Help  |  Pay an Invoice  |  My Account  |  CPE Log  |  Log in

Education Requirements

Become a CPA in Minnesota

Taking the exam versus getting certified

Keep in mind that the education requirements to sit for the CPA exam are different from the requirements to apply for the CPA certificate.

Education requirements to take the CPA exam and earn the CPA certificate depend on the accreditation of the college or university where the degree was earned (see Rule 1105.1500, Rule 1105.2900, and Minnesota Statute 326A.03, sub. 3 and sub. 6, for more information).


National or Regional Accreditation

Definition: Your educational institution (a four-year degree-granting college or university) is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education.

Nationally or regionally accredited schools in Minnesota

To sit for the
CPA exam:

Bachelor's or higher degree that includes or is supplemented by at least 24 semester hours of accounting at the intermediate or advanced level*, including courses dedicated to each of the following subjects: financial accounting, auditing, taxation and management accounting.

*Intermediate or advanced level coursework includes courses taken beyond the introductory level.

To earn the
CPA certificate:

150 hours, which must include at least the following:

  • 24 semester hours of intermediate or advanced level accounting courses, including courses dedicated to each of the following subjects: financial accounting, auditing, taxation and management accounting.
  • 24 semester hours in undergraduate or graduate-level courses in business-related subjects or intermediate, advanced or graduate-level courses in accounting.

 


AACSB or ACBSP Accreditation

Business school or college of business
 

Definition: Your business school or college of business within the educational institution is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) or the Accreditation Council for Business Schools & Programs (ACBSP).

AACSB or ACBSP accredited schools in Minnesota

Requirements if you have a bachelor's degree:

To sit for the
CPA exam:

Bachelor's degree and completed at least 24 semester hours in accounting at the undergraduate or graduate level, including the following required courses: financial accounting, auditing, taxation and management accounting. An additional minimum of 24 semester hours in business-related or accounting courses at the undergraduate or graduate level are also required.

To earn the
CPA certificate:

150 hours. No specific courses required if you met the requirements to sit for the exam.

Requirements if you have a graduate degree:

To sit for the
CPA exam:

Graduate degree and completed at least 24 semester hours in accounting at the undergraduate level or 15 semester hours at the graduate level or an equivalent combination, including the following required courses: financial accounting, auditing, taxation and management accounting.

To earn the
CPA certificate:

150 hours. No specific courses are required if you met the requirements to sit for the exam.

 


AACSB or ACBSP Accreditation

Accounting program or department
 

Definition: Your accounting program or department within the educational institution is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) or the Accreditation Council for Business Schools & Programs (ACBSP).

AACSB or ACBSP accredited schools in Minnesota

To sit for the
CPA exam:

Graduate degree with a concentration in accounting.

To earn the
CPA certificate:

150 hours. No specific courses are required if you met the requirements to sit for the exam.

 


Note on internship credits

Up to six credits from internships can be counted toward the 48 required courses in accounting or business-related subjects. Additional internship hours over the six allowed within the accounting and business concentration can be applied toward the 150 hours (see Rule 1105.1400, sub.8).


Have questions?

The Minnesota Society of CPAs does not handle CPA exam applications or certification.

Contact the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) at 615-880-4200 to speak with the Minnesota Coordinator about questions regarding exam eligibility, specific college or university courses or other education requirement questions.

Contact the Minnesota Board of Accountancy at 651-296-7938 with questions regarding Minnesota education requirements or certification.