CPA / Accounting License from Pennsylvania to Idaho: Does It Transfer? (2026)
Last verified: 2026-07-21 · source: Idaho State Board of Accountancy ↗
Yes — Idaho recognizes CPA licenses from all states, including Pennsylvania. Apply to the Idaho State Board of Accountancy for a reciprocal license; you will not repeat the full exam or education.
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Verdict
Full reciprocity
Idaho recognizes substantial equivalency, so your Pennsylvania CPA license clears the bar on its own — the Idaho State Board of Accountancy cares that you are a CPA in good standing, not that your license came from Pennsylvania. What remains is Idaho-side: verification through CPAverify.org, the reciprocal application and fee, a background check, and any Idaho ethics or rules-of-conduct exam. Do the mobility math first, though — if Idaho is not becoming your principal place of business, practice privilege may let you work there without this application at all.
What changes, Pennsylvania → Idaho
| Pennsylvania (current) | Idaho (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| Training hours | 150 | 150 |
| Application fee | $65 ($65 non-refundable initial-licensure application fee; biennial renewal is $100) | $295–$315 ($175 application fee + $120 active-license fee = $295; add $20 for an optional wall certificate ($315). An inactive or retired license is $100 (total $275).) |
| Processing time | The Pennsylvania State Board of Accountancy does not publish a processing time | The board states the application is processed as soon as it is received but publishes no specific timeframe. |
| Licensing authority | Pennsylvania State Board of Accountancy | Idaho State Board of Accountancy |
The destination column is what you must satisfy — Idaho sets the rules for this move.
Step by step
- Confirm Idaho's current requirements on the Idaho State Board of Accountancy website (linked below) — rules change.
- Submit the endorsement application to the Idaho State Board of Accountancy (application linked below).
- Arrange license verification from your current state via the verification system.
- Hold a CPA license in another jurisdiction and file the Application for License by Reciprocity / Transfer of Grades.
- Complete the AICPA Professional Ethics comprehensive course/exam (submit prior certificate if already taken).
- Applicants licensed 4+ of the last 10 years are exempt from transcripts, experience, interstate-exchange forms, and professional ethics.
- Select an active, inactive, or retired license status.
- Pay the fees ($295–$315 ($175 application fee + $120 active-license fee = $295; add $20 for an optional wall certificate ($315). An inactive or retired license is $100 (total $275).)) and allow The board states the application is processed as soon as it is received but publishes no specific timeframe..
Official links
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Does Idaho accept a Pennsylvania CPA license?
Yes — Idaho recognizes CPA licenses from all states, including Pennsylvania. Apply to the Idaho State Board of Accountancy for a reciprocal license; you will not repeat the full exam or education.
Do I retake the CPA Exam moving from Pennsylvania to Idaho?
No — the Uniform CPA Exam transfers with your license. The Uniform CPA Examination is not retaken; the existing license/grades are transferred (national lookup at CPAverify.org). Idaho requires passage of the AICPA Professional Ethics comprehensive exam, but reciprocal applicants licensed 4 or more of the past 10 years are exempt from submitting professional ethics (as well as transcripts, experience, and interstate-exchange forms)..
Do I need a Idaho license, or does mobility cover the move?
If Idaho becomes your principal place of business, you apply to the Idaho State Board of Accountancy for a reciprocal license. If you are only serving Idaho clients from Pennsylvania, practice privilege usually covers you with no Idaho license, notice, or fee.
What does the Pennsylvania-to-Idaho move cost?
$295–$315 ($175 application fee + $120 active-license fee = $295; add $20 for an optional wall certificate ($315). An inactive or retired license is $100 (total $275).) ($175 application fee + $120 active-license fee = $295; add $20 for an optional wall certificate ($315). An inactive or retired license is $100 (total $275).).
Can I keep my Pennsylvania CPA license after licensing in Idaho?
Yes — CPA licenses stack, and many CPAs hold more than one. Keep the Pennsylvania 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.
- Idaho State Board of Accountancy — Application for License by Reciprocity / Transfer of Grades (4-of-10-year waiver; AICPA ethics; $175 application + $120 active / $100 inactive-retired / $20 wall certificate) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- NASBA — Substantial Equivalency (UAA framework; all 55 US jurisdictions substantially equivalent) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Pennsylvania Department of State — CPA Licensure Requirements Snapshot (domestic reciprocity, Act 41 endorsement, $65 initial / $100 biennial renewal) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Pennsylvania State Board of Accountancy — Board Resources and Documents (CPA Domestic Reciprocity Application: $65 fee, 150 hours, 1 year experience within preceding 5 years, 80 CPE hours; 5-years-without-lapse track) ↗ (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]