New Pathways to CPA Licensure in Illinois

The accounting profession in Illinois just got a significant boost. Governor J.B. Pritzker recently signed legislation that creates new, more flexible pathways to CPA licensure—changes that could dramatically impact your journey toward becoming a certified public accountant.

If you’re considering DePaul University’s online Master of Science in Accountancy (MSA) program, these changes represent exciting new opportunities to accelerate your career timeline. These changes also maintain the rigorous standards that make the CPA credential so valuable.

What’s Changed? Three Pathways Now Lead to CPA Licensure

Starting January 1, 2027, Illinois will offer three distinct pathways to CPA licensure, giving accounting professionals more flexibility than ever before. Here’s how the new landscape looks:

The Options

Pathway 1: Bachelor’s Degree + Extended Experience

• Undergraduate degree in accounting
• Two years of relevant work experience
• Pass the CPA exam

Pathway 2: Master’s Degree + Focused Experience

• Master’s degree in accounting
• One year of relevant work experience
• Pass the CPA exam

Pathway 3: Traditional 150-Credit Hour Route (Unchanged)

• 150 semester credit hours (224 quarter credit hours)
• One year of relevant work experience
• Pass the CPA exam

As Geoffrey Brown, president and CEO of the Illinois CPA Society, notes, this legislation ensures that “Illinois’ CPAs will remain at the forefront of the national business landscape” while creating “a broader pipeline of next-generation accounting talent.”¹

Why This Matters 

Reduced Barriers, Maintained Rigor

The Illinois CPA Society designed this legislation specifically to “eliminate unnecessary barriers to entry into the CPA profession, most notably, the time and costs required to become a CPA”² while preserving “the rigor and integrity of the credential.”¹ For working professionals, this means you can potentially achieve licensure more efficiently without compromising the quality and respect associated with the CPA designation.

Competitive Advantage in the Job Market

Illinois joins other states across the nation in modernizing CPA licensure requirements in response to “talent pipeline issues, shifting demographics, and changing financial and audit regulatory standards.”¹

Understanding the Implementation Timeline

While the new pathways officially begin January 1, 2027, there’s an important caveat that current students should note. According to recent communications with the Illinois CPA Society and the Illinois Board of Examiners, it’s still unclear whether these changes will apply to all graduates or only those graduating after January 1, 2027. The Illinois Board of Examiners is expected to clarify this crucial detail.

Additional Benefits: Interstate Practice Privileges

The new legislation includes provisions that benefit Illinois CPAs beyond just the licensure pathways. The law ensures that:

• Out-of-state CPAs can serve Illinois clients without obtaining an Illinois license if their home state’s requirements are substantially equivalent
• Illinois CPAs maintain practice privileges across state borders

This reciprocity is particularly valuable for DePaul’s online MSA students, who may work with clients or employers across multiple states throughout their careers.

The Broader Context: Addressing Industry Challenges

This legislation represents Illinois’ response to a nationwide accounting talent shortage. The unanimous support in both the House and Senate, along with bipartisan sponsorship, demonstrates broad recognition that the accounting profession needs to evolve to meet current and future demands.

The Illinois CPA Society worked closely with the Illinois Board of Examiners and the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to ensure these changes address “Illinois’ ongoing accounting talent shortage and growing need for CPAs to serve the business community and protect public interests.”²

Next Steps: Staying Informed and Prepared

As these changes continue to develop, here’s how you can stay ahead:

1. Monitor updates: Keep an eye out for clarifications from the Illinois Board of Examiners meeting planned for late September
2. Plan your experience: Begin identifying opportunities for relevant work experience that will count toward licensure requirements
3. Connect with DePaul advisors: Discuss how these changes might impact your individual academic and career timeline
4. Network with professionals: Engage with Illinois CPA Society events and resources to stay current on implementation details

A New Era of Opportunity

The new CPA licensure pathways in Illinois represent more than just regulatory changes. They signal a new era of opportunity for accounting professionals.

As the accounting profession continues to evolve in response to changing business needs and demographic shifts, graduates with strong educational foundations like those provided by DePaul’s online MSA program will be well-positioned to lead and succeed.

The implementation details may still be developing, but one thing is clear: Illinois is committed to building a robust pipeline of qualified CPAs. Whether you’re currently in the MSA program or considering enrollment, these changes represent an exciting opportunity to accelerate your path to CPA licensure while maintaining the high standards that make this credential so valuable in today’s business environment.