South Dakota's new exam and licensure pathways took effect on July 1, 2026. You can now sit for the exam with a bachelor's degree that has an accounting concentration or an equivalent. To get licensed, you pick one of three routes. A graduate degree needs one year of experience.
A bachelor's plus 30 more semester hours also needs one year. A bachelor's alone needs two years. You need 24 accounting hours and 24 non-accounting business hours. You'll also finish the ethics course with at least 90 percent. Contact the South Dakota Board of Accountancy to confirm your coursework counts.
How to Get a CPA License in South Dakota
Every route also asks you to pass the Uniform CPA Exam. Here's how the education and experience fit together in South Dakota.
| Route | Education | Experience | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Graduate degree plus 1 year | A graduate degree with an accounting concentration or equivalent | 1 year | In effect since July 1, 2026 |
| Bachelor's plus 30 hours | A bachelor's degree plus 30 additional semester hours, with an accounting concentration or equivalent | 1 year | In effect since July 1, 2026 |
| Bachelor's plus 2 years | A bachelor's degree with an accounting concentration or equivalent | 2 years | In effect since July 1, 2026 |
Education to Sit for the CPA Exam in South Dakota
You need a bachelor's degree with a concentration in accounting or an equivalent the board accepts.
Coursework: 24 semester credit hours in accounting and 24 semester credit hours in non-accounting business courses
Ethics Exam
You must finish the ethics course from the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants with a score of at least 90 percent.
What Changed Recently
HB 1035 passed both chambers unanimously. The new exam and licensure pathways took effect July 1, 2026.
What Accountants Earn in South Dakota
Accountants and auditors in South Dakota earned a median of $78,880 a year in May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The middle half earned between $66,970 and $97,920. About 5,820 people held these jobs in the state.
Accounting Programs in South Dakota
None of the programs on our main rankings are based in South Dakota. You can still study online with a school in another state. Before you enroll, check that its accounting and business courses match what the board asks for. Our best online accounting degrees are a good place to start.
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 South Dakota stand on the bachelor's-plus-experience route.
- Iowa CPA requirements: bachelor's route in effect since July 1, 2026
- Minnesota CPA requirements: bachelor's route in effect since January 1, 2026
- Montana CPA requirements: bachelor's route in effect since January 1, 2026
- Nebraska CPA requirements: bachelor's route in effect since July 17, 2026
- North Dakota CPA requirements: no bachelor's route at this time
- Wyoming CPA requirements: no bachelor's route at this time
Check With the South Dakota 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.