Requirements

Montana CPA Exam Requirements (2026)

Montana requires 150 semester hours and one year of experience. The Montana Board of Public Accountants manages CPA licensing in Big Sky Country.

Quick answer

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

150 hrs

Education

semester hours

1 yr

Experience

either

$50

Application Fee

state board

80 hrs

CPE

biennial

Licensing Timeline

Steps to CPA License in Montana

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 Montana Board of Public Accountants.

3. Schedule and Pass the CPA Exam

Pass all four sections within the 30-month window.

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 Montana board.

Fee Breakdown

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

Your Montana 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 Montana unique

  • Montana uses the name "Board of Public Accountants" rather than "Board of Accountancy."
  • No residency or age requirement.
  • Biennial CPE of 80 hours with 4 hours of ethics.

Education Requirements

Montana requires 150 semester hours from an accredited institution, including 24 semester hours of accounting. The University of Montana and Montana State University offer accounting programs. 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.

Coursework must cover core accounting disciplines including 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

Montana candidates apply through NASBA and test at Prometric centers. Due to Montana's geography, some candidates may test in neighboring states. 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. Montana accepts experience in public, industry, or government settings. 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.

Fees and Licensing

Montana's application fee is approximately $50. Total first-attempt costs are about $1,003. 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.

Montana's lower cost of living makes the CPA licensure journey relatively affordable. 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

Montana CPAs must complete 80 hours of CPE every two years, including 4 hours of ethics. The board accepts various delivery methods. 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.

Documentation should be retained for potential audit. Montana follows national CPE standards. Our content team is comprised of seasoned CPAs and accounting educators who continuously review new pronouncements and exam updates to ensure our banks stay fully aligned. This rigorous, multi-pass editorial review process guarantees that every explanation and mapping is technically flawless and reflects the true style of the actual exam. 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 Montana?
Montana requires 150 hours to sit for the exam. Check with the board for the latest policies.
Does Montana require residency?
No. Montana does not require state residency for CPA licensure.
What is Montana's CPE requirement?
Montana CPAs must complete 80 hours of CPE every two years, including 4 hours of ethics.