CPA / Accounting License from Michigan to Virginia: Does It Transfer? (2026)
Last verified: 2026-07-21 · source: Virginia Board of Accountancy (VBOA) ↗
Yes — Virginia recognizes CPA licenses from all states, including Michigan. Apply to the Virginia Board of Accountancy (VBOA) for a reciprocal license; you will not repeat the full exam or education.
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Verdict
Full reciprocity
Virginia recognizes substantial equivalency, so your Michigan CPA license clears the bar on its own — the Virginia Board of Accountancy (VBOA) cares that you are a CPA in good standing, not that your license came from Michigan. What remains is Virginia-side: verification through CPAverify.org, the reciprocal application and fee, a background check, and any Virginia ethics or rules-of-conduct exam. Do the mobility math first, though — if Virginia is not becoming your principal place of business, practice privilege may let you work there without this application at all.
What changes, Michigan → Virginia
| Michigan (current) | Virginia (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| Training hours | 150 | 150 |
| Application fee | Michigan charges an application processing fee plus a 2-year license fee (State License Fee Act, 1979 PA 152), collected on the CPA reciprocity application; the exact amounts are published on the LARA application forms but could not be confirmed on an accessible official page at time of research (LARA blocked automated retrieval, HTTP 403) | $75 (non-refundable application fee for an out-of-state / reciprocal applicant) |
| Processing time | LARA does not publish a processing time for the CPA reciprocity application | VBOA does not publish a total processing time; it states each submitted document is reviewed within 2-5 business days before the online checklist updates |
| Licensing authority | Michigan Board of Accountancy (Dept. of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Bureau of Professional Licensing) | Virginia Board of Accountancy (VBOA) |
The destination column is what you must satisfy — Virginia sets the rules for this move.
Step by step
- Confirm Virginia's current requirements on the Virginia Board of Accountancy (VBOA) website (linked below) — rules change.
- Submit the endorsement application to the Virginia Board of Accountancy (VBOA) (application linked below).
- Arrange license verification from your current state via the verification system.
- Hold an active CPA license in good standing from a substantially equivalent US jurisdiction.
- Create a VBOA online account and apply for a Virginia license.
- Request a Verification of Licensure be sent from the issuing state or jurisdiction.
- Be current with CPE in the issuing jurisdiction.
- Pay the fees ($75 (non-refundable application fee for an out-of-state / reciprocal applicant)) and allow VBOA does not publish a total processing time; it states each submitted document is reviewed within 2-5 business days before the online checklist updates.
Official links
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Does Virginia accept a Michigan CPA license?
Yes — Virginia recognizes CPA licenses from all states, including Michigan. Apply to the Virginia Board of Accountancy (VBOA) for a reciprocal license; you will not repeat the full exam or education.
Do I retake the CPA Exam moving from Michigan to Virginia?
No — the Uniform CPA Exam transfers with your license. The Uniform CPA Examination is never retaken; passage is confirmed by requesting a Verification of Licensure from the issuing jurisdiction (national lookup at CPAverify.org). Virginia imposes no state rules exam and, since October 28, 2022, the VBOA no longer requires the AICPA professional ethics course for applicants coming in through substantial equivalency..
Do I need a Virginia license, or does mobility cover the move?
If Virginia becomes your principal place of business, you apply to the Virginia Board of Accountancy (VBOA) for a reciprocal license. If you are only serving Virginia clients from Michigan, practice privilege usually covers you with no Virginia license, notice, or fee.
What does the Michigan-to-Virginia move cost?
$75 (non-refundable application fee for an out-of-state / reciprocal applicant) (non-refundable application fee for an out-of-state / reciprocal applicant).
Can I keep my Michigan CPA license after licensing in Virginia?
Yes — CPA licenses stack, and many CPAs hold more than one. Keep the Michigan license active (its renewal and CPE run separately) and mobility covers the states where you hold none.
Sources
Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-07-21.
- Virginia Board of Accountancy — License reciprocity (substantial equivalency; AICPA ethics no longer required for SE applicants as of 10/28/2022) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Virginia Board of Accountancy — Fees ($75 application fee) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Virginia Board of Accountancy — Processing timelines (2-5 business days per document) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Michigan LARA — Licensed Accountant (CPA) Licensing Guide (reciprocity via 4-of-10 experience, license verification, exam certified not retaken) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Michigan LARA — Accountant (CPA) Professional Licensing Guide (150 hours, 1 year experience; no direct bilateral reciprocal agreement, qualify by experience) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Michigan LARA — Board of Accountancy (Bureau of Professional Licensing) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
Reviewed by Billy Reiner, Editor · verified against primary sources 2026-07-21
How we verify · All sources · spot an error? [email protected]