All Roll Calls
Yes: 161 • No: 0
MarylandHB 06432026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET
Certified Public Accountants - Licensure - Qualifications
Sponsored By: Kriselda Valderrama (Democratic)
Signed by Governor
Business Occupations and ProfessionsAccountantsApplicants and ApplicationsLicenses -see also- AB Lic; Certifications; DrLic; Permits
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
New license paths and hours for CPAs
Beginning October 1, 2026, you must have a bachelor’s degree or higher to sit for the Maryland CPA exam. For licensure, you can choose: a master’s with 1 year of work, or a bachelor’s plus 30 credits with 1 year, or a bachelor’s with 2 years of work. Paths with a master’s or bachelor’s plus 30 require 2,000 hours; the bachelor’s‑only path requires 4,000 hours. Experience must cover accounting, attest, advisory, finance, tax, or consulting work and be done under a licensed CPA or Board‑approved professional. You must complete the experience over at least 1 year and no more than 6 years, in government, industry, academia, or public practice.
Which schools and majors now qualify
Beginning October 1, 2026, your CPA degree must be an accounting major or clearly the same as one, as the Board decides. The degree must come from a school with AACSB or ACBSP membership, regional accreditation, or get Board approval. You can take required courses at any 2‑ or 4‑year regionally accredited school the Board accepts. The Board can use an outside evaluator to judge if a program equals an accounting major and accept that decision as final.
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Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Kriselda Valderrama
Democratic • House
Cosponsors
Lily Qi
Democratic • House
William J. Wivell
Republican • House
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 4/9/2026
Third Reading Passed
Yes: 33 • No: 0 • Other: 14
House vote • 3/5/2026
Third Reading Passed
Yes: 128 • No: 0 • Other: 11
Actions Timeline
Approved by the Governor - Chapter 174
4/28/2026Returned Passed
4/10/2026HouseThird Reading Passed (33-0)
4/9/2026SenateSecond Reading Passed
4/8/2026SenateFavorable Adopted
4/8/2026SenateFavorable Report by Education, Energy, and the Environment
4/8/2026SenateReferred Education, Energy, and the Environment
3/6/2026SenateThird Reading Passed (128-0)
3/5/2026HouseFavorable Adopted Second Reading Passed
3/4/2026HouseFavorable Report by Economic Matters
3/3/2026HouseHearing 2/18 at 1:00 p.m.
2/3/2026HouseFirst Reading Economic Matters
1/30/2026House
Bill Text
Third Reading
3/4/2026
First Reading
1/30/2026
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