Requirements

Minnesota CPA Exam Requirements (2026)

Minnesota requires 150 semester hours and one year of experience. The Minnesota Board of Accountancy manages the licensing process and uses a triennial CPE cycle.

Quick answer

Minnesota requires 150 semester hours, 1 year of experience, and passing all 4 CPA exam sections. Overseen by the Minnesota Board of Accountancy.

150 hrs

Education

semester hours

1 yr

Experience

either

$75

Application Fee

state board

120 hrs

CPE

triennial

Licensing Timeline

Steps to CPA License in Minnesota

1. Complete Education Requirements

Earn 150 semester hours with at least 24 hours of accounting coursework.

2. Apply for the CPA Exam

Apply through NASBA and the Minnesota Board of Accountancy.

3. Schedule and Pass the CPA Exam

Pass all four sections within 30 months.

4. Gain Professional Experience

Complete one year of supervised accounting experience.

5. Complete Ethics Requirements

Pass the AICPA Professional Ethics exam.

6. Apply for Your CPA License

Submit your license application to the Minnesota board.

Fee Breakdown

Fee estimates for Minnesota — verify current amounts at Minnesota Board of Accountancy
Fee TypeAmount
State Application Fee$75
Exam Fee (per section)$238
Total Exam Fees (4 sections)$952
Estimated Total (exam only)$1027

Your Minnesota CPA Checklist

0/6 complete
1. Complete Education Requirements

Earn 150 semester hours with at least 24 hours of accounting coursework.

2. Apply for the CPA Exam
3. Schedule and Pass the CPA Exam
4. Gain Professional Experience
5. Complete Ethics Requirements
6. Apply for Your CPA License

What makes Minnesota unique

  • Minnesota uses a triennial CPE cycle requiring 120 hours over three years.
  • No minimum age or residency requirement for CPA candidates.
  • The state has a strong corporate presence in the Twin Cities metro area.

Education Requirements

Minnesota requires 150 semester hours from an accredited institution, including 24 semester hours of accounting. The University of Minnesota is among the top accounting programs in the Midwest. By focusing on consistent, high-yield study habits and leveraging multi-dimensional diagnostics, you can systematically dismantle your exam anxieties. Committing to a daily pattern of active retrieval and careful error logging transforms how you study, driving your score steadily toward a passing result.

Accounting coursework must include financial accounting, auditing, taxation, and management accounting. This ensures that you do not waste precious hours re-watching identical lecture modules or re-reading long textbook chapters that you have already comprehended. Instead, our analytics pinpoint the exact wording tricks and cognitive patterns that cause incorrect answers under exam conditions, maximizing the value of your existing firm-sponsored curriculum. Each core and discipline section of the exam features its own unique testing style, specific cognitive demands, and Blueprint weightings. Adapting your study strategies to match these section-specific differences ensures that you do not waste effort on irrelevant details or miss high-yield concepts.

CPA Exam and Experience

Minnesota candidates apply through NASBA and test at Prometric centers in the Twin Cities area and elsewhere. The exam follows the national format. By focusing on consistent, high-yield study habits and leveraging multi-dimensional diagnostics, you can systematically dismantle your exam anxieties. Committing to a daily pattern of active retrieval and careful error logging transforms how you study, driving your score steadily toward a passing result.

One year of accounting experience under CPA supervision is required. Minneapolis-St. Paul's large corporate sector offers diverse experience opportunities.

Fees and Costs

Minnesota's application fee is approximately $75. Total first-attempt costs are about $1,028. Many major public accounting firms and corporate employers maintain discretionary professional development funds that can be applied to targeted practice supplements. Presenting a clear, analytics-backed progress report to your learning manager can help justify the expense and secure firm-level sponsorship.

Additional costs include license application fees, CPE expenses, and triennial renewal fees. Many major public accounting firms and corporate employers maintain discretionary professional development funds that can be applied to targeted practice supplements. Presenting a clear, analytics-backed progress report to your learning manager can help justify the expense and secure firm-level sponsorship.

Continuing Professional Education

Minnesota CPAs must complete 120 hours of CPE every three years (triennial cycle), averaging 40 hours per year. At least 4 hours must be in ethics. By focusing on consistent, high-yield study habits and leveraging multi-dimensional diagnostics, you can systematically dismantle your exam anxieties. Committing to a daily pattern of active retrieval and careful error logging transforms how you study, driving your score steadily toward a passing result.

The triennial cycle offers flexibility in timing. The Minnesota Society of CPAs provides extensive CPE opportunities. By focusing on consistent, high-yield study habits and leveraging multi-dimensional diagnostics, you can systematically dismantle your exam anxieties. Committing to a daily pattern of active retrieval and careful error logging transforms how you study, driving your score steadily toward a passing result.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I sit for the CPA exam with 120 hours in Minnesota?
Yes. Minnesota allows sitting with 120 hours, but 150 are needed for licensure.
What is Minnesota's CPE cycle?
Minnesota uses a triennial (three-year) cycle requiring 120 hours of CPE, including 4 hours of ethics.
What experience does Minnesota require?
Minnesota requires one year of accounting experience under CPA supervision.