Rules & Certification Frequently Asked Questions
Certificate renewal
I am applying for my initial certificate. How does the new renewal cycle affect me?
Your initial CPA certificate will be good through the following December 31 of that year, at which time it will expire and you will need to renew. Following this renewal, you will be placed in the correct three-year renewal cycle, based on the first letter of your last name. Depending on where you fall in the renewal cycle, this certificate will be good for either 1, 2, or 3 years.
What if I miss the Dec. 31 deadline?
Missing this deadline means you are out of compliance with the BOA. It’s as simple as that. Holding yourself out as a CPA when you haven’t properly renewed puts both yourself and your firm at a huge liability risk. At the very least, you will be subject to BOA fines once you do get around to renewing.
What happens if my last name changes?
The BOA should be contacted in writing within 30 days of a legal name change. Upon renewal, based on your former name, you would renew for the number of years (one, two or three) that it takes to put you in the proper renewal cycle for your new last name.
What is a certificate status?
All CPA certificates, which are issued by the Minnesota Board of Accountancy (BOA), have a status. Your certificate status is based on the type of certificate you hold. The two most common status types are active and inactive. Which status you choose determines how you can use the credential.
Active: Holding an active certificate requires a CPA to maintain 120 hours of CPE over a rolling three-year period. Active CPAs are allowed to use the credential without restriction. Plan to renew an active certificate every three years based on the BOA’s three-year renewal cycle.
Inactive: Those holding an inactive certificate do not have a CPE requirement, although they must still renew their certificate based on the BOA’s three-year renewal cycle. Use of the credential must be followed by ‘inactive’ as a modifier. Example: Jane Doe, CPA (inactive)
Revoked: A certificate is revoked by the BOA after a CPA fails to renew for more than two years.
How do I know what my certificate status is?
CPA certificate information is public knowledge and can be found on the
Minnesota Board of Accountancy’s (BOA) website. Conducting a search will tell you a CPA’s certificate number, status, license date, and when their certificate expires.
Active vs. inactive certificates
How can I change my certificate status?
Inactive to active:
You can go from an inactive to active certificate at any time during the calendar year, provided you have taken 120 CPE hours over the past three years. You will also need to submit a CPE Reporting Form as well as the fees associated with your status change.
Active to inactive:
According to 1105.2550E, a CPA must provide written notification to the BOA should they choose to go from active to inactive status. The change will then go into effect the following Jan. 1. Included with your written notification, you will need to provide documentation showing that you have the minimum of 120 hours of CPE for the three preceding years ended June 30, with a minimum of 20 CPE hours taken each year. Note that you will not be refunded fees for the remainder of your renewal cycle that were already paid to BOA. You will also be required to pay additional fees to change to the new certificate status as well as a state licensing surcharge.
I work in industry and prepare a few tax returns each year to earn a little extra income. Do I need an active CPA certificate?
You will need an active certificate if you meet any of the situations described in Minnesota Rules 1105.2500 (c) (5). Those situations are:
- If you are an employee of a firm granted a CPA firm permit under Minnesota Statutes, section 326A.05.
- If you issue compilation reports other than through a CPA firm.
- If you use the titles certified public accountant or CPA without “inactive” adjacent to the title.
- If you are an employee of the Office of the Legislative Auditor or State Auditor.
View details comparing active and inactive certificate status.
Why did I not receive a license card for my inactive Minnesota CPA certificate?
The Minnesota Board of Accountancy (BOA) no longer issues paper license cards to inactive certificate holders. The reasons for discontinuing the cards are cost savings and public safety. The license card is not proof of licensure. Wallet cards can be lost or stolen and increase the possibility of fraud. In addition, the card carries an assumption that the holder's license status is current as indicated on the card. In reality the information on the card is only as current as the day it was printed. The certificate holders' license may be suspended, revoked or have other discipline imposed upon it that the paper card does not reflect.
Verification of licensure must be obtained from the BOA's website. This change will increase public safety by persuading interested parties to use the
BOA's online verification system.
CPE reporting and record keeping
When do I report my CPE hours to the Board of Accountancy?
CPE hours for the three-year period ended on June 30th are reported to the Board once a year based on where you fall in the
Board's three-year renewal cycle. For those renewing their CPA certificate by December 31, they will report their CPE when they renew their certificate. For non-renewal years, individuals will report their CPE by July 31.
How do I report my required CPE hours to the Board of Accountancy?
For those with an active certificate, the
Minnesota Board of Accountancy requires that you fill out a
form each year listing all CPE credits for the past three years (ending June 30), including ethics credits. You will report your CPE either by December 31 or July 31 of each year, depending on where you fall in the Board of Accountancy’s
three-year certificate renewal cycle.
What documentation do I need to retain for CPE courses attended?
If you attend a course from a sponsor on the Minnesota Board of Accountancy (BOA) approved list, you must retain the Certificate of Attendance. The BOA accepts the Minnesota Society of CPAs transcript as official documentation.
If you attend a course from a sponsor NOT on the BOA approved list, you must retain the following:
- Certificate of attendance from the program sponsor containing the following:
- Name and contact information of the sponsor
- Title and description of the course content
- Date and location of the course
- Number of CPE hours earned
- Copy of the detailed timed course agenda
- Biography of the program developer and program presenter
- Statement written by you describing how the program contributes to your professional knowledge and competence
CPE records and supporting documentation
Do I need to submit any documentation (i.e. transcripts, certificates of attendance, etc.) when I report my CPE?
No, you only need to submit supporting documentation if you’re selected for an audit.
If July 31 falls on a Saturday or Sunday, what happens?
If a due date falls on a weekend, the due date is extended to the next business day.
What happens if I don’t report my CPE by July 31?
Even if you have the required CPE hours, failure to report by July 31 is a violation of 1105.3000 (G) and is cause for possible disciplinary action. You will also be required to pay a fee for failure to report. Individuals reporting after the deadline will not be allowed to submit hours online. Submission must come in the form of written notification of CPE compliance (a paper CPE reporting form) to the BOA, along with a check for payment of the appropriate CPE non-compliance fees.
My last name has changed. How do I know when to report?
The BOA should be contacted in writing within 30 days of a legal name change. Then, based on your former name, you would renew for the number of years (one, two or three) that it takes to put you in the proper renewal cycle for your new last name.
If I hold an inactive certificate, do I need to report CPE?
No, but you do need to continue to renew your inactive certificate according to the BOA renewal schedule.