Always check the Accountancy Board of each state for the most recent requirements for sitting for the CPA exam and obtaining a CPA license. To sit for the CPA exam, the current Ohio rule requires (1) completion of at least 120 semester college credits, (2) 24 semester college credits in accounting courses; and (3) 24 semester college credits in business courses.
To obtain a CPA license, you need to successfully complete the CPA exam. In addition, starting from January 1, 2026, you are required to have either (a) a Bachelor鈥檚 degree or a 鈥渃oncentration,鈥 in accounting, plus two years of work experience OR (b) a master鈥檚 degree or a 鈥渃oncentration鈥 in accounting, plus one-year work experience.
Your major does not need to be accounting, business, or finance. However, if your major was in something else, getting your master鈥檚 in accounting online is a convenient way to keep working while obtaining your certification. It is also an ideal approach to getting the accounting credits required for your licensure if you come from a different educational background. Once you obtain the necessary credits, you will then need to take the CPA exams.