Mississippi CPA Requirements (2026): Exam and License
Mississippi exam entry, license pathways, coursework, and fees, with researched changes for your 2027 plan.
Checkpoint 1
Can I take the exam?
120 + 48
Mississippi’s exam gate uses a qualifying bachelor’s degree and 120 credits, including a 48-credit upper-level accounting/business concentration with at least 24 accounting credits.
Check exam entryCheckpoint 2
Can I obtain the license?
Mississippi’s three education and experience pathways became effective July 1, 2026.
Degree, concentration, qualifying experience, and any additional application conditions must be checked together.
Review license choicesPermission to sit
Mississippi CPA Exam eligibility
Mississippi’s exam gate uses a qualifying bachelor’s degree and 120 credits, including a 48-credit upper-level accounting/business concentration with at least 24 accounting credits.
- The accounting requirement includes specified subjects, not just a total.
- Keep current exam requirements distinct from the proposed Chapter 2 course amendment.
Map your transcript
Mississippi accounting and business coursework
Read each row as a separate checkpoint. Course level, required subjects, degree status, and exceptions can matter as much as the total. The board or designated evaluator determines which courses qualify.
| Checkpoint | Accounting | Business / related subjects | Degree and other conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Current exam | At least 24 upper-level credits with required subjects | Within a 48-credit upper-level accounting/business concentration | Qualifying degree and 120 credits |
| Proposed amendment | Not treated as a final replacement | Not treated as a final replacement | Confirm final Chapter 2 adoption before using a new grid |
Collect the evidence
Degree award, official transcript, course descriptions, and any required evaluation.
Map accepted subjects
Separate accounting, business, ethics, and other required subjects without assuming overlap.
Resolve the exact gap
Ask about the disputed course or condition before paying for another class or application.
Education plus experience
Mississippi CPA license pathways
Mississippi’s three education and experience pathways became effective July 1, 2026.
| Route / availability | Education | Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Postgraduate route | Qualifying postgraduate education | 1 year |
| Additional-30 route | Qualifying bachelor’s degree plus 30 credits | 1 year |
| Bachelor’s route | Qualifying bachelor’s degree | 2 years |
- The board’s exam and license instructions retain state-connection and background requirements.
- The licensing application period is tied to completion of the exam; preserve the board’s three-year deadline.
Dates that affect your decision
Planning for Mississippi CPA requirements in 2027
Use the July licensing paths for 2027 planning while keeping any unadopted course amendment clearly separate.
July 1, 2026
EffectiveNew license paths
The current pathway announcement supports the three degree and experience combinations.
Chapter 2 rulemaking
Confirmation neededCourse amendment status
The reviewed proposal was not established as a final effective replacement for current course requirements.
Worked planning example
48 credits without the required accounting subjects
Illustrative candidate scenario, not an eligibility determination.
Starting point
Your upper-level accounting/business total reaches 48, but a required accounting subject is missing.
What the rules mean
The aggregate concentration does not replace subject-level requirements or the accounting minimum.
Next action
Resolve the missing subject using current rules, then confirm the application records and background requirements.
From education to an appointment
How to apply and prepare in Mississippi
The application workflow below retains its 2026-08-24 procedural review. The September research above updates exam and licensing facts; confirm current forms and charges before submitting.
Why this Mississippi guide exists
Help a Mississippi candidate verify residence, identity, degree, and upper-level coursework before paying the Board.
Purpose evidence
Mississippi Board licensing and examsMississippi State Board rulesMississippi CPA Exam application instructionsA documented apply-now or resolve-first decision plus the correct Mississippi Board, CPA Portal, NTS, and Prometric sequence.
Official evidence for this route
Mississippi Board licensing and examsMississippi CPA Exam application instructionsNASBA Mississippi CPA Exam processWhat to have ready
Mississippi residence evidence, Social Security number, and current identification
Degree transcript with the required upper-level accounting and business courses identified
Mississippi Board application file and current payment requirements
Board jurisdiction ID, selected sections, and NTS deadline when issued
- 1
Verify Mississippi residence, identity, and the complete transcript grid.
- 2
Follow the Mississippi Board, CPA Portal, NTS, and Prometric sequence.
- 3
Keep exam entry separate from the licensing pathways effective July 1, 2026.
Actionable candidate plan
Verify, apply, and move from approval to scheduling
Application owner: Mississippi State Board of Public Accountancy. The Mississippi Board receives the first-time exam application, decides eligibility, and sends the jurisdiction ID used to continue in the CPA Portal.
- 1
Verify the personal gates
Confirm Mississippi residence, Social Security number availability, and the Board's good-moral-character requirement.
- 2
Map the transcript
Check the bachelor's degree, 120 total hours, 48-hour concentration, 24 upper-level accounting hours, and required accounting subjects.
- 3
Apply to the Mississippi Board
Submit the first-time application, required documents, and $150 state fee using the Board's current instructions.
- 4
Continue as an Existing Candidate
After the Board emails the jurisdiction ID, enroll as an Existing Candidate in the CPA Portal and pay the official payment coupon.
- 5
Retrieve the NTS and schedule
Allow the stated four business days for NTS delivery, check the six-month deadline, and schedule the approved section with Prometric.
Candidate decision
Plan X if your path is clear, Plan Y if one gate remains unresolved
Plan X
If: You can document Mississippi residence, the required identity information, and every degree and coursework requirement.
Do: Submit the complete first-time application to the Mississippi Board and wait for the jurisdiction ID before using the CPA Portal.
Then verify: Confirm Board eligibility, NTS delivery, and the exact six-month expiration date.
Plan Y
If: Residence, identity, degree status, concentration hours, or required accounting subjects remain uncertain.
Do: Pause payment and ask the Mississippi Board to resolve the specific eligibility or transcript issue.
Then verify: Proceed only after the Board confirms that the unresolved gate is satisfied.
Keep every owner in its lane
Who decides each part of the Mississippi candidate journey
Mississippi Board
Exam eligibility, the first-time application, and jurisdiction ID
Not responsible for: The Board does not provide the learner's exam preparation program.
NASBA and the CPA Portal
Existing Candidate enrollment, post-approval payment, and NTS delivery
Not responsible for: NASBA does not replace the Mississippi Board's initial eligibility decision.
Prometric
CPA Exam appointment scheduling and test-center administration
Not responsible for: Prometric does not evaluate Mississippi residence or education eligibility.
CPAPass
Reviewed practice samples, saved account practice, and study planning
Not responsible for: CPAPass cannot evaluate transcripts, decide eligibility, collect official fees, issue a jurisdiction ID or NTS, schedule an appointment, release scores, or grant a license.
CPAPass handoff
Continue with saved CPA Exam practice
A free account lets you continue into section practice, retain submitted practice results, and use those results in your study planning. CPAPass does not turn practice into an official score or decide your state eligibility.
Budget separate charges
Mississippi CPA exam and application fees
These are individually sourced charges, not a complete licensing budget or an official 2027 fee schedule. Evaluation, section applications, testing, ethics, background checks, international testing, rescheduling, and licensing can be separate costs.
Confirm current charges before paying
This review did not establish current application and exam-section amounts for Mississippi. Use the official application instructions below for the payment total and any additional licensing charges.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the Mississippi CPA Exam requirements in 2026?
- Mississippi’s exam gate uses a qualifying bachelor’s degree and 120 credits, including a 48-credit upper-level accounting/business concentration with at least 24 accounting credits. The accounting requirement includes specified subjects, not just a total. Keep current exam requirements distinct from the proposed Chapter 2 course amendment.
- Does Mississippi require 150 hours for CPA licensure in 2026?
- Mississippi’s three education and experience pathways became effective July 1, 2026. Postgraduate route: Qualifying postgraduate education; 1 year. Additional-30 route: Qualifying bachelor’s degree plus 30 credits; 1 year. Bachelor’s route: Qualifying bachelor’s degree; 2 years.
- How should I plan for Mississippi CPA requirements in 2027?
- Use the July licensing paths for 2027 planning while keeping any unadopted course amendment clearly separate.
- Are Mississippi exam eligibility and licensing the same?
- They are separate checkpoints. The aggregate concentration does not replace subject-level requirements or the accounting minimum. Resolve the missing subject using current rules, then confirm the application records and background requirements.
- What should I confirm before applying in Mississippi?
- Final adoption of the proposed Chapter 2 coursework amendment remains unconfirmed.
- Does a CPAPass account apply for my Mississippi license?
- No. CPAPass provides CPA Exam practice and study planning. The state board and its designated services evaluate education, approve exam applications, and issue licenses or permits.
Evidence and review dates
Official Mississippi requirements sources
Core research date: . Licensing review date: . Proposed rules, effective dates, and unresolved details remain labeled in the relevant sections. Official authorities decide eligibility; this guide helps you prepare the questions and records.