How to Become a CPA in Texas: Steps and Timeline

The CPA license is one of the most reliable ways to move up in accounting, but the path to earning it is longer and more detailed than many candidates expect. The credential takes years, and the order you do things in matters: which classes you take, when you sit for the exam, and where you get your experience. If you are figuring out how to become a CPA in Texas, the path just got more flexible, which makes early planning even more worthwhile.

Education Requirements

Education has historically been the biggest hurdle, because most states required 150 semester hours, or about a year beyond a standard bachelor’s degree. Texas now offers two routes. According to the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy, candidates can qualify through either of these:

• Pathway A: a bachelor’s degree or higher, 150 semester hours, and one year of supervised work experience
• Pathway B: a bachelor’s degree with 120 semester hours and two years of supervised work experience

Both pathways require at least 27 semester hours of upper level accounting coursework for certification, plus a three semester hour accounting or business ethics course. Pathway B became available on August 1, 2026, and candidates who were already working toward 150 hours can choose to switch.

The practical tradeoff is time spent in school versus time spent working. Pathway B lets you start earning sooner, while Pathway A may suit students who can finish a master’s degree efficiently or want the extra coursework.

CPA Exam Requirements

The Uniform CPA Exam has four sections, and you need a score of 75 or higher on each. Since 2024, the exam has used a core plus discipline format. Every candidate takes three core sections:

• Auditing and Attestation (AUD)
• Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR)
• Taxation and Regulation (REG)

You then choose one discipline section: Business Analysis and Reporting (BAR), Information Systems and Controls (ISC), or Tax Compliance and Planning (TCP). Choose the one that fits the work you want to do, since it signals your focus to future employers.

Before you can schedule the exam, Texas requires a separate eligibility review of your coursework, so apply for eligibility before you plan your study calendar. Once you pass your first section, you generally have 30 months to pass the rest. That is enough time for most working candidates, but only if you schedule sections deliberately instead of waiting for a quiet stretch at work.

Experience and Ethics

The CPA license requirements go beyond the exam. Texas requires one or two years (depending on your pathway) of full time, nonroutine accounting work directly supervised by a licensed CPA. You must also pass an open book exam on the Texas Rules of Professional Conduct with a score of 85 percent or higher, then apply for your certificate and take the oath of office, per the Board.

The supervision requirement catches some candidates off guard. A strong accounting role won’t count toward licensure if no CPA is supervising your work, so confirm this with any employer before you accept an offer.

Building Experience That Counts

For most candidates, how to get a CPA comes down to which first jobs you take. Public accounting has long been the traditional starting point, especially in audit and tax, because CPA supervision is built into the structure. Corporate roles can also qualify, including staff accountant, general ledger, and financial reporting positions, as long as a CPA oversees the work.

Your early roles also shape where the license takes you. An audit background often leads to controllership or technical accounting, while tax experience opens advisory and planning paths. Our guide to accounting career paths by function covers how these tracks differ, and our breakdown of staff accountant vs. senior accountant explains what the first promotion typically looks like.

When you interview, ask directly how the team supports exam candidates. Study leave, exam fee reimbursement, and flexibility during busy season can make a real difference in how quickly you finish.

Is the CPA Worth It?

For candidates who plan to stay in accounting, the CPA is still the credential employers recognize most. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $83,680 for accountants and auditors as of May 2025 and projects 5 percent employment growth from 2025 to 2035, with roughly 115,300 openings each year. It also notes that accountants who file reports with the SEC must be licensed CPAs. Many controller, audit manager, and senior tax roles list the license as preferred or required, and it gives you more room to move between public accounting and industry.

So how do you become a CPA without losing momentum? Pick your pathway early, match your coursework to Texas requirements, and choose a first role that offers CPA supervision and room to grow. If you are looking for that next step, you can browse our latest accounting and finance openings or submit your resume to connect with a recruiter who knows the Houston and Dallas markets.