In a major change coming to the world of accounting in Illinois; the Lawmakers in the state have unanimously passed a groundbreaking bill that will give future certified public accountants, or CPAs, a new way to earn their licenses — one that breaks from decades-old tradition. House Bill 2459, which passed the Illinois Senate with a 58–0 vote, now heads to Governor J.B. Pritzker’s desk for signature.
Once signed into law, the bill will take effect on January 1, 2027, giving regulators time to establish the necessary rules and systems. According to Martin Green of the Illinois CPA Society, that buffer period is intentional. “We wanted to do it right,” Green said, emphasizing that implementation will be methodical and deliberate.
So what is changing?
Under the new legislation, aspiring CPAs will no longer be limited to the traditional path requiring 150 college credit hours — a requirement critics say has become a costly and time-consuming barrier to entering the profession. Instead, candidates will be able to pursue licensure by completing a bachelor’s degree focused on accounting, gaining two years of relevant work experience, and passing the CPA exam.
Illinois joins a growing list of over 17 states — including Ohio, Iowa, Texas, and Virginia — that are updating their CPA licensure rules to address a nationwide shortage of accountants. The hope is that by creating more accessible, practical pathways into the profession, more students and career changers will be drawn into accounting careers.
The bill amends the Illinois Public Accounting Act and also allows other options to remain in place — such as earning a master’s degree in accounting with one year of experience, or the traditional 150-hour track. That flexibility is seen as key to maintaining the profession’s standards while addressing workforce needs.
Geoffrey Brown, President and CEO of the Illinois CPA Society, called the legislation “an important step in keeping Illinois’ CPAs at the forefront of the national business landscape.” He added that the move supports not only accountants but the broader economy — including businesses, nonprofits, and local governments.
But Green offered a word of caution for students eager to take advantage of the new rules. “It’s not retroactive, and there are no rules in place yet,” he said. Until formal guidelines are published, schools and students are urged to continue following current requirements.
We’ll continue monitoring how this change affects the accounting profession, both in Illinois and nationwide.
Reporting by Katy Moore.
