Yes. That might change, but the problem is that the current major trend is to hire fresh young regional CA's (and even FO's). If they don't drop the degree requirement fast enough, you might get passed over, and once you're a bitter old has-been regional CA it will be hard to get called, even with a degree.

Basically not getting the degree would be a risk, and would at least delay your career progression by 3-5 years, best guess, and that's only if things are going well in the industry.