150-Hour Requirement
The 128-credit B.S. degree will continue to be adequate academic preparation for students who do not wish to be CPAs. Only those students who seek to become CPAs after the effective date of the legislation will be required to show evidence of 150 semester hours of course work. The status of the legislation in this region is as follows:
Minnesota: Legislation has passed and is effective July 1, 2006. Minnesota residents may still sit for the CPA Exam without 150 semester credits, but job mobility will be seriously affected for those without the extra education, because they may be unable to be licensed in states with the stricter standards. Therefore, we suggest that all students planning to sit for the CPA Exam consider meeting the 150-hour requirement before graduation.
North Dakota: Legislation has passed and became effective January 1, 2000.
South Dakota: Legislation has passed and became effective January 1, 1998.
Recommended course work: This may vary between states because each state sets its own licensing requirements. It's always best to check directly with the State Board of Accountancy of the state in which you wish to become a CPA. However, CPA candidates are generally required only to demonstrate that they have 150 semester credits of post-secondary education and substantial preparation in the discipline of accounting (usually an accounting major or the equivalent amount of study).