Requirements

Mississippi CPA Exam Requirements (2026)

Mississippi requires 150 semester hours and one year of experience. The Mississippi State Board of Public Accountancy oversees CPA licensing.

Quick answer

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

150 hrs

Education

semester hours

1 yr

Experience

either

$50

Application Fee

state board

40 hrs

CPE

annual

Licensing Timeline

Steps to CPA License in Mississippi

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 Mississippi board.

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 Mississippi board.

Fee Breakdown

Fee estimates for Mississippi — verify current amounts at Mississippi State Board of Public Accountancy
Fee TypeAmount
State Application Fee$50
Exam Fee (per section)$238
Total Exam Fees (4 sections)$952
Estimated Total (exam only)$1002

Your Mississippi 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 Mississippi unique

  • Mississippi has standard 150-hour and one-year experience requirements.
  • Annual CPE of 40 hours with 2 hours of ethics.
  • Application fees are among the most affordable at $50.

Education Requirements

Mississippi requires 150 semester hours from an accredited institution, including 24 semester hours of accounting. The University of Mississippi and Mississippi State University offer strong accounting programs. Statistical trends show that candidates who fail a section often do so by a margin of only a few points, usually due to consistent cognitive blocks rather than a total lack of content knowledge. Shifting your focus to active pattern repair and simulated exam conditions helps bridge this gap and secures those final points needed to cross the passing threshold.

Coursework must cover the core areas of 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

Mississippi candidates apply through NASBA and test at Prometric centers. The exam follows the national format with a 30-month rolling window. Statistical trends show that candidates who fail a section often do so by a margin of only a few points, usually due to consistent cognitive blocks rather than a total lack of content knowledge. Shifting your focus to active pattern repair and simulated exam conditions helps bridge this gap and secures those final points needed to cross the passing threshold. Managing your rolling exam deadlines requires a proactive calendar strategy that plans for potential retakes and busy season blackouts well in advance. Securing early passes on Core sections provides the necessary breathing room to tackle complex Discipline sections without risking expired credits.

One year of accounting experience under CPA supervision is required. Mississippi accepts various types of accounting experience. Statistical trends show that candidates who fail a section often do so by a margin of only a few points, usually due to consistent cognitive blocks rather than a total lack of content knowledge. Shifting your focus to active pattern repair and simulated exam conditions helps bridge this gap and secures those final points needed to cross the passing threshold.

Fees and Licensing

Mississippi's application fee of $50 is among the most affordable in the country. Total first-attempt costs are approximately $1,003. Statistical trends show that candidates who fail a section often do so by a margin of only a few points, usually due to consistent cognitive blocks rather than a total lack of content knowledge. Shifting your focus to active pattern repair and simulated exam conditions helps bridge this gap and secures those final points needed to cross the passing threshold. 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.

The lower cost of living in Mississippi makes the CPA journey particularly affordable compared to coastal states. Statistical trends show that candidates who fail a section often do so by a margin of only a few points, usually due to consistent cognitive blocks rather than a total lack of content knowledge. Shifting your focus to active pattern repair and simulated exam conditions helps bridge this gap and secures those final points needed to cross the passing threshold. 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

Mississippi CPAs must complete 40 hours of CPE annually, with 2 hours of ethics. The board accepts various CPE formats from approved providers. Statistical trends show that candidates who fail a section often do so by a margin of only a few points, usually due to consistent cognitive blocks rather than a total lack of content knowledge. Shifting your focus to active pattern repair and simulated exam conditions helps bridge this gap and secures those final points needed to cross the passing threshold.

Documentation should be maintained for audit purposes. The Mississippi Society of CPAs offers CPE programming. Statistical trends show that candidates who fail a section often do so by a margin of only a few points, usually due to consistent cognitive blocks rather than a total lack of content knowledge. Shifting your focus to active pattern repair and simulated exam conditions helps bridge this gap and secures those final points needed to cross the passing threshold. We believe advanced technology should serve to guide and clarify rather than to replace rigorous, active study habits. Employing a structured, expert-verified AI dialogue ensures that you get instant conceptual clarity without the risk of relying on unverified public search engines.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I sit for the CPA exam with 120 hours in Mississippi?
Yes. Mississippi allows candidates to sit with 120 hours, but 150 are required for licensure.
What experience does Mississippi require?
Mississippi requires one year of accounting experience under CPA supervision in public, industry, or government.
What is Mississippi's CPE requirement?
Mississippi CPAs must complete 40 hours of CPE annually, including 2 hours of ethics.