The requirements to become a CPA in North 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 ND 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!
Contents
- 1 7 Simple Steps to Becoming a CPA in North Dakota
- 1.1 Meet the Eligibility Requirements for the CPA Exam
- 1.2 Fulfill the ND CPA Education Requirements
- 1.3 Apply to Sit for the CPA Exam and Pay the Exam Fees
- 1.4 Study for, and PASS the CPA Exam!
- 1.5 ND CPA Work Experience Requirements
- 1.6 Pass the AICPA Ethics Exam
- 1.7 Get Your CPA License!
- 1.8 Additional Resources and Information
- 1.9 Contact Information
- 1.10 Additional Organizations
7 Simple Steps to Becoming a CPA in North Dakota
Meet the Eligibility Requirements for the CPA Exam
Here are the basic age and citizenship requirements to sit for the CPA exam in North Dakota.
- Minimum age requirement?: No
- US citizenship required?: No
- North 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 ND CPA Education Requirements
North 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 Oregon:
- Obtain a bachelor’s degree (or higher) from a U.S. accredited college, university or foreign equivalent with a concentration in Accounting
- Complete at least 150 total semester (225 quarter) hours
- An “Accounting concentration” shall consist of the following curriculum:
- At least 24 semester (36 quarter) hours in accounting courses, above the introductory level (e.g. Principles of accounting or equivalent courses do not count toward the required accounting or business courses)
- At least 24 semester (36 quarter) hours in business courses.
- Up to 3 credits of economics credits may be included in the business course curriculum
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 North Dakota are as follows:
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*North Dakota’s Notice to Schedule (NTS) window is 6 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, a $60 re-examination fee plus the associated exam section fees above will apply.
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!
ND CPA Work Experience Requirements
In addition to the education requirements discussed above, the North Dakota Board of Public Accountancy requires that you have a certain amount of work experience before you can obtain your CPA license, as follows:
- At least 1 year of qualified accounting experience supervised by a licensed CPA
- Experience can be earned in public accounting, industry, government, or academia and can be on a full- or part-time basis.
- All work hours must have been performed within 4 or fewer calendar years and shall include no less than 2,000 hours
- Qualifying accounting experience is defined as “providing any type of service or advice involving the use of accounting, attest, management advisory, financial advisory, tax, or consulting skills.”
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 $209 – $270, depending on whether you register as an AICPA member or not.
Pro-tip: After completing the exam, be sure to download your certificate of completion. You’ll need to submit it to the North Dakota State Board as part of your license application.
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!
North 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 (Form V)
- Verification of Experience (as part of application)
- Application fee (varies)
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
More info on CPA Requirements in ND
Contact Information
North Dakota State Board Accountancy
Office Address
215 N. 3rd St, Suite 202C
Grand Forks, ND 58203
Contact form: https://www.ndsba.nd.gov/contact
Phone: (701) 775-7100
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:
