Applying for a CPA License in Massachusetts: FAQs

After you have passed the CPA Exam and met the education and experience requirements, you must apply for licensure through the Massachusetts Board of Public Accountancy. Applications are submitted through the Board's eLIPSE online licensing system and require supporting documentation, including an experience verification letter, three character reference letters, a CORI permission form, and other required materials. Before applying, review the Board's CPA Application Checklist and the instructions for applying for an initial accountancy license on the Massachusetts Board of Public Accountancy website to ensure you have all required documentation.

The initial fee is $175 if you have never been licensed in any jurisdiction.

The fee for a reciprocal license is $499.

If you sat for the Exam before you met the 150-hour requirement or you passed the Exam in a jurisdiction other than Massachusetts, you will need to apply for an AECR through NASBA ($100) to verify that you are “eligible” for a license. To get started, visit nasba.org/licensure/nasbalicensing/massachusetts.

When you apply for your CPA license, you must submit an experience verification letter describing your qualifying work experience. The letter must be written on the firm's letterhead, addressed to the Massachusetts Board of Public Accountancy, dated within one year of your application, and signed under the pains and penalties of perjury by a CPA who was licensed during the period your experience was obtained, worked with you, and is familiar with your work. The letter should include your exact dates of employment, indicate completion of the required 2,000 hours of qualifying experience, and state whether your employment was full- or part-time. If your experience was part-time, the letter should also include a detailed accounting of the weeks and hours worked to verify that you met the required experience.

When you apply for your CPA license, you must submit an experience verification letter describing your qualifying work experience. The letter must be written on your employer's letterhead, addressed to the Massachusetts Board of Public Accountancy, dated within one year of your application, and signed under the pains and penalties of perjury by a CPA who was licensed during the period your experience was obtained, worked with you, and is familiar with your work. The letter should include your exact dates of employment, indicate completion of the required 2,000 hours of qualifying experience, and state whether your employment was full- or part-time. If your experience was part-time, the letter should also include a detailed accounting of the weeks and hours worked to verify that you met the required experience.