Key Requirements at a Glance
Education Hours
150
Accounting Coursework
24 accounting + 24 business
Work Experience
1 year
Ethics Exam
AICPA Ethics Exam
Montana-Specific Notes
Standard pathway. Small state but full reciprocity with other jurisdictions.
Official State Board
The Montana State Board of Accountancy is the authoritative source for licensure requirements, application forms, and status updates.
Visit Montana State Board →Opens boards.bsd.dli.mt.gov/public-accountants in a new window.
Becoming a CPA in Montana: The Three E's
Every U.S. jurisdiction, including Montana, requires candidates to satisfy three core requirements — Education, Examination, and Experience — plus an ethics component in most states.
Education
Montana requires 150 of education, including 24 accounting + 24 business. Many candidates complete this with a bachelor's degree plus additional accounting coursework or a master's program.
Examination
All candidates must pass the Uniform CPA Examination: three Core sections (FAR, REG, AUD) plus one Discipline (BAR, ISC, or TCP). The exam is identical in all 55 U.S. jurisdictions. Prepare with PassTheCPANow for $79 →
Experience
Montana requires 1 year of qualifying work experience. Most jurisdictions accept experience in public accounting, industry, government, or academia.
Ethics
Ethics requirement: AICPA Ethics Exam. Most states use the AICPA Professional Ethics course, but several (New York, Texas, California, Washington, Louisiana) require state-specific ethics education.
Now That You Know the Requirements...
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