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Iowa’s new CPA licensure law effective July 1

June 22, 2026

Starting July 1, Iowa’s law allowing for an additional pathway to CPA licensure will take effect. While the Iowa Accountancy Examining Board (IAEB) has not released the new rules that accompany the law, ISCPA has been closely following the board’s progress. We hope to have more information soon, but Iowa Code Section 17A.4(9) allows for up to six months for the IAEB to adopt and release the necessary implementing rules after a new law goes into effect.

What we know
Iowa officially recognizes three pathways CPA licensure eligibility in the state.

  1. A bachelor’s degree plus master’s degree in accounting and one year of accounting work experience with successful completion of the CPA Exam.
  2. A bachelor’s degree with required accounting coursework plus 30 additional credit hours and one year of accounting work experience with successful completion of the CPA Exam.
  3. A bachelor’s degree with required accounting coursework and two years of accounting work experience with successful completion of the CPA Exam.

At the most recent IAEB meeting, it was clearly established that “statute trumps administrative rules” during discussions on what changes will be necessary for the rules. Statute clearly establishes the three pathways to becoming a CPA in Iowa.

Awaiting IAEB rules guidance
ISCPA will share details about how the IAEB rules will apply to students who have already started their accounting education journey. Our questions include:

  1. How does the new law apply to someone who has completed a bachelor’s degree with required accounting coursework before July 1, 2026?
  2. Will work experience completed before July 1, 2026, qualify toward the two years of accounting work requirement?
  3. Is there a retroactive component to the new pathway for those with a bachelor’s degree, but lacking extra 30 credit hours that were required prior to July 1?
  4. Does a person’s first CPA Exam date impact which pathways are available to them?

Watch for updates as the IAEB releases more information and it completes the rulemaking process for the licensure law.