According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2,440 accountants were employed in Alaska in May 2024. Alaska accountants earn a median wage of $81,950, which is on par with the national median salary of $81,680. Projections Central projects 5.3% job growth for these professionals in Alaska, demonstrating continued demand for workers with accounting skills.
Becoming a certified public accountant (CPA) can help accountants further their careers, including qualifying for advanced roles and increasing their potential.
Aspiring CPAs can earn an accounting degree in Alaska or qualify for licensure after completing their education in another state. The CPA licensing process also includes work experience and other technical details, all of which are explained in this guide.
Education Requirements for Becoming a CPA in Alaska
Starting in 2026, the Board of Public Accountancy will no longer require Alaska CPAs to obtain 150 semester credits of coursework. A bachelor's degree or equivalent with an accounting concentration, which typically requires only 120 semester credits, is sufficient for CPA licensure in Alaska.
Degrees should come from accredited institutions. Otherwise, Alaska's Board of Public Accountancy may not recognize their educational credentials.
Concentrations, Credits, and Course Acceptance
The Alaska Board of Public Accountancy states that a prospective CPA's bachelor's degree must have an "accounting concentration or its equivalent." This includes at least 15 semester credit hours or 22 quarter credit hours in accounting and nine semester credits or 15 quarter credits in business law, economics, and math.
Alaska allows candidates to take the CPA exam before they graduate from college. However, test-takers must have completed the accounting credit requirements mentioned above and be within 18 semester credits or 27 quarter credits of degree completion.
Alaska Experience Requirements
Alaska's Board of Public Accountancy mandates that all CPA candidates need at least two years of professional experience before they can apply for licensure. Aspiring CPAs do not need to complete this experience prior to taking the CPA exam.
To meet this experiential requirement, prospective CPAs must work in a role that involves the provision of services or advice related to:
Furthermore:
All work experience must have supervision and verification from a licensed CPA. The supervising CPA must complete a work experience verification form on behalf of the applicant.
CPA Exam Requirements
In Alaska, CPA candidates take the Uniform CPA Examination, which the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) develops and scores. Because details vary by state, the following subsections cover eligibility information specific to Alaska.
Eligibility to Take the Exam
In Alaska, a person can sit for the Uniform CPA Examination if they have:
Beyond these requirements, Alaska is fairly flexible with regard to its eligibility standards. First-time exam candidates must be of good moral character and at least 19 years of age. New licensure candidates currently do not need to be U.S. citizens or Alaska residents. However, license renewal after January 1, 2028 will require verification of residency in Alaska or another U.S. state./p>
Candidates must pass the AICPA's Professional Ethics Exam to receive their initial license in Alaska.
Applying for and Scheduling the Exam
The Uniform CPA Examination consists of four parts:
In Alaska, test-takers can apply for all four sections of the exam in any combination of one or more parts. However, NASBA advises candidates that they should be prepared to complete every section they apply for within six months.
Note that applying to take the Uniform CPA Examination in Alaska and scheduling the exam are two different steps. Applying relates specifically to seeking formal permission to take the exam. Scheduling involves choosing a date, time, and place to sit for one or more exam sections.
First-time applicants pay an evaluation fee, application fee, and examination fees for each section of the test they plan to take. According to NASBA, as of January 2026, the evaluation fee and application fees cost $121 and $109, respectively. Each section of the Uniform CPA Examination costs $262.64.
NASBA urges candidates to apply for exam sections early in the quarterly testing windows. Early applicants tend to receive the greatest amount of choice with regard to examination dates, times, and locations.
After Passing the Exam
In Alaska, CPA candidates must pass all four sections of the Uniform CPA Examination within 30 months. This 30-month period begins on the date the candidate passed their first section. Exam credit remains valid for 30 months and expires on a section-by-section basis.
Candidates can formally apply for their CPA license upon passing the Uniform CPA Examination and meeting all other education and experience requirements. This process is administered through Alaska's Board of Public Accountancy and involves:
Alaska CPAs can verify their licensure status to employers and other agencies by submitting a written request to the state's Board of Public Accountancy. License verification carries a $20 fee.
Retaining Licensure
In Alaska, CPA licenses expire on December 31 of odd-numbered years. Licensees scheduled to receive their first license within 90 days of an expiration date automatically receive a license valid until the end of the following two-year cycle.
Alaska CPAs will receive mailed notifications of upcoming renewal requirements at least 30 days before expiry. CPAs must notify the Board of Public Accountancy of any address changes in writing.
To renew their license, CPAs must earn continuing education (CE) credits. Alaska CPA requirements mandate that these professionals must earn a minimum of 20 hours of CE each year, with a total of at least 80 hours during each two-year licensing cycle.
Alaska's Board of Public Accountancy conducts random audits of licensees' continuing education. CPAs selected for a random audit are notified in writing and have 30 days to submit their CE documentation to the board.
If a CPA allows their license to lapse, they can apply for reinstatement at least one year after it lapses and no more than three years after it lapses. CPAs seeking reinstatement must undertake at least 120 hours of CE. These credits must be completed within 36 months of the date of their reinstatement application.
License renewal after January 1, 2028 will require verification of residency in Alaska or another U.S. state.