South Dakota CPA Requirements
Exam and License Requirements to Become a CPA
Want to learn all about the CPA Exam?
Want to become a CPA in South Dakota? Find out everything you need to know about the South Dakota CPA requirements to become a license holder in the state. Below you’ll learn the CPA Exam and licensing requirements, as well as information on the cost and fees required to become a CPA in South Dakota.
Understanding South Dakota CPA Requirements
To get licensed and practice as an active CPA there, you'll need to meet some key requirements set by the South Dakota Board of Accountancy. All CPA candidates from South Dakota must fulfill specific requirements to qualify for CPA licensure and practice as active CPAs in the state. The South Dakota Board of Accountancy has put forth educational, experience, and ethics exam requirements. These prerequisites are made in close association with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). The requirements are comprehensive, but they exist to maintain high standards for CPA excellence in the state. As long as you check all the boxes, you'll be well on your way to earning your CPA license.
| Social Security Requirement | Yes |
| Age, Citizenship, and Residency Requirements |
|
| Good Moral Character | Yes |
| Education Requirements for Licensure | 150 hours (including B.A.) |
| Pass the Exam | Minimum 75 in each section |
| Ethics Exam Requirements | AICPA Ethics Exam |
| Work Experience | 1 year (2,000 hours) of experience |
| International CPA Examination Program | Participant |
Educational Requirements
To sit for the CPA Exam in South Dakota, candidates must complete a bachelor's degree or higher with 150 semester hours. Of the 150 hours:
- 24 hours must be in accounting, including elementary principles of accounting and one course in each of the following: intermediate or advanced accounting, auditing, taxation, and cost accounting.
- 24 hours in business courses other than accounting.
Students may sit for the exam up to 100 days before graduation. Note that the educational requirements for the CPA Exam are the same as those for licensure.
Work Experience Requirements
South Dakota requires CPA candidates to complete 2,000 hours of accounting experience in at least one year and at most three years. To perform attest functions, you must complete at least 375 hours in compilations, audits, or reviews in any combination. After gaining the experience, you must submit a Certificate of Experience form signed by a supervising CPA.
Ethical Exam Requirements
South Dakota CPA candidates must complete the ethics exam AICPA offers before the initial application for licensure. Professional Ethics: The AICPA's Comprehensive Course can be purchased through the AICPA website, and candidates must pass the exam with a minimum score of 90. The exam must be passed within 90 days of completing the experience requirement.
South Dakota CPA Exam & Licensing - Cost and Fees
South Dakota CPA candidates must pay a standard fee of $284.80 for each exam section applied, which includes the application processing fee of $30. The fee must be paid at the time of application and is non-refundable.
| South Dakota CPA Exam Fees | |
|---|---|
| Exam Section Fees | $1,139.20 |
| Total: | $1,139.20 |
*Pass the three core sections - AUD, FAR, and REG, and one discipline section - BAR/ISC/TCP
After passing the CPA Exam, obtaining work experience, and completing the ethics exam, candidates can apply for a South Dakota CPA license by submitting an online application on the state board website.
- Fee, if applied for licensure between August 1 - January 31: $50
- Fee, if applied for licensure between February 1 - July 31: $25
License Renewal Requirements
South Dakota CPA license holders must renew their licenses annually with a fee of $50, along with the online application available through the state board website. The licensees fulfill the Continuing Professional Education (CPE) requirements for the rolling period and produce the report accordingly.
Continuing Education Requirements
CPE is mandatory for all CPA license holders to qualify for license renewal. All licensees must have at least 120 CPE hours over three years, with a minimum of 20 CPE hours obtained annually. The reporting period is from July 1 to June 30 every year and must be submitted for annual license renewal.
South Dakota CPA Exam: Exam Dates, Score Release, and Scheduling
After satisfying the South Dakota CPA requirements, candidates can apply for the CPA Exam. However, they must know a few things, such as exam and score release dates and the application process. We’ve got you covered with a concise rundown of the details to ensure a smooth process.
Exam Dates and Score Release
Candidates can schedule the CPA Exam based on their preference as per the target CPA Exam and score release dates on the AICPA website. Note that continuous testing is temporarily discontinued for the CPA Exam to account for standard-setting analyses and activities.
Scheduling the CPA Examination
Each state has a slightly different application process. Hence, here's a quick guide to applying for and scheduling the South Dakota CPA Exam.
South Dakota CPA candidates apply for the CPA Exam by filling out an online application on the state board website. Ensure to provide all the necessary information and ask your university/college to directly send the transcripts to the NASBA and the state board. Lastly, pay the application fee for the exam based on the number of sections applied.
As a participant in the International CPA Examination Program, international candidates or those who’ve completed their education outside the United States can apply for the South Dakota CPA Exam.
After receiving your application, the state board will determine your eligibility for the CPA Exam. If eligible, the board will share a notification of eligibility in the form of an Authorization to Test (ATT), stating that you can sit for the CPA Exam as a South Dakotan candidate.
Subsequently, NASBA will share a Notice to Schedule (NTS) containing an NTS number. It is mandatory to carry the document to the Prometric testing center and ensure you have multiple copies.
The candidates can schedule the CPA Exam using Prometric. The portal will help you find the available dates and locations for the exam and help you schedule the exam based on your preference.
You must score 75 or higher on each section to pass the CPA Exam within 30 months. Make sure you have a study plan and the right prep materials that works for you.
