The Virginia House and Senate have unanimously passed legislation that introduces a new pathway to CPA licensure, set to take effect from 1 January 2026.
Virginia is claimed to have become the second state, following Ohio, to implement a new CPA licensure pathway.
This move, initiated by the Virginia Society of CPAs (VSCPA), offers an alternative to the requirement of completing 150 hours of secondary education before obtaining a licence.
The new pathway to becoming a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Virginia includes earning a baccalaureate degree with the necessary accounting coursework, gaining two years of experience, and passing the CPA Exam.
While the existing pathway remains in place, the new option prioritises practical experience over additional educational hours.
VSCPA president and CEO Stephanie Peters said: “Increasing the options accountants have to become licensed has been a major focus of the VSCPA and the profession nationwide. With declining college enrolments and new majors like data analytics, the competition to attract students to the accounting profession is strong.
“Corporations can’t run without finance teams, and businesses rely on their CPAs for valuable tax planning and strategic advice. It’s crucial we develop new ways to get accountants licensed as CPAs to become the trusted business advisors that help keep our economy running.”
The VSCPA collaborated with bill patrons Delegate Holly M. Seibold and Senator Adam Ebbin, as well as VSCPA member and CPA Delegate Joe McNamara, to advocate for this legislative change.
Discussions highlighted the significance of workforce development initiatives to lawmakers, leading to the unanimous passage of the bills.
In addition, the legislation addresses practice mobility for CPAs from outside Virginia.
This allows out-of-state CPAs to now practice in Virginia provided they hold a valid licence from another jurisdiction and have passed the CPA Exam.
This provision, while not directly impacting Virginia CPAs, is said to benefit local businesses by allowing their CPAs, who may be licensed in other states, to work in Virginia without obstacles.
With no foreseeable opposition, it is expected that Governor Glenn Youngkin will sign the legislation into law.
