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LicenseReciprocity

CPA / Accounting License from Michigan to Wisconsin: Does It Transfer? (2026)

Last verified: 2026-07-21 · source: Wisconsin Accounting Examining Board (Department of Safety and Professional Services) ↗

Yes — Wisconsin recognizes CPA licenses from all states, including Michigan. Apply to the Wisconsin Accounting Examining Board (Department of Safety and Professional Services) for a reciprocal license; you will not repeat the full exam or education.

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Verdict

Full reciprocity

Wisconsin recognizes substantial equivalency, so your Michigan CPA license clears the bar on its own — the Wisconsin Accounting Examining Board (Department of Safety and Professional Services) cares that you are a CPA in good standing, not that your license came from Michigan. What remains is Wisconsin-side: verification through CPAverify.org, the reciprocal application and fee, a background check, and any Wisconsin ethics or rules-of-conduct exam. Do the mobility math first, though — if Wisconsin is not becoming your principal place of business, practice privilege may let you work there without this application at all.

What changes, Michigan → Wisconsin

Side-by-side: Michigan vs Wisconsin (CPA / Accounting), verified 2026-07-21
Michigan (current)Wisconsin (destination)
Training hours150150
Application feeMichigan 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)$43 (CPA credential (license) application fee via DSPS LicensE; the Wisconsin ethics exam carries a separate $75 fee)
Processing timeLARA does not publish a processing time for the CPA reciprocity applicationthe Accounting Examining Board / DSPS does not publish a processing time for reciprocity/endorsement applications
Licensing authorityMichigan Board of Accountancy (Dept. of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Bureau of Professional Licensing)Wisconsin Accounting Examining Board (Department of Safety and Professional Services)

The destination column is what you must satisfy — Wisconsin sets the rules for this move.

Step by step

  1. Confirm Wisconsin's current requirements on the Wisconsin Accounting Examining Board (Department of Safety and Professional Services) website (linked below) — rules change.
  2. Submit the endorsement application to the Wisconsin Accounting Examining Board (Department of Safety and Professional Services) (application linked below).
  3. Arrange license verification from your current state via the verification system.
  4. Hold a valid CPA certificate/license from another state whose qualifications are substantially equivalent (verified by NASBA NQAS).
  5. Pass the Wisconsin ethics examination on state statutes and administrative rules.
  6. Submit verification of examination/education (transfer-of-scores or endorsement).
  7. Pay the credential fee through the DSPS LicensE system.
  8. Pay the fees ($43 (CPA credential (license) application fee via DSPS LicensE; the Wisconsin ethics exam carries a separate $75 fee)) and allow the Accounting Examining Board / DSPS does not publish a processing time for reciprocity/endorsement applications.

Official links

Wisconsin Accounting Examining Board (Department of Safety and Professional Services) ↗Wisconsin application ↗License verification ↗

Related guides

Reverse: Wisconsin → MichiganCPA / Accounting in MichiganCPA / Accounting in WisconsinAll cpa / accounting states

Frequently asked questions

Does Wisconsin accept a Michigan CPA license?

Yes — Wisconsin recognizes CPA licenses from all states, including Michigan. Apply to the Wisconsin Accounting Examining Board (Department of Safety and Professional Services) for a reciprocal license; you will not repeat the full exam or education.

Do I retake the CPA Exam moving from Michigan to Wisconsin?

No — the Uniform CPA Exam transfers with your license. The Uniform CPA Examination is never retaken; passage is verified through the applicant's existing certificate/license (score or license verification, Form 131; national lookup at CPAverify.org). Wisconsin additionally requires passing the Wisconsin ethics examination — 50 questions on the Wisconsin statutes and administrative code governing the profession..

Do I need a Wisconsin license, or does mobility cover the move?

If Wisconsin becomes your principal place of business, you apply to the Wisconsin Accounting Examining Board (Department of Safety and Professional Services) for a reciprocal license. If you are only serving Wisconsin clients from Michigan, practice privilege usually covers you with no Wisconsin license, notice, or fee.

What does the Michigan-to-Wisconsin move cost?

$43 (CPA credential (license) application fee via DSPS LicensE; the Wisconsin ethics exam carries a separate $75 fee) (CPA credential (license) application fee via DSPS LicensE; the Wisconsin ethics exam carries a separate $75 fee).

Can I keep my Michigan CPA license after licensing in Wisconsin?

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.

Reviewed by Billy Reiner, Editor · verified against primary sources 2026-07-21

How we verify · All sources · spot an error? [email protected]