2026 data North Dakota board official source

North Dakota Certified Public Accountant (CPA) License Requirements

State-board requirements, fees, and renewal cycle drawn from official regulator records.

Provides accounting and auditing services. Requires Uniform CPA Exam.

What the North Dakota data shows for Certified Public Accountant (CPA)s

To practice as a certified public accountant (cpa) in North Dakota, the state licensing board requires board-approved training, a passing score on Uniform CPA Examination, and 1 year of supervised work experience. A criminal history background check is also part of the application. Applicants must be at least 18 years old. The regulation sits under North Dakota's professional licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Bachelors Degree with 150 credit hours".

The initial price tag is $99, and renewal costs $88 every 2 years. Renewal isn't the end of the cost: 80 hours of continuing education are due every 2-year cycle, a recurring time commitment worth planning for.

On reciprocity, certified public accountant (cpa)s should know: CPA mobility: practice rights in all 55 US jurisdictions.

Licensing Ease Score

F
Licensing Ease Score
37/100
Certified Public Accountant (CPA) · North Dakota

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training N/A
N/A
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee C-
$99
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden C+
$44/yr
$88 every 2 years
Continuing Education F
40.0 hrs/yr
80 hours every 2 years
Experience Required F
1 year
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in North Dakota

Education / Training Hours
Bachelors Degree with 150 credit hours
Not specified
Exam Requirement
Uniform CPA Examination
Required
Initial License Fee
$99
Renewal Fee
$88
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Continuing Education
80 hrs/cycle
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
18 years
Work Experience Required
1 year
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with North Dakota licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in North Dakota?
North Dakota's requirements cover, the Uniform CPA Examination exam, and an initial fee of $99. Applicants also go through a criminal background check.
How do I get certified as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in North Dakota?
To become a licensed certified public accountant (cpa) in North Dakota, you must meet the state's requirements and 1 year of work experience. You must also pass the required examination. Contact the North Dakota licensing board to verify current requirements.
Can I transfer my Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license to North Dakota from another state?
Certified Public Accountant (CPA) licenses generally reciprocate as follows: CPA mobility: practice rights in all 55 US jurisdictions. Interstate licensing compacts cover many professions and can further ease a move between states. The North Dakota licensing board can confirm the current rules for your credential.
Does North Dakota require a background check for Certified Public Accountant (CPA) licensing?
Yes, North Dakota requires a criminal background check as part of the certified public accountant (cpa) licensing process. Disqualifying offenses and review criteria are determined by the state licensing board.
What are the continuing education requirements for Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in North Dakota?
Licensed certified public accountant (cpa)s in North Dakota must complete 80 hours of continuing education every 2 years. The renewal fee is $88.

What to do with this certified public accountant (cpa) license

Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in North Dakota, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in a certified public accountant (cpa)-wide, 50-state comparison.

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the North Dakota licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.