CPA Requirements in Mississippi: Education, Exam, and Licensure Steps
Learn how to meet Mississippi’s CPA requirements, from education and exam application to licensure steps, renewal obligations, and reciprocity options.
Becoming a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Mississippi involves a defined path to ensure professionals meet the necessary standards. Earning a CPA license is a significant credential for careers in accounting, auditing, or finance within the state. This article outlines Mississippi’s requirements, covering education, the examination process, licensure steps, and ongoing professional obligations.
Education Requirements
Prospective CPAs in Mississippi must meet specific educational benchmarks set by the Mississippi State Board of Public Accountancy (MSBPA). Candidates need 150 semester hours of college education, including a baccalaureate or higher degree from a regionally accredited institution.1Mississippi State Board of Public Accountancy. Mississippi State Board of Public Accountancy Rules and Regulations (Effective Nov 2024) This requirement extends beyond the typical 120 hours for a standard bachelor’s degree.
Within the 150 hours, candidates must complete at least 48 semester hours in upper-division or graduate-level accounting and business courses. These courses must come from an institution recognized by a regional accrediting body.
This 48-hour block requires a minimum of 24 semester hours specifically in accounting. Coursework must include at least three semester hours in each of the following:
- Financial Accounting
- Auditing
- Taxation
- Management/Cost Accounting
- Government/Not-for-Profit Accounting
The remaining 24 hours should be in other upper-division or graduate-level general business courses. Meeting these educational prerequisites is the first step toward CPA licensure in Mississippi.
Applying for the Exam
After confirming educational eligibility, candidates apply to take the Uniform CPA Examination through the MSBPA. The application is submitted online via the Board’s website.2Mississippi State Board of Public Accountancy. Licensing & Exams Official transcripts confirming coursework completion and degree conferral must be sent directly from the educational institutions to the MSBPA after the degree is awarded.
Applicants pay non-refundable fees, including an initial Board administrative fee and fees for each exam section chosen. Candidates should only apply for sections they intend to take within six months, as the authorization to test expires after this period.
Once the MSBPA processes the application and verifies eligibility, it notifies the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA). NASBA then issues the Notice to Schedule (NTS) to the candidate, authorizing them to schedule exam sections. The NTS is valid for six months, and candidates must take their approved sections within this timeframe or forfeit the fees for those sections.3National Association of State Boards of Accountancy. CPA Exam Candidate Guide (July 2024) Exam appointments are scheduled through Prometric testing centers. Scheduling well in advance is recommended due to potential limitations in availability.
Steps for Licensure
Passing all sections of the Uniform CPA Examination is a major milestone, but further steps are required for licensure in Mississippi. The MSBPA requires candidates to fulfill additional requirements after the exam to ensure they possess practical experience and ethical understanding.
Candidates must complete at least one year of qualifying work experience, equivalent to 2,000 hours if part-time.4Mississippi State Board of Public Accountancy. Statutes, Rules and Regulations This experience must be gained within three years of passing the final CPA exam section and involve skills in areas like accounting, auditing, advisory services, or tax. The work must be supervised and verified by an actively licensed CPA, who will attest to the nature and duration of the experience on forms provided by the MSBPA.
Applicants must also demonstrate ethical understanding by passing the AICPA’s “Professional Ethics: The AICPA’s Comprehensive Course For Licensure” with a score of 90% or higher. This self-study course covers the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct. Applicants must also show good moral character, which involves a background check initiated by the Board.
With the experience and ethics requirements met, the final step is applying for the CPA certificate with the MSBPA. This requires submitting the license application form, verified experience documentation, proof of passing the ethics exam, and paying applicable fees, including an initial license registration fee.5Mississippi State Board of Public Accountancy. Fees This application must be submitted within three years of passing the final exam section. After the MSBPA verifies that all requirements (Education, Examination, Experience, Ethics) are satisfied according to state regulations, the applicant is granted a CPA license.
Continuing Education Renewal
Maintaining a CPA license in Mississippi necessitates ongoing professional development through Continuing Professional Education (CPE), as required by the MSBPA. This ensures CPAs stay current with evolving standards and regulations.
Mississippi CPAs must complete a minimum of 40 hours of acceptable CPE annually, during a reporting period running from July 1st to June 30th.6Mississippi State Board of Public Accountancy. Continuing Professional Education Completed hours must be reported online to the MSBPA each year.
Specific subject areas are required over time. Every three years, CPAs need at least four hours of CPE focused on Board-approved ethics, professional conduct, and public accountancy law.7NASBA Registry. Mississippi CPE Requirements At least one of these hours must specifically cover Mississippi Public Accountancy Law and Regulations. The current three-year ethics cycle ends June 30, 2025. CPAs involved in governmental audits under GAGAS face separate, specific CPE requirements related to government auditing.
Flexibility exists in meeting the annual 40-hour requirement. Up to 20 excess CPE hours earned in one year can be carried over to the next, though carryover hours cannot fulfill the triennial ethics requirement. Courses in personal development are acceptable but capped at 20 hours per year, with no carryover for excess hours in this category. CPAs must keep CPE records for at least five years. Self-study courses must be from sponsors approved under NASBA’s Quality Assurance Service program.
Reciprocity Options
CPAs licensed in other states who wish to practice or establish their primary business in Mississippi can do so through reciprocity, provided certain conditions are met. The MSBPA oversees this process, ensuring incoming CPAs meet standards comparable to Mississippi’s initial licensure requirements.
Reciprocity often relies on “substantial equivalency,” meaning the education, examination, and experience requirements of the CPA’s original licensing state are comparable to Mississippi’s.8National Association of State Boards of Accountancy. Substantial Equivalency This generally involves 150 semester hours of education with a degree, passing the Uniform CPA Examination, and having at least one year of verified experience. All U.S. licensing jurisdictions are currently considered substantially equivalent.
CPAs licensed in a substantially equivalent state whose principal place of business is not in Mississippi typically have “practice privilege.” They can provide services in Mississippi under their home state license without obtaining a Mississippi reciprocal license, giving notice, or paying a fee, provided their home license is active and in good standing.9Justia Law. Mississippi Code § 73-33-17 (2024) – Reciprocity With Other States These individuals are still subject to Mississippi’s laws and the MSBPA’s disciplinary authority.
If a CPA licensed elsewhere intends to establish their principal place of business within Mississippi, they must apply for a reciprocal Mississippi CPA license. This involves submitting MSBPA forms, verifying their existing license status, and demonstrating their qualifications meet Mississippi’s standards (or are substantially equivalent). Applicants must show good moral character, undergo a background check, and pay reciprocal license fees. The MSBPA reviews each application and requires confirmation of good standing from the original licensing state before issuing a reciprocal license. Mississippi does not have direct reciprocity agreements for international licenses; holders generally must meet standard initial licensure requirements.