Using the CPA Credential

The Missouri Uniform Accountancy Act
The Missouri UAA brought Missouri law in line with current practice and created uniformity among state accounting laws.

The UAA created a one-tier licensing structure. All CPAs, in order to designate themselves as CPAs, now hold a license instead of a certificate.

Getting Your License

To earn a CPA license, you must fulfill 150 hours of higher education, pass the Uniform CPA exam and ethics exam, and complete one year of general experience, as verified by a licensed CPA.

Maintaining Your License

Maintaining a CPA license requires that you renew your license every two years and complete 120 hours of continuing professional education (CPE) every three years.  Earning an average of only 40 CPE hours annually often means five or fewer days out of the office.  Click here to find programs of interest to you.

CPE Resources Offered to MSCPA Members 

Earning CPE Credit

With MSCPA serving as a comprehensive source for high quality education, earning CPE to maintain your CPA license is easier than you may think. 

Consider these avenues offered by the MSCPA for earning CPE credit: 

• Live courses: to meet and network with other finance professionals while gaining new perspectives
• Conferences: tailored education that allows you to select the sessions you find most relevant
• On-site training: for companies with 10 or more professionals who have similar educational needs
• Live webcasts: available online
• Self-study: to earn credit on your own time and budget
• Alternative options: such as authoring articles, teaching CPE programs, or completing college or university courses 

IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT...

• Current certificate holders (from 8/28/01 back) are grandfathered for use of the CPA title and hold the lifetime credential. (If practicing public accounting, grandfathered certificate holders must hold a current license and comply with all requirements to maintain a CPA license.)
  
• If you choose to not maintain your license, the UAA created an “inactive” license status. Inactive status licensees must use the word “inactive” behind their CPA designation and may not practice public accounting in any setting. Inactive licensees will be required to pay a reduced licensure fee. 

If you have questions or concerns about your status as a CPA, contact the Missouri Society of CPAs at 800.264.7966 or the Missouri State Board of Accountancy at 573.751.0012.