Planning to become a CPA in Montana? Begin by learning about the specific CPA Exam and license requirements in Montana. Montana is experiencing fast growth in small and medium-sized firms, which is critical to the development of a healthy economy. As a result, being a CPA in Montana has a promising future. Let’s take a closer look at the requirements for taking the CPA Exam and obtaining a license.
Montana CPA Requirements
Montana (MT) relies on NASBA CPA Examination Services (CPAES), a division of the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA), to maintain the standard and uniformity. There are certain criteria that you must meet to apply for the CPA Exam and license. Review the requirements to get a sense of the process.
| Social Security Requirement | No |
| Age, Citizenship, and Residency Requirements |
|
| Education Requirements for Licensure | Bachelor’s degree* |
| Exam Passing Requirements | At least 75 in each section |
| Ethics Exam Requirements | Pass the AICPA’s professional ethics exam with a score of 90. |
| Work Experience | 2,000 hours* |
| International CPA Examination Program | Montana participates in the International CPA Exam Program. |
*Legislative Update: SB166 (Effective Jan. 1, 2026)
Effective Jan. 1, 2026, Montana began offering an alternative pathway to licensure.
To qualify for CPA licensure, you must successfully pass the Uniform CPA Examination and complete the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA®) comprehensive professional ethics for CPAs course, which is required to show your understanding of professional standards and ethical responsibilities.
Applicants must meet both of the following education requirements:
- Graduate from an accredited college or university with a baccalaureate degree.
- Meet the required accounting and business course credit hours as specified by board rule.
Work Experience Requirements
You must have 1 year (2,000 hours of actual work experience) of acceptable accounting and/or auditing experience. Experience gained in private, governmental, academic, or public accounting is acceptable. The board will only count your work experience if you provide enough documentation and proof to support it.
Montana CPA Exam & Licensing: Cost and Fees
The education evaluation application fee for the CPA Exam in Montana is $146, while the exam application fee is $96. Each exam section costs $262.64. Note that the CPA Exam application fee is non-refundable. If you retake a section, you must pay an additional $100 as a re-examination fee. Additionally, the initial CPA license application fee in Montana is $125. You can apply for your license online through NASBA.
| Montana CPA Exam Fees | ||
|---|---|---|
| Education Evaluation Fee | $146 | |
| Examination 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: | $1,292.56 | |
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).
Montana CPA License Renewal Requirements
CPAs in Montana must renew their credentials every 3 years. The cycle happens every 3 years, from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31.
Montana CPA Continuing Education Requirements
One of the most essential aspects of license renewal is submitting the Continuing Professional Education (CPE). At the time of renewal, all CPAs are required to submit their CPE report to the board. They must complete 120 hours of CPE, which must include at least 2 hours of an ethics course.
Montana CPA Exam: Exam Dates, Score Release, and Scheduling
Dive into the intricacies of the Montana CPA exam dates, score release timelines, and prudent scheduling strategies for your examination journey.
Exam Dates & Score Release
One of the most anticipated questions among CPA aspirants is the score release date. The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA®) announces the CPA Exam score release dates. The date your score is released is determined by when you take the exam. Scores are typically released within 48 hours of the target date.
Exam Section Scheduling
Here is a detailed guide on how to register and schedule for the CPA Exam.
Create an Okta account to get access to your CPA Portal, from where you can apply for the exam. This portal enables you to apply for the exam, manage your personal details, process payments, and access essential documents, including payment receipts and Notice to Schedule (NTS).
Now you can apply for an education evaluation through the same portal to confirm your eligibility for the Montana CPA Exam. Your education transcripts should be sent directly from your institution to CPAES. If your education is done outside of the United States, you can obtain an education evaluation from 1 of the following recognized services:
- NASBA International Evaluation Services (NIES)
- Foreign Academic Credential Service, Inc. (FACS)
- Educational Records Evaluation Service, Inc. (ERES)
Following the evaluation process, your CPA portal will confirm your eligibility for the exam. If eligible, proceed to apply for the exam section, noting that 1 section can be applied for per application. After applying for the CPA Exam, you’ll receive an NTS. Track your NTS status and expiration date on your homepage. You will also see your Candidate Exam Section ID (CES ID) on the same page. You will receive a separate NTS for each section after the application process concludes.
The CPA Exam can be scheduled through the Prometric website. Determine the venue and date of your examination in advance to minimize confusion at the last minute. If you are uncertain about the location of the testing center closest to you, a quick Internet search will help.
Passing the CPA Exam is the most important step toward earning your CPA license. To pass, you must achieve a score of 75 in each section.
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