Are you planning to become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Missouri? If so, here’s our comprehensive guide on Missouri CPA requirements for the exam and licensure. We’ve simplified the process for you by breaking down the specifics on each requirement and walking you through the application process.
Understanding Missouri CPA Requirements
Obtaining the CPA designation requires you to pass the CPA Exam, gain accounting experience, and satisfy requirements such as social security number, age, residency, and citizenship, along with other prerequisites. The state legislation determines these requirements, and candidates must check on the same for updates.
| Requirements for CPA Licensure: | |
|---|---|
| Social Security | Yes |
| Age, Citizenship, and Residency |
|
| Good Moral Character | Yes |
| Education | 150 hours (including bachelor’s degree) |
| Exam Passing Score | Need to score 75 in each section to pass |
| Work Experience | 2,000 hours of experience |
| Ethics Exam | AICPA Ethics Exam |
| International CPA Examination Program | Participant |
Educational Requirements
To sit for the CPA Exam and apply for a CPA license in Missouri, candidates must satisfy the following education requirements:
- Candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution or university with an accounting major.
- To sit for the CPA Exam in Missouri, candidates must finish 120 semester hours in the following course subjects:
- 24 semester hours in accounting courses
- 24 semester hours in business-related courses
- Candidates must complete 150 semester hours to apply for their CPA license.
Work Experience Requirements
Work experience is essential to apply for a CPA license in Missouri. You must complete 2,000 hours of experience within a time range of 1 to 3 years. A licensed CPA must verify the experience gained in the following fields:
- Accounting
- Attestation
- Review
- Compilation
- Management Advisory
- Financial Advisory
- Budgeting or Auditing
Ethical Exam Requirements
In addition to passing the CPA Exam, you must also pass the board-sanctioned ethics exam. The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA®) offers a CD-ROM self-study ethics course that takes 11 hours to complete. It is an open-book exam with a passing score of 90.
Missouri CPA Exam & Licensing - Cost and Fees
The education evaluation fee for the CPA Exam in Missouri is $90, and the fee for each CPA Exam section is $359.64. Application and examination fees are mandatory for all first-time applicants.
| Missouri CPA Exam Fees | |
|---|---|
| Application of Intent | $90 |
| Exam Section Fees | $1,438.56* |
| Total: | $1,528.56 |
*Pass the 3 core sections — AUD, FAR, and REG, and 1 discipline section — BAR/ISC/TCP. Fees are subject to change.
The initial individual license to practice fee in Missouri costs around $90. Candidates can access the application on the state board's website. The renewal fee for the CPA license is $80.
License Renewal Requirements
Certified Public Accountants in Missouri are required to renew their licenses every 2 years. CPA licenses are issued for a licensing period beginning Oct. 1 and expiring Sept. 30. To qualify for renewal, CPAs must meet the continuing education requirements and adhere to the accounting standards set by the board. The renewal application is available on the state board website.
Continuing Education Requirements
The Missouri State Board of Accountancy requires licensees to adhere to the following Continuing Professional Education (CPE) guidelines:
- Licensees must complete and keep acceptable documentation of at least (40) hours of qualifying CPE each year they have a valid license.
- Of the required 40 hours, at least 2 must be in ethics.
- The grace period for submitting CPE reports starts on Jan. 1 and ends on March 1.
- The grace period is applicable when you cannot complete the required 40 hours of CPE from January to December. You can use the grace period from Jan. 1 to March 1 of the following year to finish the CPE requirement.
Note: Licensees must keep their proof of CPE for at least 5 years and provide it to the board if requested during a CPE audit.
Starting in 2022, selected licensees must show evidence of completing 40 hours of CPE each year, including at least 2 hours of ethics-related coursework.
Missouri CPA Exam: Exam Dates, Score Release, and Scheduling
Once you’ve met the CPA Exam requirements, the next step is to initiate your application process. Before that, you must check the exam and score release dates along with the application procedure for the Missouri CPA Exam. We’ve got you covered to navigate through these essential steps.
Exam Dates and Score Release
Missouri CPA candidates can check the CPA Exam and score release dates on the AICPA website and sit for the exam based on their preferred date.
Scheduling the CPA Examination
Each state has a slightly different application process. Here’s a quick guide to applying for and scheduling the Missouri CPA Exam.
Candidates can apply for the CPA Exam through the new CPA Portal by creating an Okta account. The portal will act as a single point of contact to access your CPA Exam status, eligibility, Notice to Schedule, and scores.
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 Missouri CPA Exam.
After creating an Okta account, you must submit an education evaluation application with all the required details and documentation to determine your eligibility to sit for the CPA Exam. If you’re an international student or completing your education outside the United States, your education should be evaluated by one of the following providers.
- National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) International Evaluation Services (NIES)
- Foreign Academic Credential Service, Inc. (FACS)
- Educational Records Evaluation Service, Inc. (ERES).
An Authorization to Test (ATT) is released upon confirmation of your eligibility to sit for the CPA Exam from Missouri. The next step is to submit an exam section application and pay the fee accordingly. Remember, you can only apply for one section at a time, and each exam section will have a separate Notice to Schedule (NTS) upon payment confirmation. Besides, a Candidate Exam Section ID (CES ID) is assigned for exam scheduling purposes.
Candidates must log in to the Prometric website and enter the NTS number and CES ID to schedule the CPA Exam. You can check for the nearest Prometric testing center for your convenience on the exam day. However, you must carry a physical copy of your NTS to the testing center on the exam day.
Passing the CPA Exam is the most important step toward earning your CPA license. You need to achieve a 75 in each section to pass.
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