🎉
Governor's Desk - Signed 4/28
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