Missouri CPA Requirements
Exam and License Requirements To Become a CPA
Semester Units
Hours of Experience
Requirements
Exam Program
Semester Units
Hours of Experience
Requirements
Exam Program
Missouri CPA Requirements
The Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation is the most prominent accounting credential. State legislation determines the certification's minimum educational, examination, and experience criteria. A CPA license will be issued to an accounting professional upon completing all CPA Exam sections and the required years of supervised practice.
| Social Security Requirements | Yes |
| Age, Citizenship, and Residency Requirements |
|
| Good Moral Character | Yes |
| Education Requirement for Licensure | 150 hours (including B.A.) |
| Pass the Exam | Need to score 75 in each section to pass |
| Work Experience | 2,000 hours of experience |
| Ethics Exam Requirements | Yes |
| International CPA Examination Program | Yes |
Most states require a social security number for CPA license applications. To apply for a CPA license in Missouri, a Social Security number is required.
U.S. citizenship is not required to sit for the CPA Exam in Missouri; however, a candidate needs to be a resident, be an employee, or keep an office in Missouri in order to obtain their CPA license. The minimum age requirement for the CPA license is 21.
In order 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.
- In order to sit for the CPA Exam in Missouri, candidates must finish 120 semester hours in the following course subjects:
- 48 semester hours in accounting and associated subjects
- 24 semester hours in accounting, including at least one auditing course
- 24 semester hours must be advanced accounting courses
- 27 semester (40 quarter) hours must be in accounting or other business administration disciplines
- Candidates must complete a total of 150 semester hours on or before June 30 to apply for their CPA license.
There are four sections of the CPA Exam: Auditing and Attestation (AUD), Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR), Regulation (REG), and Business Environment and Concepts (BEC). Candidates are required to score a minimum of 75 to pass each section.
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. Experience must be verified by a licensed CPA. Work experience may include the following fields:
- Accounting
- Attestation
- Review
- Compilation
- Management Advisory
- Financial Advisory
- Budgeting or Auditing
In addition to passing the CPA Exam, candidates 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.
The National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) has an International CPA Examination Program to pave the way for international candidates. All non-U.S. candidates seeking to take the CPA Exam can apply through any participating jurisdiction. Missouri is an active participant in this program.
Missouri CPA Exam & Licensing - Cost and Fees
The initial application fee for the CPA Exam in Missouri is $180, and the registration cost is $100. Application and examination fees are mandatory for all first-time applicants. Additionally, the cost to take each section of the CPA Exam is $238.15 per section. Candidates re-registering for an exam must pay both the registration and exam fee at the time of registration.
| Missouri CPA Exam Fees | ||
|---|---|---|
| Initial Application Fee | $280.00 | |
| Auditing and Attestation (AUD) | $238.15 | |
| Business Environment and Concepts (BEC) | $238.15 | |
| Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR) | $238.15 | |
| Regulation (REG) | $238.15 | |
| Total | $1,232.60 | |
In Missouri, the initial individual license to practice fee costs around $90.00. The renewal fee for an individual license to practice is approximately $80.00.
Missouri CPA License Renewal Requirements
Certified Public Accountants in Missouri are required to renew their license every three years between October 1 and September 30.
Missouri CPA Continuing Education Requirements
The Missouri State Board of Accountancy changed the state’s Continuing Professional Education (CPE) requirements on January 1, 2020. Here are the most up-to-date guidelines:
- Licensees must complete and keep acceptable documentation of at least forty (40) hours of qualifying CPE for each year they have a valid license.
- Of the required 40 hours, at least 2 hours need to be in ethics.
- The grace period for submitting CPE reports starts on January 1 and ends on March 1.
- This grace period is applicable when you cannot complete the required 40 hours of CPE from January to December. You can use the grace period the following year, from January 1 to March 1, to finish the CPE requirement.
Things to keep in mind when using the grace period for CPE:
- The licensee must be in good standing.
- A written application must be sent to the board by the licensee (find the form here).
- CPE earned and used during the grace period can only be used once. If you used it the previous year, you can't use it again in the year you earned it.
Note: Licensees must keep their proof of CPE for a minimum of five years and provide it to the board if requested during a CPE audit. Starting in 2022, selected licensees must show proof 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
CPA Examination Services (CPAES), a NASBA sub-division, administers the CPA Exam. It is held year-round, allowing candidates to sit for the exam based on their preferences. However, check the target exam dates and CPA Exam score release dates updated biennially by the AICPA. The scores are accessible within 48 hours of the target score release date.
Let us go through the application process to apply for the CPA Exam from Missouri.
Submit CPA Exam Application and Fees
Candidates can apply for the CPA Exam through NASBA’s website. You can get exam-related information on the Missouri State Board’s website, as well. You will need to submit your transcripts directly from your school/university to CPA Examination Services.
Obtain Authorization to Test (ATT)
Once you are done with the application procedure, your board will send an Authorization to Test (ATT) to the National Candidate Database. Your ATT is crucial for issuing your Notice to Schedule (NTS).
Receive Your Notice to Schedule (NTS)
You should receive your NTS within three to six weeks of applying for the CPA Exam. A NTS is necessary to sit for the CPA Exam. Furthermore, you will need your NTS to schedule your CPA Exam sections through the Prometric website.
Schedule Your Exam with Prometric
Upon receiving your NTS, your next move is to schedule the CPA Exam. Please visit the Prometric website to do so. All you need is the name of your testing center and your NTS number. If you have any issues finding your testing center, searching online will help.
Pass the CPA Exam
As previously stated, passing the CPA Exam is the most important step toward obtaining a CPA license. You need to achieve a 75 in each section to pass. Also, remember that you must complete all four sections within an 18-month period.