Missouri CPA Requirements (2026): Exam and License
Missouri exam entry, license pathways, coursework, and fees, with researched changes for your 2027 plan.
Checkpoint 1
Can I take the exam?
Degree + 24/24
Missouri’s current exam instructions require a qualifying degree with 24 accounting and 24 business credits. The August 2026 transition is already past.
Check exam entryCheckpoint 2
Can I obtain the license?
SB 1233’s three licensing combinations became effective August 28, 2026. They should be presented as current, with detailed implementation checked separately.
Degree, concentration, qualifying experience, and any additional application conditions must be checked together.
Review license choicesPermission to sit
Missouri CPA Exam eligibility
Missouri’s current exam instructions require a qualifying degree with 24 accounting and 24 business credits. The August 2026 transition is already past.
- Use the current NASBA exam instructions rather than wording that says the old route applies through August 27.
- Exam concentration does not automatically establish the final licensing concentration for every new path.
Map your transcript
Missouri 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 | 24 credits | 24 credits | Qualifying degree |
| New license paths | Final licensing concentration must be confirmed | Final licensing concentration must be confirmed | August 28, 2026 law is effective |
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
Missouri CPA license pathways
SB 1233’s three licensing combinations became effective August 28, 2026. They should be presented as current, with detailed implementation checked separately.
| Route / availability | Education | Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s route | Qualifying bachelor’s degree | 2 years |
| Additional-30 route | Qualifying bachelor’s degree plus 30 credits | 1 year |
| Post-bachelor’s route | Qualifying post-bachelor’s degree | 1 year |
- Bachelor’s/two-year, bachelor’s-plus-30/one-year, and qualifying post-bachelor’s/one-year routes are distinct combinations.
- Do not label August 28 as a future change on a page reviewed in September.
Dates that affect your decision
Planning for Missouri CPA requirements in 2027
The August 2026 framework is the relevant starting point for 2027 planning, with final licensing course details confirmed before enrollment decisions.
August 28, 2026
EffectiveSB 1233 licensing combinations
The earlier August transition language has expired. Keep the actual effective date attached to the current paths.
Worked planning example
Reading a guide written before August 28
Illustrative candidate scenario, not an eligibility determination.
Starting point
An older guide says the new paths are still in the future and directs you only to 150 credits.
What the rules mean
The law’s effective date has passed. Review the current combinations, then confirm their detailed concentration and application requirements.
Next action
Use the current board/NASBA instructions to select the route matching your degree and qualifying work.
From education to an appointment
How to apply and prepare in Missouri
- 1
Confirm the application owner
Use the official exam instructions linked above to identify the board or designated exam service. Exam and license applications may go to different owners.
- 2
Prepare the education record
Arrange official transcripts and any required evaluation, degree evidence, course descriptions, identity, and state-specific records. Resolve the exact eligibility question before paying.
- 3
Apply for a section you can prepare for
After the responsible authority confirms eligibility, follow its section application and payment instructions. Keep the actual application and examination charges separate.
- 4
Use the Notice to Schedule
Check the authorized section, name, and expiration on the NTS. Book the testing appointment through the official scheduling process within that authorization.
- 5
Complete the exam and license file
Pass AUD, FAR, REG, and one Discipline, then complete the selected license route’s education, experience, ethics, and documentation requirements. Track each official deadline separately.
This sequence organizes your planning. The state-specific facts and exceptions in the sections above take priority; the official application instructions establish the required filing order.
Budget separate charges
Missouri 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.
| Charge | Published amount | What it covers | Official source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education evaluation | $96.00 | Evaluation charge listed by NASBA. Foreign-education evaluation may be separate. | Verify this charge |
| Exam section application | $100.00 | Follow the jurisdiction’s section-application rules. Do not assume one application charge covers all four sections. | Verify this charge |
| Each exam section | $268.59 | One section’s examination charge, separate from its application charge. | Verify this charge |
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the Missouri CPA Exam requirements in 2026?
- Missouri’s current exam instructions require a qualifying degree with 24 accounting and 24 business credits. The August 2026 transition is already past. Use the current NASBA exam instructions rather than wording that says the old route applies through August 27. Exam concentration does not automatically establish the final licensing concentration for every new path.
- Does Missouri require 150 hours for CPA licensure in 2026?
- SB 1233’s three licensing combinations became effective August 28, 2026. They should be presented as current, with detailed implementation checked separately. Bachelor’s route: Qualifying bachelor’s degree; 2 years. Additional-30 route: Qualifying bachelor’s degree plus 30 credits; 1 year. Post-bachelor’s route: Qualifying post-bachelor’s degree; 1 year.
- How should I plan for Missouri CPA requirements in 2027?
- The August 2026 framework is the relevant starting point for 2027 planning, with final licensing course details confirmed before enrollment decisions.
- Are Missouri exam eligibility and licensing the same?
- They are separate checkpoints. The law’s effective date has passed. Review the current combinations, then confirm their detailed concentration and application requirements. Use the current board/NASBA instructions to select the route matching your degree and qualifying work.
- What should I confirm before applying in Missouri?
- Detailed final licensing concentration after the August change remains a confirmation item.
- Does a CPAPass account apply for my Missouri 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 Missouri 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.