According to a report by Accounting Today, Virginia has become the second state, following Ohio, to introduce an alternative path to CPA licensure.

Legislation passed by the Virginia General Assembly allows CPA candidates to obtain a license with a bachelor’s degree, two years of work experience and passage of the CPA exam. The existing 150-credit hour requirement remains an option, but the new pathway emphasizes hands-on experience over additional coursework. The Virginia Society of CPAs (VSCPA) played a key role in advocating for the change, which is expected to take effect on Jan. 1, 2026. 

Stephanie Peters, president and CEO of the VSCPA, highlighted the need for flexible licensure requirements to attract more professionals to accounting. With declining college enrollments and increasing competition from other fields, Peters stressed that offering new pathways to licensure is essential to maintaining a strong CPA workforce. 

Pennsylvania has also taken steps to modernize CPA licensure. A newly introduced Senate bill proposes an additional pathway allowing candidates to qualify with 120 college credits, two years of experience verified by a CPA and successful completion of the CPA exam. The Pennsylvania Institute of CPAs (PICPA) supports the measure, emphasizing its importance in addressing workforce challenges while maintaining professional standards. 

In Minnesota, proposed legislation would add two new routes to CPA licensure: one requiring a bachelor’s degree and two years of general work experience and another requiring a master’s degree with one year of experience. The bill also includes provisions for automatic practice mobility and shifts regulatory oversight to the Minnesota State Board of Accountancy.