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CPA License Cost in Illinois 2026: $1,176 Fees, $80K Salary

Getting a CPA license in Illinois costs $1,176 upfront. At state-adjusted salaries, that pays back in 0.6 months.

CPA License in Illinois — Key Numbers

$1,176
Upfront Cost
$80K
Median Salary (Licensed)
$120
Renewal (every 1 yr)
0.6 mo
Payback Period

Salary data: BLS OEWS 2024 state estimates. Fees: state licensing board schedules.

CPA License Cost Breakdown — Illinois

Exam fee $976
Application fee $100
Initial license fee $100
Total upfront $1,176
Renewal fee (every 1 yr) $120
CE hours required per cycle 40 hours
Salary without license (Illinois) $56,100/yr
Salary with license (Illinois) $79,560/yr
5-year net ROI $116K

Licensing body: Illinois Board of Accountancy. Verify current fees before applying — schedules change.

CPA License in Illinois — What to Know

Illinois has one of the strongest CPA markets in the country. Public accounting, financial services, and corporate finance teams require or strongly prefer the CPA for senior roles. The $80K median reflects Illinois's above-average financial sector wages. The 150 credit-hour requirement applies in Illinois — most candidates complete 30 hours beyond a bachelor's degree before applying. The four CPA exam sections ($244 each) plus a review course ($1,500–$3,000) are the major cost; state fees are secondary. Most Illinois employers in public accounting cover exam fees at hire.

Payback Calculator

Other License Costs in Illinois

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← All states: CPA License Costs
All certifications in Illinois · Payback period by state
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