Legislation signed into law on July 1, 2025, by Governor Josh Stein positions North Carolina as a national leader in strengthening the future of the accounting profession. Senate Bill 321, the Accounting Workforce Development Act, modernizes the process of becoming a Certified Public Accountant, or CPA. The bill was championed by the North Carolina Association of Certified Public Accountants (NCACPA).
“This bill strengthens our state’s accounting talent pipeline by rewarding experience and opening an additional pathway to licensure,” said Governor Stein during the signing ceremony.
For more than two decades, candidates for CPA licensure had to earn a bachelor’s degree plus another 30 credit hours—essentially an extra year of college—as well as complete one year of professional experience and pass the rigorous CPA Exam. For many students, the added cost and time of the education component created a barrier that deterred them from pursuing licensure.
The new law creates an additional pathway for aspiring CPAs that allows candidates to qualify for a license with a bachelor’s degree in accounting, two years of supervised experience, and successful completion of the CPA Exam.
“Senate Bill 321 represents thoughtful, forward-looking reform that addresses one of the most pressing challenges facing our profession: the shrinking CPA pipeline,” said NCACPA Board Chair Kelly Puryear, CPA. “This reform maintains our profession’s high standards while making the path more accessible, affordable, and practical. It opens doors for capable, motivated students and strengthens the pipeline of talent needed to serve our businesses, communities, and economy.”
The measure was sponsored by Senators Danny Britt (R-Robeson), Brad Overcash (R-Gaston), and Michael Lazzara (R-Onslow). It received bipartisan support and passed unanimously in both chambers of the General Assembly.
“We are proud to have worked collaboratively with state leaders to ensure North Carolina’s families and businesses continue to have access to the financial expertise they need now and in the future,” said NCACPA CEO Mark Soticheck, CPA.
The new law takes effect on January 1, 2026. More than 30 other states have passed or are considering similar legislation.
For more information, visit www.ncacpa.org/pathways.
