The 150-Hour Rule, from 1886 to 1988, 102 Years in the Making: The Rise and Decline of the 150-Hour Rule in Accounting Education

ABSTRACT For over a century, leaders in the accounting profession have promoted education beyond a bachelor’s degree for aspiring CPAs—a movement that culminated in the adoption of the 150-hour rule. Yet by 2025, the AICPA and National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) revised the Uniform Accountancy Act to let jurisdictions drop this requirement, signaling a sharp reversal in support. This paper traces the evolution of the 150-hour rule from the founding of the American Association of Public Accountants (AAPA) in 1886 to the AICPA’s 1988 decision to mandate 150 college credit hours by 2000. It examines how the rule gained acceptance despite persistent concerns, drawing on key reports such as the Perry, Carnegie, Ford Foundation, “Horizons of a Profession,” Beamer, and Albers Reports. By exploring these historical debates, the paper offers insights into how professional education standards emerge, gain legitimacy, and ultimately erode when underlying challenges remain unresolved.