Are you looking to become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Minnesota? Great! Minnesota is one of the most accommodating states regarding CPA requirements. Additionally, becoming a CPA in Minnesota will open up opportunities for you globally and pave the way for a promising career. However, there are state-specific exam and license requirements that you must fulfill to obtain the CPA license in Minnesota. Keep reading to learn more about these requirements.
Minnesota CPA Requirements
To secure your Minnesota CPA license, fulfill requirements by passing all exam sections, meeting educational and experience criteria, and completing the ethics exam.
| Social Security Requirement | Yes |
| Age, Citizenship, and Residency Requirements |
|
| Good Moral Character | Yes |
| Education Requirements for Licensure | *Varies based on pathway; see below |
| Exam Passing Requirements | Score a minimum of 75 in each section |
| Work Experience | *Varies based on pathway; see below |
| Ethics Exam Requirements | Must pass the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants’ (AICPA®) Professional Ethics course with a minimum score of 90. |
| International CPA Examination Program | Minnesota participates in the International CPA Exam Program. |
*Legislative Update: SF3045 (Effective Jan. 1, 2026)
Effective Jan. 1, 2026, Minnesota began offering an alternative pathway to licensure.
Educational Requirements
The Minnesota Board of Accountancy has established specific educational and semester-hour requirements for candidates taking the CPA Exam and applying for CPA licensure. Candidates have a few paths to consider, depending on their degree level
- Earn a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
or
- Earn a master’s degree from an accredited college or university.
Work Experience Requirements
Minnesota’s work experience requirement depends on the education option you choose:
- If you qualify with a bachelor’s degree, you must complete 2 years of work experience.
- If you qualify with a master’s degree or have completed 150 semester hours, you only need 1 year of work experience.
Minnesota CPA Exam & Licensing: Cost and Fees
Becoming a CPA is an investment in the future. In Minnesota, the education evaluation application fee for the CPA Exam is $96, and the CPA exam application fee is also $96. In addition, the fee for each exam section is $262.64. After candidates meet all CPA licensure requirements, the Minnesota Board of Accountancy issues the initial CPA license for a fee of $150.
| Minnesota CPA Exam Fees | |
|---|---|
| Education Evaluation Fee | $96 |
| Exam Application Fee | $96 |
| Auditing and Attestation (AUD) | $262.64 |
| Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR) | $262.64 |
| Regulation (REG) | $262.64 |
| ISC/BAR/TCP | $262.64 |
| Total: | $1,242.56 |
Pass the 3 core sections, AUD, FAR, and REG, and 1 discipline section: Information Systems and Controls (ISC), Business Analysis and Reporting (BAR), or Tax Compliance and Planning (TCP).
Minnesota CPA License Renewal Requirements
All CPA license holders must renew their licenses annually before Dec. 31, regardless of when the certificate was issued. The renewal fee for active CPA licenses is $100, and $25 for inactive CPA licenses.
To qualify for license renewal, you must meet the Continuing Professional Education (CPE) requirements for the year, which differ based on when you were issued your license.
- Licensed Between Jan. 1–June 30: In this case, your first CPE cycle starts on July 1, and you will need a minimum of 20 CPE credits by June 30 of the following year.
- Licensed Between July 1–Dec. 31: In this case, your first CPE cycle starts on July 1 of the following year, and you will need a minimum of 20 CPE credits by June 30 (of the next year).
Minnesota CPA Continuing Education Requirements
Continuing Professional Education is a means to ensure that CPA license holders are proficient in the latest accounting practices. Minnesota CPA requirements mandate that license holders obtain 120 CPE credits per 3-year reporting period (with a minimum of 20 CPE credits per year). These credits must include 60 technical credits and 8 ethics credits.
Minnesota CPA Exam: Dates, Score Release, and Scheduling
Uncover essential information regarding the Minnesota CPA Exam dates and score release timelines to efficient scheduling strategies for your convenience.
Exam Dates & Score Release
The AICPA is responsible for announcing the testing windows and CPA Exam score release dates. We recommend referring to these dates when scheduling your exams to plan accordingly. Here is a brief, step-by-step guide to the application process.
Exam Section Scheduling
Commence your application process by creating an Okta account. It will grant you the access to CPA Portal. Opt for either “New candidate” or “Existing candidate” as applicable. You can choose accordingly. This portal facilitates the entire CPA Exam process, enabling you to manage details, make payments, and access documents such as payment receipts and Notice to Schedule (NTS).
Next, apply for an educational evaluation to determine eligibility for the Minnesota CPA Exam. Ensure that your educational transcripts are directly submitted from your institution to CPA Exam Services. For individuals who completed their education internationally, an evaluation from recognized services such as NIES and Educational Records Evaluation Service, Inc. (ERES) or Foreign Academic Credential Service, Inc. (FACS).
If eligible for the Minnesota CPA Exam, initiate the exam section application process, applying for 1 section per application. You’ll receive an NTS and a Candidate Exam Section ID (CES ID) on your portal homepage. Note that you’ll need a separate NTS for each subsequent exam section after completing that section’s application procedure.
Schedule your exam dates as soon as you receive the NTS by using the NTS number and CES ID on the Prometric website. To ensure a smooth process, choose a convenient date well in advance. Exam section status can be found on the home page of your CPA portal. Remember to bring a physical copy of your NTS to the test center on the day of the exam.
You only have 30 months to pass all the CPA Exam sections. You must score at least 75 in each section to pass.
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