Wisconsin offers the following types of accounting licenses and privileges. Click on the tabs above to learn more about the requirements and procedures for each type of license.

Certified Public Accountant License. Applicants who have passed the Uniform CPA Examination for the state of Wisconsin or any other jurisdiction and are not licensed to practice public accounting in any jurisdiction may apply for an Initial Certified Public Accountant License in Wisconsin.

NOTE: Wisconsin offers military benefits related to licensure for eligible veterans, service members and spouses.

Click Initial Licensure in the menu bar at the top of this page for additional information.

License by Endorsement. Applicants having a valid and unrevoked license to practice as a CPA from any jurisdiction and planning to relocate to Wisconsin must apply for a License by Endorsement.

Temporary Spousal Reciprocal License: Wis. Stat. § 440.09 provides the spouse of a service member the opportunity to apply for a temporary CPA license, if the spouse already holds a CPA license issued by another state that qualifies the individual to perform public accounting and is residing temporarily in Wisconsin as a result of the spouse's military service.

NOTE: Wisconsin offers military benefits related to licensure for eligible veterans, service members and spouses.

Click Reciprocal Licensure in the menu bar at the top of this page for additional information.

New statutory language for WISCONSIN is now effective as of April 2, 2026.

NASBA is working with the Wisconsin Accounting Examining Board to update this page. Please check back soon.

Initial Accounting Firm License. Any firm or office thereof established or maintained for the practice of public accounting in the State of Wisconsin must obtain a firm license from the Wisconsin Accounting Examining Board. In addition to the license offered by the Wisconsin Accounting Examining Board, corporations and certain other types of business entities must also register with the Department of Financial Institutions. Applicant must contact the Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) directly at (608) 261-7577 or DFICorporations@dfi.wisconsin.gov to obtain the registration material.

A person practicing as a sole proprietor in his or her own name shall register as an individual and shall also obtain a firm license. In Wisconsin, in order to conduct an audit, even a sole proprietor must have a firm license. To obtain a firm license, at least one (1) CPA in the firm must have a Wisconsin license. If the firm is validly licensed in Wisconsin, any CPA from that firm may supervise or conduct audits in Wisconsin if they qualify under the practice privilege statute.

Click Firm Registration in the menu bar at the top of this page for additional information.

License Relinquishment: Any individual CPA licensed in Wisconsin who no longer wishes to hold the license to practice may voluntarily relinquish their CPA license to the Wisconsin Accounting Examining Board.

Click Relinquish a License in the menu bar at the top of this page for additional information.