TX CPA Board

New CPA Pathway B Effective August 1, 2026

The Texas State Board of Public Accountancy issued FAQ guidance on new Pathway B to CPA certification, effective August 1, 2026. Pathway B allows applicants with a bachelor's degree, 120 semester hours, and two years of supervised accounting experience to qualify for CPA certification, compared to Pathway A's requirement of 150 semester hours and one year of experience. The Board also released an Election Form allowing applicants to elect Pathway B requirements before the effective date.

Proposed Amendments to CPA Licensing Rules - Educational and Experience Requirements

The Texas State Board of Public Accountancy proposes amendments to 21 sections of CPA licensing rules. Key changes include reducing required accounting hours from 30 to 27 for bachelor’s degree pathway licensure, requiring 12 months of work experience for 150-hour candidates versus two years for bachelor’s degree candidates, recognizing updated UCPAE examination disciplines, and clarifying examination credit validity periods of 30 months with 90-day reinstatement window.

New Pathway for CPA Exam and Certification Effective August 2026

The Texas Legislature enacted a new CPA certification pathway (Pathway B) effective August 1, 2026, offering an alternative to the traditional route. Pathway B reduces education requirements from 150 to 120 semester hours but increases work experience from one to two years. The Texas State Board of Public Accountancy amended Board Rules to allow early election of Pathway B via a form available from October 9, 2025 through July 31, 2026.

TSBPA Launches Redesigned Website with Improved Navigation and Accessibility

The Texas State Board of Public Accountancy (TSBPA) announced the launch of its redesigned website on March 23, 2026. The two-year redesign project features a modernized design, improved mobile experience, enhanced search functionality, and updated accessibility compliance with WCAG 2.1 standards. The agency's URL, Online Services portal, and License Lookup tool remain unchanged.