No — you do not need a master’s degree to become a CPA. A master’s is one of several ways to meet the education requirement, but it has never been mandatory. What most states actually require is 150 semester credit hours of college education, and there are faster, less expensive ways to reach that number than enrolling in graduate school. In a growing number of states, you may not even need the full 150 hours at all.

Here’s exactly what’s required, what your options are, and how to decide what makes sense for you.

The real requirement: 150 credit hours, not a master’s

The confusion comes from how the numbers line up. A typical bachelor’s degree is about 120 credit hours, while most states require 150 hours to be licensed as a CPA. That leaves a 30-hour gap — roughly a year of additional coursework.

Because a master’s program usually adds 30 or more credits, going to grad school is a convenient way to close that gap. Over the years, so many candidates took that route that “becoming a CPA” and “getting a master’s” started to feel like the same thing. They are not. The requirement is the credit hours, not the degree. How you earn those hours is up to you. Again, you don’t need a Master’s Degree to Become a CPA.

Three ways to reach 150 credit hours

1. Earn a master’s degree. A Master of Accountancy (MAcc), Master of Science in Taxation (MST), or an MBA with an accounting concentration will push you past 150 hours while deepening your expertise. This is a strong choice if you want the credential for career reasons — many large public accounting firms value it — and if the time and cost fit your plans.

2. Complete the extra credits without a second degree. You don’t have to earn all 150 hours from a single school or in a degree program. You can take additional accounting and business courses online or at a community college, transfer them in, and meet the requirement without paying graduate tuition. For candidates who already hold a bachelor’s degree and simply need to close the 30-hour gap, this is usually the fastest and most affordable path.

3. Plan ahead as an undergraduate. If you’re still in school, a double major, a strategic minor, or a five-year combined bachelor’s/master’s program can get you to 150 hours before you ever graduate.

Master’s degree vs. extra credits: cost and time

This is where the decision usually comes down to math.

A master’s degree generally takes one to two years and can cost anywhere from roughly $20,000 to well over $60,000, depending on the program. You get a credential and additional depth, but you also delay your entry into the workforce and take on the full cost of a degree.

Completing the extra 30 credits through standalone coursework typically costs a fraction of that and can often be done on your own schedule, including while you work. You don’t get a second diploma, but you do satisfy the exact same licensing requirement — and you sit for the same CPA exam either way.

In short: if you want a master’s for the career benefits, it’s a fine route. If your only goal is to qualify for licensure, paying for a full graduate degree to gain 30 credits is often more time and money than the situation requires.

What’s changing in 2026: some states no longer require 150 hours

The CPA licensure landscape is shifting. To address a nationwide accounting talent shortage, the AICPA and NASBA approved a model change in 2025 that adds a new route to licensure: a bachelor’s degree plus two years of professional experience, instead of 150 credit hours plus one year of experience. States decide individually whether to adopt it, and by mid-2026 more than 30 states had enacted or begun implementing a 120-credit alternative.

The trade-off is straightforward. These pathways let you skip the extra 30 credit hours in exchange for an additional year of supervised work experience. For some candidates that’s a great deal. For others — especially anyone who wants to get licensed sooner rather than spend an extra year accumulating experience — finishing the additional credits and qualifying on the traditional one-year-of-experience track is still the quicker route to the license.

A few important caveats:

  • Rules vary by state, and they’re changing fast. The pathway available to you depends entirely on the state where you intend to be licensed.
  • You’ll still need specific accounting and business coursework regardless of which pathway you choose. The credit total is only part of the requirement.
  • Always confirm current requirements with your state Board of Accountancy or through NASBA before making a plan.

So, do you need a master’s to become a CPA? The bottom line

No. You need to meet your state’s education requirement — most commonly 150 credit hours — and a master’s is just one way to get there. If you already have a bachelor’s degree and need to close the gap, completing the additional coursework on its own is usually faster and far less expensive than a full graduate program. And depending on your state, an experience-based pathway may give you another option entirely.

The right choice depends on your goals, your budget, and the state where you plan to practice.

Frequently asked questions

Can you become a CPA without a master’s degree? Yes. A master’s is not required anywhere. You need to satisfy your state’s education requirement, which most often means 150 credit hours that can be earned through any accredited coursework — not necessarily a graduate degree.

Is a master’s degree worth it for the CPA? It can be, if you want the added expertise and the career advantages many firms associate with the credential. But if your goal is simply to qualify for the exam and license, the additional credits can be earned more cheaply through standalone coursework.

How do I get the extra 30 credits without a master’s? You can take additional accounting and business courses online or at a community college and transfer them toward the 150-hour requirement. Just make sure the courses satisfy your state’s specific subject-area rules.

Do all states still require 150 credit hours? No longer. As of 2026, more than 30 states have added or are implementing alternative pathways that allow licensure with a bachelor’s degree (120 hours) plus additional work experience. Requirements vary by state, so confirm with your state board.

Need to close the credit gap without going back for a full degree?

CPACredits.com offers accredited, self-paced accounting and business courses designed specifically to help you reach the 150-hour requirement — without the cost or time commitment of a master’s program. [Explore courses and start when you’re ready.]

This article is for general informational purposes and isn’t licensing advice. CPA requirements differ by state and change over time. Always verify current rules with your state Board of Accountancy or NASBA.