Official State of Rhode Island website

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State of Rhode Island, Department of Business Regulation ,

NOTICE:

CPA Licenses Expiring on 06/30/2026

Click Renew-Reinstate-Amend or in the tab below on the left for the instructions.

Board of Accountancy

Board of Accountancy

CPA Pathways to Licensure

Effective June 23, 2026, to be licensed in Rhode Island as a CPA, you must meet at a minimum the requirements for one of the following pathways:

If you do not meet these requirements, you are not eligible for initial licensure as a CPA in RI. For reciprocal pathways and requirements for individual mobility practice privileges, please review the 2026 amended version of R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-3.1-5. 

PATHWAY 1

  • Bachelor’s Degree and Master's Degree with an Accounting Major or Concentration as required by the Board’s Regulation
  • At least 1 year (1,820 hours) of experience verified by a CPA licensed in any US jurisdiction
  • Pass all parts of the Uniform CPA Examination 
  • Score of at least 90 on AICPA Comprehensive Ethics Course (For Licensure) Exam

PATHWAY 2

  • Bachelor’s Degree + 30 additional college credits with an Accounting Major or Concentration as required by the Board’s Regulation.
  • At least 1 year (1,820 hours) of experience verified by a CPA licensed in any US jurisdiction
  • Pass all parts of the Uniform CPA Examination 
  • Score of at least 90 on AICPA Comprehensive Ethics Course (For Licensure) Exam

PATHWAY 3 (NEW 2026)

  • Bachelor’s Degree with an Accounting Major or Concentration as required by the Board’s Regulation
  • At least 2 years (3,640 hours) of experience verified by a CPA licensed in any US jurisdiction
  • Pass all parts of the Uniform CPA Examination 
  • Score of at least 90 on AICPA Comprehensive Ethics Course (For Licensure) Exam

The Rhode Island Board of Accountancy is established and governed by RI Gen. Laws 5-3.1 of the Rhode Island General Laws. It is an autonomous executive branch board administratively housed within the Department of Business Regulation. The Board is responsible for licensing certified public accountants (“CPAs”) and public accounting practice units (CPA firms). The Board handles complaints that allege violations of statutory and regulatory provisions under the Board’s jurisdiction. 

The Board is a public body that generally meets about 6 to 9 times per year. While administrative staff may be able to answer certain routine questions between meetings, matters that require Board action are required to be noticed on the Board’s meeting agenda per the Open Meetings Act.

Board of Accountancy
Dawne Broadfield
1511 Pontiac Ave., Bldg 68-2
Cranston RI 02920
Phone:401-462-9594
E-mail