The requirements to become a CPA in Missouri can be a bit confusing so I put this guide together to help you navigate the process! If you’re just starting to research getting your CPA license in MO then I suggest starting from the top. Otherwise, feel free to skip ahead to any section you’d like to know a little more about!
7 Simple Steps to Becoming a CPA in Missouri
Meet the Eligibility Requirements for the CPA Exam
Here are the basic age and citizenship requirements to sit for the CPA exam in Missouri.
- Minimum age requirement?: 18
- US citizenship required?: No
- Missouri residency required?: Yes
- Minimum level of education required: See next section
- Valid Social Security Number (SSN)* required?: Yes
*An Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) may also be provided
Fulfill the MO CPA Education Requirements
Missouri’s requirements to sit for the CPA Exam and get your license are the same. Here’s a breakdown of exactly what’s needed to become a CPA in Missouri:
- Have at least 150 semester hours AND a bachelor’s degree (or higher) from a U.S. accredited college, university or foreign equivalent
- At least 33 semester hours in accounting courses
- At least one course must be in Auditing
- At least 18 semester hours must be in upper division accounting
- Accounting Law and Business law courses do not qualify towards the accounting requirement
- At least 27 semester hours in general business courses
- Example courses include Marketing, Management, Economics, Finance, etc.
Apply to Sit for the CPA Exam and Pay the Exam Fees
Be sure to check out this post where I break down the entire CPA Exam application process for you, step-by-step.
The cost to apply and register for all four parts of the CPA Exam in Missouri are as follows:
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*Missouri‘s Notice to Schedule (NTS) window is 6 months, so you should only register and pay for the exam section(s) you intend to take within that time. If you need to schedule or re-take any sections beyond your initial NTS window, a $75 re-examination fee plus the associated exam section fees above will apply.
Study for, and PASS the CPA Exam!
Studying for the CPA Exam is definitely the most challenging and time consuming part of the whole process, so you might as well get a jump start on studying as soon as your fees are submitted.
Not sure which exam section to take first? Check out my post where I break down the pros and cons of each route you can go so you can make the best possible decision: Which section of the CPA Exam should I take first?
By far the most important factor to success on the CPA Exam is sticking to a consistent study schedule and not letting too much time lapse between study sessions.
The CPA Exam is not a test you can just cram for so you’ll want to make sure you space out the material into manageable chunks in a way that fits your schedule.
As long as you schedule things out properly, you won’t have to sacrifice your entire social life for the CPA Exam like some folks say!
You’ll also need to purchase a CPA review course that’s best suited for your study style and budget. I’ve personally tested and examined all of the top review courses out there so you can find the best one for you.
If you still can’t decide which course is best, send me an email and I’ll personally help you!
MO CPA Work Experience Requirements
In addition to the education requirements discussed above, the Missouri Board of Accountancy requires that you have a certain amount of work experience before you can obtain your CPA license. The requirements are fairly straightforward but vary depending on the type of work you’ll be performing:
- You must have at least 1 year AND 2,000 hours of qualifying accounting experience under a licensed CPA.
- If you want to be able to sign attest reports, you’ll need 1 extra year AND and extra 2,000 hours of experience from attest-related work
- Experience may be earned on a full-time or part-time basis, and by one or more employers
- All work hours must have been performed over the course of a 1-3 year period.
Qualifying accounting experience can come from employment in industry, government, academia, or public practice, or a combination of these. However, if you’d like to be able to sign attest reports, the extra attest-related work experience noted above must come from either “practicing public accounting in a CPA firm or by practicing as an auditor, employed by a local, state, or federal government entity, devoted principally to the comprehensive application of generally accepted accounting principles or generally accepted government auditing standards to diversified field examinations.”
Pass the AICPA Ethics Exam
The AICPA Ethics Exam is a self-study course that may be completed any time before, during, or after you sit for the CPA exam so long as it’s completed within 2 years of submitting your CPA license application. The exam consists of 40 multiple-choice questions that must be answered with a score of 90% or higher. To prepare for it, you’ll receive a 100-page textbook from the AICPA upon registration.
You can take the exam online or via a paper form that you’ll submit through the mail. You’ll have three attempts to pass the exam if you take the online version. After that, you’ll need to complete the exam via the paper / snail-mail route.
The exam and related materials can cost anywhere from $209 – $270, depending on whether you register as an AICPA member or not.
Pro-tip: When ordering the AICPA exam, be sure to let them know you’re taking the exam for your Missouri State Board certification. That way when you pass, the AICPA will notify the Missouri State Board of your passing score.
Get Your CPA License!
Almost there! After passing the CPA exam and meeting all of the education and work experience requirements above, you’ll finally be able to apply for your CPA license!
Missouri’s application process is fairly straightforward. In order to receive your CPA license, you’ll need to complete and submit the following:
- Your CPA license application
- Application must include an attached 2×2 photograph
- Verification of Experience section of application must be notarized
- Application fee ($90)
Once you’ve submitted everything noted above, then you should be well on your way to getting your CPA license! In case you need any more info about the exam or licensing process, be sure to check out the additional resources I’ve included down below, and best of luck on your journey to becoming a CPA!
Additional Resources and Information
Missouri CPA Exam Requirements (NASBA)
Missouri CPA License Application Forms
Contact Information
Office Address
3605 Missouri Boulevard
P.O. Box 613
Jefferson City, MO 65102-0613
Email: mosba@pr.mo.gov
Phone: (573) 751-0012
Fax: (573) 751-0890
Additional Organizations
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To learn more about some of the things you’ll need to prepare for the CPA Exam, be sure to check out my detailed reviews of each of the top courses on the market:
