The requirements to become a CPA in South Dakota 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 SD 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 South Dakota
Meet the Eligibility Requirements for the CPA Exam
Here are the basic age and citizenship requirements to sit for the CPA exam in South Dakota.
- Minimum age requirement?: No
- US citizenship required?: No
- South Dakota residency required?: No
- 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 SD CPA Education Requirements
South Dakota’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 South Dakota:
- Obtain a bachelor’s degree (or higher) from a U.S. accredited college, university or foreign equivalent with a concentration in Accounting (or substantially equivalent)
- Complete at least 150 total semester (225 quarter) hours*
- At least 24 semester (36 quarter) hours in accounting courses at the undergraduate or graduate level, including elementary principles of accounting and at least one course in each of the following:
- Intermediate or advanced accounting,
- Auditing,
- Taxation, and
- Cost accounting
- At least 24 semester (36 quarter) hours in business courses other than accounting courses at the undergraduate or graduate level.
*In South Dakota You can apply to sit for the CPA Exam as long as you’ll satisfy the above criteria within 100 days of sitting for the exam, which means you can take the CPA Exam while you’re still in school!
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 South Dakota are as follows:
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*The application fee is $30 for each section you register for, so this is what it would cost to sign up for all four sections.
Also, since South Dakota’s Notice to Schedule (NTS) window is 12 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, the associated exam section fees above will apply again.
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!
SD CPA Work Experience Requirements
In addition to the education requirements discussed above, the South Dakota Board of Public Accountancy requires that you have a certain amount of work experience before you can obtain your CPA license. There requirements are fairly straightforward:
- At least 1 year of qualified accounting experience supervised by a licensed CPA
- 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 and shall include no less than 2,000 hours
- To perform Attest functions as a CPA (e.g. work as an auditor), you must also perform at least 375 hours in compilations, audits or reviews in any combination.
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 $149 – $209, depending on whether you register as an AICPA member ($40 savings) or choose the online course text vs. the paper-based text ($20 savings).
Pro-tip: When ordering the AICPA exam, be sure to let them know you’re taking the exam for your South Dakota State Board certification. That way when you pass, the AICPA will notify the South Dakota State Board of your passing score.
Get Your CPA License!
Finally! 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!
South Dakota’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
- Education transcripts (if necessary*)
- Verification of Experience
- Three character references dated and addressed to the Board (as part of application)
- Application fee (varies depending on time of year)
*Your college transcripts provided as part of your CPA exam application will already be on file. You’ll only need to provide additional transcripts if you did not meet the educational requirements for licensure when applying to sit for the CPA Exam (e.g. did not meet the 150-hour rule).
Once you’ve submitted everything noted above, then congratulations! 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.
Additional Resources and Information
FAQ on Application and Licensing
Contact Information
South Dakota Board of Accountancy
Office Address
301 East 14th Street, Suite 200
Sioux Falls, SD 57104
Email: sdbdacct.sdbd@midconetwork.com
Phone: (605) 367-5770
Fax: (605) 367-5773
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:
