CPA in North Dakota

Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for ND. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.

Median annual salary

$72,180

trending_down -11.6% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, North Dakota.

engineering

4,110

Jobs (ND)

monitoring Strong

+4.6%

10-yr job growth

payments

$1,250

Est. total cost

schedule

1-4 years post-bachelor's degree

Time to complete

route How to become a cpa in North Dakota

To become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in North Dakota, candidates must meet education, examination, and experience requirements set by the North Dakota State Board of Accountancy. This includes a bachelor's degree with 150 semester hours, passing the Uniform CPA Examination, and completing 2,000 hours of qualified accounting experience within one to four years. Additionally, candidates must pass the AICPA Ethics Exam and fulfill annual continuing education requirements to maintain their license.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $49,470

25th percentile $60,090

50th (median) $72,180

75th percentile $85,580

90th (experienced) $103,400

Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for North Dakota. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.

checklist North Dakota requirements

Licensing body	North Dakota State Board of Accountancy
State license	Required
Education	Bachelor's degree with 150 semester hours
Experience	2,000.0 hours
Exam	Uniform CPA Examination ($1,423)
Application fee	$120
Renewal	Every 1.0 year
Continuing education	120.0 hours per cycle
Reciprocity	ND offers reciprocity to CPAs from substantially equivalent states or those meeting specific experience criteria.Reciprocal states: North Dakota offers reciprocity to CPAs from substantially equivalent states or those who individually meet substantial equivalency. Traditional reciprocity is also available for those who passed the Uniform CPA Exam and have at least 4 years of experience within 10 years preceding the application, and fulfilled CPE requirements if their certificate was issued more than 4 years prior to application.
Notes	Minimum age: None. Requires passing the AICPA Ethics Exam. Social Security Number is required. Must complete 24 semester hours of accounting courses (excluding principles of accounting) and 24 semester hours of business courses. At least 20 CPE hours are required annually, with 6 hours of ethics CPE every 3 years. New licensees are exempt from CPE for the first annual renewal period.

Source: North Dakota State Board of Accountancy

Already licensed elsewhere and moving to North Dakota? See whether North Dakota recognizes an out-of-state credential — with the tier and pathway for all 50 states — in our CPA license reciprocity guide.

work_outline Job outlook

10-year growth

+4.6%

Faster than average

Annual openings

124,200

Nationwide per year

Total employment

1,579,800

Nationwide

neurology

AI & tech impact

error High exposure 1.48/1.00

Many tasks in this career are susceptible to AI automation. Long-term career planning should account for potential disruption.

hub

balance Is it worth it?

Rough payback period

0 months

~$1,250 investment ÷ $72,180 median salary

check_circleNorth Dakota license required — clearer credential signal to employers
warningElevated AI disruption risk

psychology

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Frequently asked questions

What are the steps to becoming a cpa in North Dakota? expand_more

To become a cpa in North Dakota, you need to complete the required education (Bachelor's degree with 150 semester hours), gain 2,000.0 hours of supervised experience, pass the Uniform CPA Examination, and submit your application ($120 fee).

Is a cpa license required in North Dakota? expand_more

North Dakota mandates state licensure for cpas. North Dakota State Board of Accountancy oversees the process, which includes passing the Uniform CPA Examination.

How much does a cpa make in North Dakota? expand_more

The median cpa salary in North Dakota is $72,180 per year. This trails the $81,680 national median by 12%. The range spans from $49,470 at the entry level to $103,400 for top earners.

What's the total cost to get cpa certified in North Dakota? expand_more

Plan on spending $1,250 total — that covers exam fee ($1,423) and application fee ($120) plus your education and training.

What's the timeline to become a cpa in North Dakota? expand_more

The typical timeline in North Dakota is 1-4 years post-bachelor's degree. This includes completing education, gaining any required experience, and passing the licensing exam.

What's required to renew a cpa license in North Dakota? expand_more

North Dakota requires 120.0 hours of continuing education every 1.0 year to maintain your cpa license.