Montana CPA requirements
Wondering how to become a CPA in Montana? Your first step should always be to check the Montana CPA requirements, because the Montana Board of Accountancy will ultimately license you. This page serves as a resource for Montana's requirements to take the CPA Exam, earn CPA licensure and keep licensure with CPE.
Earning your CPA license can unlock a wider range of career possibilities as an accountant in Montana, yet navigating the necessary steps can be daunting. To guide you through the Montana CPA requirements and the process of becoming a CPA, we'll outline everything from preparing for the CPA Exam to upholding your licensure. Although this overview offers valuable information, we advise consulting the Montana State Board of Accountancy for the latest updates and supplementary details.
- 24 semester hours (36 quarter hours) above the introductory level, including financial accounting, auditing, taxation and management accounting
- 24 semester hours (36 quarter hours) in non-accounting, general business courses, such as information systems, business law, finance, economics, marketing, ethics, organizational behavior and quantitative applications
Earning your CPA license can unlock a wider range of career possibilities as an accountant in Montana, yet navigating the necessary steps can be daunting. To guide you through the Montana CPA requirements and the process of becoming a CPA, we'll outline everything from preparing for the CPA Exam to upholding your licensure. Although this overview offers valuable information, we advise consulting the Montana State Board of Accountancy for the latest updates and supplementary details.
- 24 semester hours (36 quarter hours) above the introductory level, including financial accounting, auditing, taxation and management accounting
- 24 semester hours (36 quarter hours) in non-accounting, general business courses, such as information systems, business law, finance, economics, marketing, ethics, organizational behavior and quantitative applications
Earning your CPA license can unlock a wider range of career possibilities as an accountant in Montana, yet navigating the necessary steps can be daunting. To guide you through the Montana CPA requirements and the process of becoming a CPA, we'll outline everything from preparing for the CPA Exam to upholding your licensure. Although this overview offers valuable information, we advise consulting the Montana State Board of Accountancy for the latest updates and supplementary details.
- 24 semester hours (36 quarter hours) above the introductory level, including financial accounting, auditing, taxation and management accounting
- 24 semester hours (36 quarter hours) in non-accounting, general business courses, such as information systems, business law, finance, economics, marketing, ethics, organizational behavior and quantitative applications
Montana CPA license requirements
In addition to passing the CPA Exam, you must also fulfill additional Montana CPA requirements to obtain licensure.
Education requirements
While you only need 120 semester hours (180 quarter hours) to sit for the CPA Exam, all candidates must complete 150 semester hours (225 quarter hours) to apply for licensure. In Montana, you must fulfill the course requirements outlined above plus graduate from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree or higher.
Starting January 1, 2026, however, Montana will change the 150-credit requirement for CPA licensure. Candidates applying for their CPA license after this date must instead graduate with a Bachelor's degree from an accredited university and fulfill the accounting and business credit hours specified by the Board.
Ethics requirements
CPA candidates must pass Professional Ethics: The AICPA’s Comprehensive Course for Licensure.
Experience requirements
CPA candidates need to gain twelve months of full-time accounting experience totaling at least 2,000 hours in industry, government, academia, or public practice within three years prior to applying for licensure. Acceptable experience must include performing accounting and auditing functions ordinarily required in the practice of public accounting.
Residency requirements
Montana does not require proof of United States citizenship nor proof of residency to apply for licensure.
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Montana CPA license renewals
Montana CPAs must renew their license every three years. The renewal cycle occurs from January 1 to December 31 triennially.
All CPAs must maintain their license by earning continuing professional education (CPE) .To meet Montana CPA CPE requirements, you must complete at least 120 credit hours within each three-year cycle. Also, all CPAs are required to earn at least two hours of ethics CPE during each reporting cycle.
No CPE hours shall be permitted for attending or instructing college or university courses considered to be basic or introductory accounting courses or exam preparation/review courses.
All CPAs must maintain their license by earning continuing professional education (CPE) .To meet Montana CPA CPE requirements, you must complete at least 120 credit hours within each three-year cycle. Also, all CPAs are required to earn at least two hours of ethics CPE during each reporting cycle.
No CPE hours shall be permitted for attending or instructing college or university courses considered to be basic or introductory accounting courses or exam preparation/review courses.
All CPAs must maintain their license by earning continuing professional education (CPE) .To meet Montana CPA CPE requirements, you must complete at least 120 credit hours within each three-year cycle. Also, all CPAs are required to earn at least two hours of ethics CPE during each reporting cycle.
No CPE hours shall be permitted for attending or instructing college or university courses considered to be basic or introductory accounting courses or exam preparation/review courses.
