CPA (Certified Public Accountant) License in Arkansas

Finance · AR

License RequiredVery High Difficulty

Key Insights

•The $372 licensing fee in AR is 7% below the $398 national average for CPA (Certified Public Accountant) licenses across 53 states.
•CPA (Certified Public Accountant)s in AR earn $74,970/year, 13% below the national median of $86,080.
•The license fee represents just 0.50% of the annual salary, offering a strong return on the licensing investment.
•Rated "Very High" difficulty, this is one of the most rigorous licensing path. 7 of 26 licenses in AR share this difficulty level.
•License renewal requires 40 CE hours every 2 year(s), averaging 20 hours annually.

Live DataLast updated: April 13, 2026·Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics & State Licensing Boards

Verified

Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics & State Licensing BoardsUpdated: 2026 dataHow we compile →

Key Takeaways

Arkansas requires a license for CPA (Certified Public Accountant). Across all 53 states with data, 100% require licensure for this occupation.
The $372 initial fee is close to the national average of $398 across 53 states.
At $74,970/year, CPA (Certified Public Accountant) salaries in Arkansas are 13% below the national median of $86,080.
The licensing process has very high difficulty, requiring 150 credit hours + 1-2 years experience and typically taking 5-6 years to complete. Ongoing CE: 40 hours per cycle.
License renewal is required every 2 years in Arkansas. The average renewal cycle across states is 2 years.

Education

150 credit hours + 1-2 years experience

Required Exam

CPA Exam (4 parts)

Initial Fee

$372

Renewal Period

Every 2 year(s)

CE Hours / Cycle

40 hours

Time to License

5-6 years

Salary Comparison

Arkansas Average Wage

$74,970/yr

National Median Wage

$86,080/yr

$-11,110 (-13%) compared to national median

ArkansasNational

💡 Why it matters: CPA (Certified Public Accountant)

A CPA (Certified Public Accountant) license in Arkansas costs $372 initially and requires 150 credit hours + 1-2 years experience. Arkansas wages are below the national median by 13%, making it a more affordable market for this profession.

CPA (Certified Public Accountant) License in Other States

State	Fee	Wage	Difficulty
Alaska	$308	$91,310	Very High
Alabama	$321	$76,990	Very High
Arizona	$414	$86,230	Very High
California	$453	$100,340	Very High
Colorado	$335	$94,960	Very High
Connecticut	$432	$99,710	Very High
District of Columbia	$460	$105,970	Very High
Delaware	$479	$89,520	Very High
Florida	$314	$88,290	Very High
Georgia	$336	$83,590	Very High
Hawaii	$308	$101,810	Very High
Iowa	$451	$82,180	Very High

View all states for CPA (Certified Public Accountant)→

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Data verified: 2026-04

State DOL & Professional Boards

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LicenseWize Editorial TeamData Specialists

The LicenseWize editorial team aggregates and verifies licenses data from Bureau of Labor Statistics & State Licensing Boards. Every statistic on this site is cross-referenced against the official source before publication, with quarterly re-verification cycles.

✓ Sourced from Bureau of Labor Statistics & State Licensing Boards✓ Quarterly review✓ No paid placements

Read our full methodology or contact us with corrections.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a CPA (Certified Public Accountant) license required in Arkansas?

Yes, Arkansas requires a professional license to work as a CPA (Certified Public Accountant). You must complete 150 credit hours + 1-2 years experience, pass the CPA Exam (4 parts), and pay an initial fee of $372. The licensing process is rated Very High difficulty.

How much does a CPA (Certified Public Accountant) license cost in Arkansas?

The initial application fee for a CPA (Certified Public Accountant) license in Arkansas is $372. The license must be renewed every 2 year(s), with 40 continuing education hours required per renewal cycle. Additional costs include education, exam fees, and background checks.

What education is needed to become a CPA (Certified Public Accountant) in Arkansas?

Arkansas requires 150 credit hours + 1-2 years experience to qualify for a CPA (Certified Public Accountant) license. Candidates must pass the CPA Exam (4 parts) examination. The typical timeline from start to licensure is 5-6 years. All data is sourced from Bureau of Labor Statistics & State Licensing Boards.

How much do CPA (Certified Public Accountant)s earn in Arkansas?

CPA (Certified Public Accountant)s in Arkansas earn approximately $74,970 per year, which is $11,110 below the national median of $86,080. Actual earnings depend on experience, employer, and specific location within the state.

How does Arkansas compare to other states for CPA (Certified Public Accountant) licensing?

Arkansas's CPA (Certified Public Accountant) licensing requirements can be compared against all 53 US jurisdictions on LicenseWize. Requirements including fees ($372), education (150 credit hours + 1-2 years experience), and difficulty (Very High) vary significantly between states. Visit the CPA (Certified Public Accountant) occupation page to see a full state-by-state comparison.

Key Insights

•The $372 licensing fee in AR is 7% below the $398 national average for CPA (Certified Public Accountant) licenses across 53 states.

•CPA (Certified Public Accountant)s in AR earn $74,970/year, 13% below the national median of $86,080.

•The license fee represents just 0.50% of the annual salary, offering a strong return on the licensing investment.

•Rated "Very High" difficulty, this is one of the most rigorous licensing path. 7 of 26 licenses in AR share this difficulty level.

•License renewal requires 40 CE hours every 2 year(s), averaging 20 hours annually.