The country is experiencing a severe shortage of accountants, with most of the CPA workforce nearing retirement and fewer young accountants stepping in to replace them. To become a licensed CPA in all 50 states, candidates must complete 150 college credit hours—30 more than required for an undergraduate degree—and pass an exam.
Ohio plans to change this requirement starting next year due to House Bill 238, which revised various occupational regulations.
Beginning Jan. 1, 2026, the 150-hour requirement will be optional. Candidates can be certified with a bachelor’s degree and two years of related experience, or a master’s degree and one year of experience, though an exam remains mandatory. The bill also allows CPAs certified in other states to practice in Ohio without obtaining an Ohio certificate, potentially increasing the talent pool.
Donna Oklok, executive director of the Accountancy Board of Ohio, said the 150-hour rule was initially implemented in 2000 to improve CPA exam passage rates. Over time, she noted, it has become more of a barrier than a safeguard. “We were able to write something that essentially turns the clock back 30 years,” she said.
However, there are differing views on the change. Ohio State University accounting professor Tzachi Zach told Axios that while lowering entry barriers is helpful, the industry must also change public perception to attract more students. “It’s up to us educators and professionals to communicate that story to students,” he said.
The Ohio Society of CPAs has been advocating for these reforms, with president and CEO Laura Hay emphasizing the urgent need for more accountants. The organization is now focusing on promoting the benefits of a CPA career and assisting other states in adopting similar changes to Ohio’s model. Their “Look Beyond” program highlights CPA career paths in fields like sports, health care, entertainment, and entrepreneurship.
Looking ahead, other states and national accounting organizations are likely to follow Ohio’s lead. Oklok mentioned that she has heard from about 20 states considering similar legislation. “I’m getting something almost every day from our national association with a new state that has proposed something similar,” she said.
