Applying for Your Initial CPA Certificate
CPAs in Minnesota are certified through the state's Board of Accountancy. Before applying for your initial certificate, you will need to have fulfilled each of the requirements listed below.
Requirements to apply for certification
- Pass all four sections of CPA exam.
- Take the self-study ethics exam.
- Complete one year of work experience.
- Attain a minimum of a bachelor's degree in accounting, including meeting the 150 college credit hours requirement.
Remember, until you've applied and become certified by the Board of Accountancy, you can not hold yourself out as a CPA.
Ready to apply for your certificate?
The initial application for becoming a CPA is available on the Board of Accountancy's website. Download, complete and mail in the paper application to the Board of Accountancy to begin the certification process.
Apply for your certificate (BOA Web site, PDF)
How long is my initial certificate valid?
Your initial CPA certificate is valid through December 31 of the year of issue, at which time you will need to renew your certificate with the Board of Accountancy. The BOA requires CPAs to renew their certificates every three years based on the first letter of their last name. Depending on where you fall in the renewal cycle, you will be renewing your certificate for one, two or three years. In subsequent years you will renew for three years based on the three-year cycle determined by the BOA.
BOA renewal schedule
Understand the key deadlines for your first year of certification