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 Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| 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 completeEarn 150 semester hours with at least 24 hours of accounting coursework.
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.
Start practicing for the Minnesota CPA exam
CPAPass targets your weak areas so you can pass faster. Start with 10 free questions a day.
Start Practicing FreeFrequently 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.