If you’re wondering how to become a CPA in South Dakota, we’ve organized the South Dakota CPA exam requirements below.
1. Meet the Education Requirements to Sit for the CPA Exam
To meet the South Dakota requirements to sit for the CPA exam, the South Dakota CPA education requirements must be attained first. For South Dakota applicants, you must have a bachelor’s degree and earn 150 semester hours. The 150 semester hours must include 24 semester hours in accounting and 24 semester hours in business courses.
2. Apply for the CPA Exam
To apply for the CPA examination online, first-time South Dakota CPA exam applicants currently use the Board’s initial exam application, which must be printed and mailed. Re-exam applicants may apply online or by mail.
You may log in to the South Dakota Board of Accountancy. Then you need complete the application form, submit your transcripts, and pay the applicable fees.
Suppose you have previously taken the examination in another jurisdiction. In that case, you must submit the Authorization for Interstate Exchange of Examination and Licensure Information form (BOA7) and the initial exam application form.
3. Sign Up for the CPA Exam
Once your application has been approved, you can select the CPA section you want to take and pay the necessary fees to the South Dakota Board of Accountancy. Once you receive the Notice to Schedule (NTS), you may visit Prometric or call 1-800-580-9648 to schedule your exam(s).
South Dakota’s current exam fee is $305.57 per section, which includes a $40 application processing fee.
Click here to see a breakdown of the South Dakota CPA exam costs.
4. Pass the Exams
The CPA exam consists of the three core sections and candidates would need to select one of the three discipline to demonstrate deeper skills and knowledge, allowing candidates to choose a specialization. There is no set order in which the exam portions must be completed.
You must pass each section with a score of 75 or higher within 30 months.
5. Ethics Exam
The candidate must also meet the South Dakota CPA ethics exam requirements by passing the AICPA’s Professional Ethics: The AICPA’s Comprehensive Course For Licensure, with a minimum passing score of 90%.
6. Meet the Experience Requirements
To meet the South Dakota CPA experience requirements, South Dakota requires 2,000 hours of accounting experience completed in no less than one year and no more than three years, verified by a CPA. To perform attest functions, the experience must also include 375 hours in compilations, audits, or reviews.
7. Apply for CPA License
Once you have met all the requirements, you may apply for your license through the South Dakota Board of Accountancy.
8. Renew Your South Dakota CPA License Every Three Years
To maintain your South Dakota CPA license, you must renew your South Dakota CPA certificate annually. Active certificate holders must complete at least 20 CPE hours each year and 120 hours in a rolling three-year period. Current Board materials show an active annual renewal fee of $100.
