Missouri CPA Exam and License Requirements
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Missouri CPA Exam
Missouri CPA (Certified Public Accountant) License is an official authorization to exercise the profession of public accounting in the state. To acquire this premier title, Missouri mandates passing the rigorous CPA Exam and meeting state-specific license requirements. With a diverse economy, low costs of living, and a stable business environment, Missouri offers a perfect setting for CPAs seeking professional and personal growth.
CPAs are licensed through the Missouri State Board of Accountancy (MSBA). Being a one-tier state, you must pass the CPA Exam and conform to experience requirements before applying for the license. Note that Missouri also takes part in the international administration of the CPA Exam.
Here is a rundown of all the information pertaining to the Missouri CPA exam and license requirements.
| Particulars | New York CPA Exam Requirements | New York CPA License Requirements |
| Minimum Age | - | 21 |
| U.S. Citizenship | - | Not Required |
| Missouri Residency | - | Required |
| Social Security Number | - | Required |
| Good Moral Character | Required | - |
| Education | 120 semester hours with:
| 150 hours (including a baccalaureate degree) |
| Exam | Take all sections within 18 months | Pass all four exam sections with 75 points in each |
| Experience | - | 1 year |
| Ethics Exam | - | AICPA’s Ethics Exam |
Contents
Missouri CPA Exam Requirements
Missouri CPA License Requirements
Missouri CPA Exam Requirements
Passing the CPA Exam is a common requirement for licensure in all states. Qualifying for the exam ensures that a candidate possesses the minimum competency standards needed to hold a license. With pass rates hovering around 50% for over a decade, the exam has earned the notoriety of being exceptionally tough.
The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) designs and grades the exam in cooperation with the National Association of State Board of Accountancy (NASBA). The exam is computer-based and is conducted all year round at designated Prometric centers worldwide.
The CPA exam is bifurcated into four sections that can be taken in any sequence over the period of 18 months. It starts from the date of taking the first passed exam section. Note that all sections must be qualified within the stipulated time period to retain credit for the passed sections.
The details of the exam sections are as follows:
Eligibility Requirements
Missouri exam applicants must:
- Be of good moral character
- Earn 120 semester hours of general college education with:
- 24 semester hours in accounting
- 24 semester hours in general business
Ensure to satisfy the requisites within 60 days after the testing date of your first exam section. Furthermore, here is the list of acceptable course requirements.
| Acceptable Course | Approved Course Provider | Credits |
| CPA Review Courses | Regionally accredited institutions | Acceptable towards the 120-semester hour requirement |
| Correspondence, online courses, and CLEP Credits | Regionally accredited university | Acceptable towards the 120-semester hour requirement |
| Excluding the accounting or business requirement | ||
| Formal, Supervised internships or Independent Study in accounting and business | - | Maximum 9 out of 48 semester hours in accounting & business |
Apply for the CPA Exam through CPA Examination Services (CPAES). Please check the NASBA portal to know the complete procedure.
Applicants may also use the NASBA Advisory Evaluation service to discern any academic shortfall in their education before submitting the initial application.
Fees
Both initial and re-exam applicants must submit the applicable fees to CPAES.
| Particulars | Examination Fees | First-time Applicant Fees | Re-exam Applicant Fees |
| Application Fee | - | $180 | - |
| Registration Fee | - | - | $100 |
| Exam sections | - | - | - |
| AUD | $238.15 | - | - |
| BEC | $238.15 | - | - |
| FAR | $238.15 | - | - |
| REG | $238.15 | $952.6 | $952.6 |
| Total Fees | $952.6 | $1,132.6 | $1,052.6 |
Missouri does not allow applicants to withdraw from the exam or request a Notice-to-Schedule (NTS) extension. Nonetheless, applicants in extraordinary situations can request an NTS extension or procure a limited exam fee compensation.
Both examination and application fees are non-refundable. After making the payment, applicants receive an NTS, which gives them six months to sit for the applied exam section(s).
Required Documents
CPAES requires you to submit these documents at the time of application.
| Documents | Submission Authority |
| Official transcripts (may be submitted electronically) | Academic Institute |
| Certificate of Enrollment | Candidate or Academic Institute |
| International Evaluation Summary with International Transcripts | Candidate or NASBA International Evaluation Services (NIES) |
| Testing Accommodations Request Form | Candidate |
Kindly submit only originals and not photocopies of your transcripts and evaluations.
Missouri CPA License Requirements
Passing the Uniform CPA Exam in itself does not mean a candidate is licensed to practice as a CPA. Instead, successful candidates must fulfill other education and experience conditions before qualifying for licensure.
Here are the licensing prerequisites:
- Age – 21 years
- Education – 150 semester hours
- Exam – Pass all four exam sections
- Experience – One year
- Ethics – AICPA-administered Ethics Exam
Besides the above requisites, Missouri requires U.S. citizenship, residency, and social security number to apply for the license.
Submit your licensure application, required fees (a $90 check), and documents to the MSBA. Check out the MSBA’s official portal for more information.
Education Requirements
Applicants must earn 150 semester hours with a baccalaureate degree. Know that the first 120 semester hours are mandatory to attempt the CPA Exam. While the rest 30 hours are a requisite for CPA licensure.
Further details are mentioned in the Eligibility Requirements section.
Exam Requirements
CPA Exam is a computerized test to be passed within the rolling 18-month period. Candidates must score a minimum of 75 points in each of the four exam sections. For more information, kindly visit the Missouri Exam Requirements section.
Experience Requirements
Missouri CPA aspirants must obtain one year (2000 hours) of accounting-specific work experience. Furthermore, future auditors must gain two years of employment with one year in an auditing-specific role.
The required experience may be full-time or part-time. However, it must include a minimum of 2000 hours gained in the 1-3 year period. Also, ensure affirm the work experience by an active CPA.
| Qualifying Areas | Qualifying Services |
| Industry | Accounting |
| Academia | Attest |
| Government | Review |
| Public Practice | Compilation |
| - | Financial Advisory |
| - | Management Advisory |
| - | Tax |
| - | Consulting |
Ethics Requirements
Missouri licensure applicants must pass the open-book AICPA Ethics Exam with at least 90%. They may attempt the examination at any time during the licensure process.
Missouri Society of CPA (MOCPA) members can order complimentary online ethics exams along with other ethics materials. The membership costs $185.
Let’s dig a bit deeper and get you all the information on the ethics exam.
| Particulars | Details | |
| Exam Format | Open-book | |
| Question Type | MCQs | |
| Exam Level | Basic | |
| Exam Mode | Online | |
| Where to order the Exam from? | Missouri Society of CPA (MOCPA) | |
| Examination Fee | MOCPA members | Free |
| Non-MOCPA members | $225 | |
| When to take up the Exam? | Anytime during the licensure procedure | |
| Passing Grade | Minimum 90% | |
| Exam administration & grading authority | AICPA | |
| Steps to follow | Complete your purchase from MOCPA | |
| Get an email with access instructions | ||
| Use the study materials | ||
| Take up & pass the Ethics Exam | ||
| Print or download the Certificate of Completion | ||
| Exam content | AICPA, Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) & Government Accountability Office (GAO) ethics rules | |
| AICPA Code of Professional Conduct | ||
| Conceptual Framework | ||
| Basic tenets of professional & ethical conduct | ||
| Principles of ethics | ||
| Independence | ||
| Acts disgraceful to the CPA profession | ||
| Examination Objectives | Apply the amended AICPA Code of Professional Conduct | |
| Acknowledge the significance & organization of the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct | ||
| Identify the SEC, GAO, & other regulatory rules | ||
| Apply AICPA ethics interpretations on confidentiality, integrity, objectivity, & advertising | ||
| Remember the obligation to practice due care |
Continuing Professional Education (CPE)
Missouri CPA License requires renewal every two years. Renewal requires fulfilling the 40 CPE credit hours requirement. Note that you will receive the license renewal at least 60 days prior to your license expiration date.
The Show-Me State acknowledges CPE credits for programs rendered by NASBA National Registry Sponsors.
Let’s discuss all the details.
| Particulars | Details | ||
| License Expiration Date | September 30 (Biennially) | ||
| Reporting Period for CPE | January 1-December 31 (Annually) | ||
| CPE Requirement | 40 hours including two hours of ethics per reporting period | ||
| Ethics Requirement | 2 hours per reporting period | ||
| Credit Limitations | Authored Published Material | Maximum 2 hours per reporting period | |
| College/University | Course related to the accounting profession | ||
| Credit Calculations | Instruction | Credit = Presentation plus Preparation. | |
| University/College | Credit courses | 1 semester hour = 15 CPE hours | |
| 1 quarter hour = 10 CPE hours | |||
| Non-credit courses | 1 classroom hour = 1 CPE hour | ||
| Other Policies | The principal office of the licensee in another state having CPE requirements | Meet state-specific CPE requirements | |
| The principal office of the licensee in another state without CPE requirements | Meet Missouri CPE requirements |
With a sound employment rate, Missouri offers countless lucrative career opportunities for aspiring CPAs. Also, having the twelfth lowest cost of living in the U.S. makes it perfect for enjoying life with a satisfying job and an affordable lifestyle.
Practicing as a CPA in a place with a $328 billion Gross Domestic Product and promising economic growth will reap great rewards for your career. Just stay updated with the CPA exam and license requirements through the Missouri state board, AICPA, and NASBA websites. And yes, don’t forget to renew your license biennially! You may also have a look at CPE Credits for CPA for more details.
Missouri Exam Information & Resources
1. Missouri Society of CPA (http://www.mocpa.org/)
540 Maryville Centre Drive, Suite 200
St. Louis, MO 63141
Ph: (800) 264-7966
Email: member@mocpa.org
2. Missouri Division of Professional Registration (https://pr.mo.gov/accountancy.asp)
3605 Missouri Boulevard
P.O. Box 1335
Jefferson City, MO 65102-1335
Ph: 573.751.0293
TTY: 800.735.2966
Voice Relay: 800.735.2466 Voice Relay
Email: profreg@pr.mo.gov
4. Missouri Secretary of State (https://www.sos.mo.gov/)
600 West Main Street
Jefferson City, MO 65101
Main Office Ph: (573) 751-4936
Email: Info@sos.mo.gov
5. NASBA (https://nasba.org/)
150 Fourth Ave. North
Suite 700
Nashville, TN 37219-2417
Tel: 615-880-4200
Fax: 615-880-4290
6. AICPA (https://www.aicpa.org/)
Phone number: 888.777.7077
220 Leigh Farm Road
Durham, NC 27707-8110
Fax server: 800.362.5066
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