Minnesota has let you license with a bachelor's degree since January 1, 2026. You need the degree plus 2 years of experience. A master's degree plus 1 year also works. The 150-hour route with 1 year of experience stays open until July 1, 2030.
To sit for the exam, you need a bachelor's or higher degree. The rules call for at least 24 semester hours of accounting at the intermediate or advanced level. If you're finishing a bachelor's, contact the Minnesota Board of Accountancy to confirm your accounting courses count.
How to Get a CPA License in Minnesota
Every route also asks you to pass the Uniform CPA Exam. Here's how the education and experience fit together in Minnesota.
| Route | Education | Experience | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's plus 2 years | Bachelor's degree | 2 years | In effect since January 1, 2026 |
| Graduate degree plus 1 year | Master's degree | 1 year | In effect since January 1, 2026 |
| 150-hour route | 150 semester hours (225 quarter hours) | 1 year | In effect |
Education to Sit for the CPA Exam in Minnesota
You need a bachelor's or higher degree.
Coursework: At least 24 semester hours of accounting at the intermediate or advanced level, covering financial accounting, auditing, taxation and management accounting.
What Changed Recently
SF 3045 took effect January 1, 2026. The 150-hour route stays open until July 1, 2030.
What Accountants Earn in Minnesota
Accountants and auditors in Minnesota earned a median of $81,600 a year in May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The middle half earned between $68,190 and $105,020. About 30,530 people held these jobs in the state.
Accounting Programs in Minnesota
3 programs on our main rankings are based in Minnesota. A degree from a school in the state is often the simplest way to match the board's coursework rules.
- Winona State University, Accounting, Bachelor's: #22 of 100 bachelor's accounting programs
- Bemidji State University, Accounting B.S.: one of our 100 best bachelor's accounting programs
- University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Bachelor of Science in Business, Accounting: one of our 100 best bachelor's accounting programs
CPA Requirements in Nearby States
Thinking about working across a state line, or studying in one state and licensing in another? Each state sets its own rules, so here's where the states near Minnesota stand on the bachelor's-plus-experience route.
- Iowa CPA requirements: bachelor's route in effect since July 1, 2026
- North Dakota CPA requirements: no bachelor's route at this time
- South Dakota CPA requirements: bachelor's route in effect since July 1, 2026
- Wisconsin CPA requirements: bachelor's route in effect
Check With the Minnesota Board of Accountancy
The board sets the rules and decides your application. We checked these requirements against official sources on October 12, 2026. Rules change, so confirm the details on the board's site before you apply.